Baked Falafel

Mezze party vibes! You cannot go wrong with hummus and falafel. This is my favourite crispy falafel, baked with very little oil.

They remind me of our festive ambode or masala vada, just a lighter, high fibre twist. No leftovers here.

Baked Falafel

Quick Details
Makes: about 20 falafel
Soaking time: overnight
Baking time: about 24 minutes
Diet: Vegetarian

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Course Starter

Cuisine Mediterranean

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup dried chickpeas soaked overnight
• 1 handful coriander
• 1 handful dill
• 1 handful parsley cleaned
• 2 onions roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri chilli powder
• 2 teaspoons coriander seed powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil plus 1 teaspoon per falafel
• 4 tablespoons besan gram flour

Instructions

 

• Blend the herbs. Add the coriander, dill and parsley to a food processor with the onions, cumin powder, chilli powder, coriander powder, salt and olive oil. Blitz.
• Add the chickpeas. Drain the soaked chickpeas and blend in batches to a coarse mixture.
• Bind. Transfer to a bowl, add the besan and mix well.
• Shape. Oil a baking tray. Roll tablespoon sized balls and flatten slightly on the tray. Add 1 teaspoon of oil on top of each.
• Bake. Bake at 200°C for 12 minutes, flip and bake for 12 minutes more.
• Serve. Serve with hummus and olives.

Video

Keyword Baked Falafel, Chickpea Falafel, Mezze

Tips for the Best Baked Falafel

• Use dried chickpeas soaked overnight. Canned chickpeas make the mixture too wet.
• Blend in batches to a coarse texture, not a paste.
• The besan helps bind the mixture, so do not skip it.
• Flatten them slightly on the tray so they cook through evenly.

Storage

Shaped, unbaked falafel can be frozen. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fry them instead?
Yes. Shallow or deep fry until golden.

What do I serve them with?
Hummus, olives, pita or a fresh salad.

Make these for your next mezze night and tell me if your plate stays as empty as mine. Watch the recipe video on YouTube and follow @askdeepa_ on Instagram for more.