Bakedchickpeafalafel Recipes

FALAFEL RECIPE WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Add chickpeas to a large bowl and rinse them well at least thrice. Soak them in fresh water for at least 12 hours.
• After the soak, discard the water and rinse them well with fresh water. Drain them to a colander.
• Add chickpeas, cumin, coriander, pepper, cayenne, salt, onion, garlic, parsley and flour to a food processor or a grinder. Process to a coarse mixture without adding water.
• The mixture must resemble the texture of wheat semolina or couscous and not like a smooth paste. If the mixture is not processed well the balls can fall apart while frying in the oil.
• Test the processed dough by taking a small portion (1½ to 2 tbsps.) to your palm and press it down with your fingers and shape to a ball. The mixture should hold shape. If not process a little more until it passes this test.
• Optionally refrigerate for an hour. This step helps the mixture to bind well. This mixture keeps good in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• When you are ready to fry the falafel, add baking powder. I use it only for the air fryer and baked versions and don't if frying.
• On a medium flame, heat oil in a deep pan just enough to partially immerse the falafel. Too much oil in the pan can sometimes disintegrate the falafel. (check the pictures)
• Test 1: Drop a small portion of dough to the hot oil, it should come up to the surface steadily without turning brown. This means the oil is ready to fry.
• Test 2: Shape 1½ to 2 tbsps. dough to a ball pressing it firmly with your fingers. Gently drop it in the hot oil & do not disturb until it becomes firm for about 2 mins. It should not fall apart, meaning your mixture is just right.
• Troubleshooting: If the falafel falls apart, add more flour or process the mixture a bit more.
• Make lemon sized balls and press them gently with your fingers to bind the mixture well. If you want you may flatten them slightly. You should be able to make about 25 to 30 falafel.
• Regulate the flame to medium, Gently slide them one after the other to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Do not disturb them for a minute or two until they cook a bit and firm up.
• Later turn them to the other side and deep fry them on a medium flame until golden & crisp. Remove the falafel to a steel colander, rack or kitchen towel.
• Serve falafel with your Tahini sauce or yogurt dip. You can also stuff in halved pita bread along with pickled veggies, toum or tahini sauce.
• To bake in oven, flatten the falafels to shape like patties. Preheat the oven to 400F or 200 C for at least 15 to 20 mins. Place the falafels on a greased tray and spray them with oil generously.
• Bake them for 12 mins and turn them to the other side gently. Continue to bake for another 12 mins until crisp and done. Over baking makes them dry.
• I prefer to flatten the balls to patties. Place them in the air fryer basket and air fry for 9 mins at 390F or 200 C. Turn them to the other side and fry for another 6 to 7 minutes until crisp.
• If you air fry them too long they will become dry. I prefer to spray them with oil after air frying.
• To make tahini sauce - I use ¾ cup tahini, ¼ cup + 2 tbsp warm water, 2 large garlic cloves, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, salt as needed, 2 tsp finely chopped fresh parsley. Process all the ingredients in a processor until pale, creamy and thick.
• To make a quick yogurt dip, use ¾ cup greek yogurt or hung curd, 1 tsp lemon juice, salt, 1 garlic clove, deseeded green chili (optional). Blend them and add parsley.

FALAFEL WITH CANNED CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Mash chickpeas in a bowl using a masher. Combine mashed chickpeas, onions, parsley, and garlic in a blender and blend until smooth.
• Mix eggs, cumin, coriander, salt, lemon juice, baking powder, black pepper, and cayenne together in a bowl. Add chickpea mixture and mix together. Add bread crumbs slowly and combine using your hands until mixture isn't sticky, but will hold together when frying.
• Heat oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Form mixture into about 12 patties about as wide as the palm of your hand. Fry patties in the hot oil until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

BAKED FALAFEL WITH CUCUMBERS AND TAHINI

Steps:

• Put a baking sheet on the middle oven rack and preheat to 450 degrees F. Pulse 2 cups cilantro, 1 cup onion, the garlic, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the chickpeas and 2 tablespoons tahini; pulse to make a chunky paste. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and stir in the panko.
• Form the chickpea mixture into twelve 2-inch patties (about 2 tablespoons each). Remove the baking sheet from the oven, brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the chickpea patties. Bake, flipping the patties and rotating the pan halfway through, until golden and crisp, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1/3 cup tahini with 6 tablespoons warm water and the juice of 1 lemon in a small bowl until creamy (it may look separated at first but it will come together). Season with salt and pepper; set aside. Toss the cucumbers with the juice of the remaining lemon, 1 cup cilantro, 1/2 cup sliced onion and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Warm the pita in the oven. Serve the falafel with the cucumber salad, pita and tahini sauce.

BAKED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Wrap onion in cheese cloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Set aside. Place garbanzo beans, parsley, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and baking soda in a food processor. Process until the mixture is coarsely pureed. Mix garbanzo bean mixture and onion together in a bowl. Stir in the flour and egg. Shape mixture into four large patties and let stand for 15 minutes.
• Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patties in the skillet; cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.
• Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes.

BAKED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line two baking sheets with baking parchment. Tip the chickpeas, ground cumin, ground coriander, the cayenne pepper, onion, garlic, sesame seeds, baking powder, parsley stalks and 1 tbsp water into a food processor. Blitz until combined but not smooth (you want the falafel to have some texture, rather than being the consistency of hummus).
• Season to taste, then roll into 18 evenly sized balls. Flatten each ball into a disc shape and arrange on the baking sheets, then brush the tops with 1 tbsp of the oil. Bake for 20 mins until golden and crisp, turning halfway through cooking.

BAKED CHICKPEA FALAFEL

Steps:

• Place the dried chickpeas in a large bowl and soak overnight in plenty of cold water.
• Drain the chickpeas and rinse them. Pick over and remove nay discoloured or bad looking chickpeas.
• Place the soaked chickpeas into a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for ten minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer for one hour, or until soft. Drain.
• Place the chickpeas into a food processore with the onion, garlic, parsley, crushed cumin, crushed corainder and baking powder. Add salt and pepper to taste. Process until the mixture forms a firm paste.
• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F ).
• Divide the mixture into walnut sized pieces. Roll them into balls in your hands and then flatten them slightly.
• Roll the balls in olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.
• Bake for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Serve falafel immediately.

FALAFEL: CHICKPEA PATTIES

Steps:

• Make the Falafel: Soak the chickpeas in cold water in the refrigerator overnight.
• Drain the chickpeas and place them with the onion in the bowl of a food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the oil. Mix well. Process the mixture a second time. Form the mixture into walnut-sized balls and deep-fry or pan-fry in hot oil.
• Make the Sandwiches: Stuff the pitas with lettuce and nestle the falafel patties inside. Top with the rest of the ingredients and drizzle with the tahini sauce. Serve immediately.
• Mash the garlic and salt together. Add the tahini, mixing well. The sauce will thicken. Gradually add the water, blending thoroughly. Then add the lemon juice. Blend well.
• Note: This can be a thin or thick sauce, depending upon the use and preference. Simply adjust with lemon juice and water. This can be used with vegetables or in combination with other recipes.

BAKED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans. Put in a medium sized bowl and smash with a fork.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
• Form into small balls, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and slightly flatten. Place onto an oiled baking pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes on each side, until nicely browned (since it's baked, only the part actually touching the pan will be browned and crispy).
• Serving suggestion: Stuff in mini pita pockets with hummus, tahini sauce, tomatoes, lettuce and/or cucumber.