Create delicious vegan Millet Meatballs using cooked millet, ground nuts, and sunflower seeds. Packed with flavor and nutrients, they're perfect for a plant-based meal

Mom's Millet Meatballs are packed with nutrition and flavor. These meatless meatballs are a game-changer for your next meal. Made with cooked millet, ground nuts, and sunflower seeds, these delectable bites will win over even the most dedicated carnivores!

❤️ Why you'll love it

Tried and True Family Recipe: this recipe comes from my mom who is a long time flexitarian! They have 11 g protein and 7 g fiber per serving!

Vegan recipe: this recipe makes the perfect vegan meatballs to serve with a classic spaghetti and marinara sauce.

Nutty flavor and great texture: these millet balls have a great nutty flavor and the outside texture is nice and crispy.

Raw millet in a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon.

🥘 Ingredients

Raw millet: I like to buy raw, organic hulled millet.

Sea salt

Sweet paprika

Dried bread crumbs

Roasted pecans: roasted nuts add more flavor to the millet balls.

Raw sunflower seeds

Chicken Like Seasoning: I use McKay's brand, it is a vegan powder, and no animal products in this at all.

Onion powder

Black pepper (optional)

🔪 How to make Millet Meatballs

In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the millet according to package instructions. Once millet is cooked, allow it to cool completely before proceeding.
In a medium bowl, mix together the millet, salt, pepper, paprika, bread crumbs, ground pecans, sunflower seeds, chicken flavored seasoning, and onion powder.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Shape into tablespoon sized balls.
Place millet meatballs on prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, turning meatballs over once halfway through cook time, until golden brown.

A collage with mom cooking in her kitchen.

🥄 Equipment

Large skillet

Food processor

Mixing bowls

Cookie scoop

Baking sheet

Parchment paper

🥫Storage

Refrigerate: store millet meatballs in an airtight container up to 4-5 days.

Freezer: for longer storage, freeze millet balls in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months.

Reheat: warm thawed millet balls in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

📖 Variations

Spice it Up: Add a pinch of chili flakes or cayenne pepper for some heat.

Herb infusion: Incorporate finely chopped fresh basil and minced garlic cloves for added flavor and color.

Dipping Sauces: Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like vegan ranch, barbecue, or tomato sauce.

Fried millet balls: Fry in a large skillet with hot vegetable oil or olive oil until crispy and golden brown on each side.

Cheese Flavored Millet Meatballs: keep it vegan but give it a cheesy flavor by adding a tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast flakes.

A small white bowl full of vegan meatballs.

💭 Tips

For a nuttier flavor, toast millet in a large skillet over medium high heat for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant. Then proceed with cooking the millet.
Keep a bowl of water close by when shaping the millet mixture into ball shapes. Periodically dampen the palms of your hands when shaping the meatballs to prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
Bake the meatballs a little longer than 20 minutes to make them a little more crispy.
It's best to serve the meatballs beside the marinara sauce, as they will fall apart easily once they are in a sauce.
Cook millet the day before making meatballs and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

🙋 FAQ's about Millet

What is millet?

Millet is a gluten free grain, you can cook and use it whole, or it can be ground and used as flour.

Do you need to soak millet before cooking with it?

Millet does not need to be soaked, but it is ok to do so if you wish.

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🍽 Serve with..

Serve these millet balls just like you would a classic spaghetti and meatball recipe. Top spaghetti noodles with your favorite marinara sauce and the meatballs on the side with a sweet dinner roll.

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When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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📖 Recipe