Kid-Friendly Veggie Black Bean Nuggets

This Kid-Friendly Veggie Black Bean Nuggets post is sponsored by Produce For Kids. All opinions are my own.

I’m guilty. Guilty as all get out.

 

I feed my kids nuggets, and not just once a week. Sometimes it’s literally the only thing I can muster to make, sometimes it’s the only thing they’ll actually eat. And as with most moms my age, I feel pretty guilty about it.

 

Until now.

 

See, I’ve figured out a great way to make nuggets using produce from the fantastic Produce for Kids sponsors, and my children are just as happy as they were with the chicken version. And while I promise to never lie and say that these don’t take a little extra work, the results are so worth it. Especially when you consider all of the veggie goodness your kiddos will actually be ASKING to eat!

 

I have the pleasure of partnering with Produce for Kids again this year, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s an amazing organization that offers shoppers at my local Harp’s grocery stores healthy meal solutions and registered dietitian-approved recipes and tips while supporting local Feeding America® food banks. With official Produce for Kids signage in Harp’s stores it’s easy to see how buying produce locally will help in giving back to your local community. For a list of the amazing sponsors check out the end of this post – this program wouldn’t be possible without them!

Feeding America® is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States, providing food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America® also supports programs that improve food security among the people they serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger.

 

Not only can you make these veggie black bean nuggets (and I totally suggest you do because YUM), you can also find 300+ registered dietitian-approved and family-tested recipes, meal planning tools, grocery store specific campaign details, and healthy tips from real parents. Free resources are a great friend, trust me! You can also find Produce for Kids on all things social media for healthy eating tips all year long: on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more recipe ideas and healthy eating tips all year long (not to mention following the hashtag #produceforkids as a way to win at life too)!

VEGGIE BLACK BEAN NUGGETS

Makes about 25-30 nuggets

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Green Giant™ Fresh Cauliflower Crumbles®
• 1/2 of a RealSweet® Sweet Onions onion, roughly chopped
• 1 8-ounce package mushrooms, cleaned and roughly chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 whole eggs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• olive oil for cooking

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Toss together the bag of Green Giant™ Fresh Cauliflower Crumbles®, chopped RealSweet® Sweet Onions onion, chopped mushrooms, and black beans.
3. Spread into an even layer on a large baking sheet.
4. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes until the cauliflower is tender and the beans are starting to split.
5. Allow to cool for about 15 minutes on the pan.
6. Add about 2/3 of the mixture to a blender or food processor.
7. Add the eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
8. Blend/process on high, scraping down the sides, until the mixture is very finely chopped.
9. Add it back to the bowl with the remaining mixture.
10. Stir until well combined.
11. Heat the oven to 425.
12. While the oven is heating up, scoop the nugget “batter” with a cookie scoop, then gently shape them into nugget shapes.
13. Gently toss each nugget in the Panko bread crumbs, then mist (if you have an oil mister) or brush with olive oil.
14. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
15. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to cool, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
16. Enjoy!

Sponsors:

• AMC North America Grapes
• Eat Smart® Bagged Vegetables & Salads
• Avocados From Mexico
• Chelan Fresh Apples
• DOLE® Chopped Salad Kits
• Green Giant™ Fresh Cauliflower Crumbles®, Brussels Sprouts & Living Lettuce
• the Little Potato Company packaged potatoes
• Melissa’s Specialty Produce
• Michigan Apples
• organicgirl good clean greens
• Red Sun Farms Greenhouse Vegetables
• RPE, Inc Russet Potatoes
• Sage Fruit® Apples, Pears & Stone Fruit
• Schmieding Produce Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Watermelon and Pumpkins
• RealSweet® Sweet Onions
• Sunkist® Citrus
• Wonderful Halos, Pistachios and Pom Wonderful Juice

For more awesome recipes check out the Produce for Kids Recipe section!