Go Back
+ servings
black bean kofta on pita bread with red onions.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Vegan Black Beak Kofta Recipe

Vegan black bean kofta recipe with black beans, bulgur, and spices shaped into bars, balls, or baked or air-fried patties with no added oil.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Turkish
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 4
Calories: 259kcal

Ingredients

Koftas

  • 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • ½ cup bulgur medium or coarse
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 ½ cups cooked black beans 1 can, rinsed and drained
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sumac see notes for substitution
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • To make the flax egg, combine 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Cook the bulgur with 1 cup of water over medium heat. Cover and simmer it for 10-15 minutes until the water is absorbed. After it cooks, drain it in a small mesh strainer and press the bulgur with the back of a spoon to get it as dry as possible.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 F. (200 C.). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  • Place the black beans in a large mixing bowl. Mash the beans with a fork or potato masher. For a smoother consistency, you can pulse them in a food processor.
  • Mix in the soy sauce, cooked bulgur, flax egg, garlic, breadcrumbs, and spices. Knead the kofta mixture with your hands so it is sticky and holds together when you form a ball.
  • Turn the mixture onto a cutting board and divide it into six pieces. Form bars or cylinders that are about ¾ of an inch thick. Split each piece in half so that you end up with 12. Alternatively, you can make kofta balls (18-24).
  • In a medium bowl, add the black beans. Mash the bean with a fork or masher. For a smoother consistency, you can pulse them in a food processor.
  • Place each kofta on the baking tray, separated into a single layer. Bake for 20 minutes, flip them over, and bake for another 10 minutes.

How to Air Fry Kofta

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375 F. Add the kofta separated, in a single layer, in the air fryer basket. Cook for a total of 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Notes

  • Bulgur, cracked wheat, is not gluten-free, so substitute it with quinoa if needed. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and Tamari rather than soy sauce.
  • The best substitute for sumac is lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • Store leftover kofta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Wrap them in foil before reheating in the oven so they don't get too crispy. Or reheat them in the microwave.
  • Baked kofta can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly or store them in a freezer bag.
  • Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the koftas, the method of cooking, and the differences in your oven or air fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 949mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 172IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 4mg