This crispy baked falafel recipe is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this Middle Eastern classic. The falafel are made with a combination of chickpeas and lentils, and they are seasoned with a blend of cumin, coriander, parsley, and cilantro. The falafel are then baked until they are golden brown and crispy. Serve the falafel with your favorite tahini-lemon sauce.
Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish that is made from chickpeas or fava beans. The chickpeas or fava beans are soaked overnight and then ground into a paste. The paste is then mixed with spices and herbs, and formed into balls. The balls are then fried or baked until they are golden brown and crispy. Falafel is often served with a tahini-lemon sauce. This recipe for crispy baked falafel is a healthier version of the traditional recipe. The falafel are baked instead of fried, and they are made with a combination of chickpeas and lentils. This makes the falafel lower in fat and calories, and higher in protein and fiber.
Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 25 | Serves: 4
Ingredients
1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
1 cup dried lentils, soaked overnight
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Drain the chickpeas and lentils and rinse well.
In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, lentils, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, and coriander.
Mash the mixture until it is well combined and forms a sticky dough.
Form the dough into 1-inch balls.
Place the falafel on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Serve the falafel with the tahini-lemon sauce.
Why It Works
Soaking the chickpeas and lentils overnight helps to soften them and make them easier to grind.
The combination of chickpeas and lentils makes the falafel more nutritious and flavorful.
Baking the falafel instead of frying them makes them lower in fat and calories.