Step 1

Add oats to food processor and pulse to combine until coarsely ground. Add to large bowl. Repeat process for onion and black beans. You will likely have to scrape the sides of the bowl for the beans a few times. Feel free to leave some larger pieces where you can still see the skin.

Step 2

Add the rest of the ingredients for the burger patties into the bowl and stir with a silicone spatula until combined.

Step 3

The mixture should stick to your hands a little bit when you form the patties, but for the most part, you should be able to form a patty that will hold its shape. If this doesn't appear to be the case, return the mix to the bowl and either add more pulsed oats 2 Tbsp at a time or let the mixture sit for 20-30 minutes to dry out. Try again until you reach the right consistency.

Step 4

If you are making the burger like the picture, jump down to the 2nd part of the recipe. If not, continue here. Add two patties to a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Let cook for about 5 minutes before flipping. If the patties are cooked, they should release from the pan easily. If they don't, give them a few more minutes to brown. Repeat the process on the other side and then again for the rest of the patties.

Step 5

Serve the patties however you'd like. The patty mix keeps well in the refrigerator for about a week so you can prep it ahead of time and make them as needed. If the patty mix is cold, it helps to put a lid on the skillet as you cook it to ensure the middle gets warm.

Step 6

Add two patties to a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Let cook for about 5 minutes before flipping. If the patties are cooked, they should release from the pan easily. If they don't, give them a few more minutes to brown. After flipping, place a piece of vegan cheese on top and cover the skillet with a lid. Once the cheese has melted, remove from the skillet and repeat the process for the rest of the patties.

Step 7

In another non-stick skillet, add sliced red bell pepper and red onion. Sauté on medium-high or until you see some nice dark char marks and reduce heat to low. Cook for an additional 5 minutes and set aside.

Step 8

Toast the buns using the method of your choice - I used my toaster oven, but you can use one of the nonstick skillets or carefully broil them in the oven.

Step 9

Place the bottom buns toasted side up and add a tablespoon of BBQ sauce on top. Then, add the oil-free black bean burger patty and a few pepper and onion slices. Add a tablespoon of vegan mayo to the top bun and sandwich the whole thing together. Serve with chips and salsa, potatoes, or other veggies!