Description
This Healthy Baked Falafel recipe offers a deliciously crispy exterior with a soft, flavorful interior made from chickpeas, fresh herbs, and aromatic spices. Baked instead of fried, these falafels are a nutritious, gluten-free, vegan option perfect for stuffing into pita bread or serving over salad for a wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15 ounces chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- ½ cup white onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup fresh parsley (lightly packed)
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (lightly packed)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed (or one egg)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil (for greasing the pan)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the falafel.
- Add chickpeas, finely diced onions, fresh parsley, and cilantro to a food processor fitted with an “S” blade. Process until well combined but still slightly chunky to maintain some texture.
- Add sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, coriander, cumin, baking powder, and ground flaxseed (acting as an egg substitute) into the food processor. Process until the mixture is finely ground and holds together, forming a dough-like consistency that will ball up easily.
- Generously grease a large baking sheet with olive oil to prevent sticking and help the falafel crisp during baking.
- Using approximately 2 tablespoons of mixture per falafel, roll into balls and then flatten slightly into discs. Place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to ensure even cooking.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the falafels for 20 minutes until the bottom side is golden and firm.
- Carefully flip each falafel to the other side and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy on both sides.
- Remove falafels from oven and serve warm with tzatziki sauce, inside pita bread, or over a fresh salad for a healthy and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 falafel
- Calories: 38.1
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 1.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5.4 g
- Fiber: 1.3 g
- Protein: 1.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg