Chickpea and Ham Balls
Chickpea and ham balls are a savoury starter or snack made with dry cured ham, floury potatoes, Parmesan and cooked chickpeas. The Thermomix weighs, chops, grates and mixes everything into a consistent mixture, so you only shape and fry. Golden outside, soft and fragrant inside, they are ideal for gatherings or a quick weeknight bite.
About this recipe
Chickpea and Ham Balls Thermomix TM7 style bring a rustic Italian-inspired starter to your table with remarkably little effort. When people search for chickpea recipes Thermomix or easy appetiser TM7, they want something that looks handmade but comes together quickly in an all-in-one kitchen machine, and these golden balls deliver exactly that. The TM7 weighs the flour directly into the bowl, chops the dry cured ham and parsley to an even fineness, grates the Parmesan freshly, and blends the cooked chickpeas with floury potatoes into a mixture that holds its shape beautifully during frying. Serve them hot at a drinks party, tuck them into a lunchbox, or pair them with a fresh salad for a quick weeknight dinner. Every ball stays crisp outside and tender within, thanks to the consistent texture the machine achieves in seconds.
Preparation tips
- Chill the chickpea and ham mixture in the fridge before shaping so the balls firm up and hold together better during frying, giving a crispier crust and a moist, tender centre.
- For a deeper flavour, briefly dry the diced ham in a frying pan before adding it to the Thermomix bowl; this concentrates its saltiness and adds a lovely chewy texture to the finished balls.
- Serve the warm balls with a yogurt and parsley dip or a squeeze of lemon; children enjoy smaller, bite-sized versions packed into their lunchbox the next day.
Recipe variations
- Vegetarian version: replace the dry cured ham with smoked paprika-spiced sun-dried tomatoes and a little extra Parmesan; the chickpeas and potatoes keep the balls beautifully firm and full of flavour.
- Festive variation: roll the shaped balls in sesame seeds or finely chopped pistachios before frying and serve on cocktail sticks with a garlic yogurt dip at Christmas or New Year parties.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing accuracy - The Thermomix weighs the flour and chickpeas directly in the bowl for consistent balls every time. [Built-in scale]
- Quick chopping - The TM7 chops the dry cured ham and parsley evenly in seconds without a board. [Chopping]
- Fresh grating - Grate Parmesan cheese in the Thermomix bowl for maximum savoury depth. [Grating]
- Even blending - The TM7 mixes chickpeas and potatoes into a uniform, shapeable mixture. [Mixing]
- Gentle steaming - Steam the floury potatoes in the Varoma so they stay fluffy, not soggy. [Steaming]
Ingredients
- floury potatoes
- Parmesan cheese
- cooked chickpeas
- fresh parsley
- large egg
- fine sea salt
- ground pepper
- flour
- dry-cured ham, diced
- extra virgin olive oil