Falafel burgers are a delicious take on traditional falafel! They’re very easy to make and great for lunch or dinner. Be sure to mix the dough thoroughly before baking—the patties won’t stick together if the mixture isn’t blended well enough.
Ingredients
- 400g chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 small red onion, roughly chopped
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- a couple of flat-leaf parsley or curly parsley
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp harissa paste or chili powder
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- toasted pitta bread, to serve
- 200g tub tomato salsa, to serve
- green salad, to serve
Method:
Soak the onion in a cup of water for 5 minutes. This step is optional, but I find that it helps prevent my falafel burgers from burning and being too dry.
Drain and squeeze out the excess water from onions using your hands. Use a paper towel to soak up the remaining water. Squeeze the water out of the paper towel with your hands.
Put the chickpeas in a bowl and mash with a fork. Mash and crush them until they are smooth and creamy.
Add the garbanzo beans, garlic, parsley or cilantro (if using), tahini, lemon juice, and salt to the bowl with the chickpeas. Mash everything together with a fork until well incorporated. Add a little at a time to get just enough water to make it stick together in balls. You may not need all of it—or you may need more.
Add the baking powder and mix well again until it’s evenly distributed throughout your falafel mixture.
Mix until everything is well blended together. Don’t over-mix, or it will be too mushy. Don’t under-mix, or it will be too dry and crumbly (and therefore not a burger at all). But don’t worry—you can always fix that by adding more chickpeas!
Roll into balls
Form the dough into small balls about 1-inch in diameter each. Use a small scoop or spoon to get the right size and shape, and make sure your hands are dry before starting so that you don’t accidentally stick to the dough. If you need to, wet your hands with water from a small bowl (just enough for them not to stick).
If you’re using a cookie scoop, it’s important that all of your balls are the same size; otherwise, they will bake unevenly and fall apart when eating!
Next, you’re going to flatten each ball into patties about 3/4-inch thick. Do not make them too thin or they will fall apart when you bake them. You can make them as big as you want or as small as you want and they won’t matter if they are round or oval-shaped, but try to keep it consistent so all of your patties are the same thickness and size.
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place falafel patties on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes i.e. (Bake for 10 minutes, then flip over and bake for another 10 minutes or until firm throughout but still soft on top), flipping halfway through baking time. Bake until golden brown.
Falafel burgers are easy to make!
Falafel burgers are easy to make! They’re healthy, delicious, and can be enjoyed in various ways.
Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern food made from ground chickpeas (usually fava beans) or fava beans and spices. Chickpeas themselves are a great source of protein and fiber, making falafels a good choice if you’re trying to watch your weight or eat healthier. The spices used in this recipe—coriander (cilantro), cumin, paprika, and turmeric—give it its distinct flavor while also providing many health benefits:
- Cilantro has been shown to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of histamine when consumed;
- Turmeric contains curcuminoids that have anti-inflammatory properties;
- Cumin may help manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels while lowering cholesterol;
So, there it is – a simple and delicious recipe for falafel burgers. Once you’ve tried them, let me know what you think in the comments below!
