Description
Homemade Mediterranean Street Falafel offers a healthier twist on classic deep-fried favorites. Quick baked chickpea fritters deliver crispy exterior and tender interior, letting cooks enjoy authentic flavors without excess oil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup fresh cilantro (or parsley)
- 4 tbsps oat flour (or any flour)
- ⅓ cup shallots, roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp ground coriander
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mixture Creation: In a food processor, combine drained chickpeas, shallots, garlic, cilantro, salt, cumin, lemon zest, coriander, cayenne pepper, and oat flour. Pulse until a coarse, slightly sticky mixture forms that holds together when pressed, avoiding over-processing into a smooth paste.
- Falafel Shaping: Using clean hands, form the chickpea mixture into compact, uniform round balls or patties approximately 2 inches in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Baking Process: Arrange falafel pieces on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between each piece. Bake for 20-24 minutes total, flipping halfway through to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior on all sides.
- Resting and Serving: Allow falafel to rest for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven. Serve warm nestled in soft pita bread, accompanied by fresh lettuce, pickled onions, tomatoes, tzatziki sauce, and additional hummus for a complete Mediterranean-style meal.
Notes
- Chickpea Texture Tip: Avoid over-processing the mixture to maintain a coarse, slightly chunky consistency that helps falafel hold its shape and provides a satisfying texture.
- Moisture Management: Drain and thoroughly pat dry canned chickpeas to prevent soggy falafel and ensure a crispy exterior during baking.
- Binding Brilliance: Oat flour acts as a crucial binder, helping the falafel patties stay together without deep-frying while adding nutritional value.
- Crispy Coating Hack: Space falafel pieces evenly on the baking sheet and flip midway through cooking to achieve a golden-brown, crisp exterior on all sides.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg