Crispy Baked Chickpea Falafels
Indulge in these delicious, crispy baked chickpea falafels—an easy and healthy twist on the classic Middle Eastern dish. Traditionally enjoyed in warm pita bread accompanied by fresh veggies and tahini sauce, these falafels also shine as a delightful appetizer or as a tasty side dish. Packed with protein and fiber from chickpeas, combined with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, these bite-sized delights can please everyone at your table. Perfect for lunch, snacking, or adding some zest to your dinner spread, they are sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
20
Servings
60
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chickpeas
1 (15-19 ounce can, drained)
Dry breadcrumbs
1 (cup)
Eggs
2 (large)
Fresh parsley
2 (tablespoons, chopped)
Olive oil
1 (tablespoon)
Lemon juice
1 (teaspoon)
Garlic powder
1 (teaspoon)
Salt
1/2 (teaspoon)
Pepper
1/2 (teaspoon)
Ground cumin
1/2 (teaspoon)
Vegetable oil
1/2 (cup)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2
In a food processor, add the drained chickpeas, dry breadcrumbs, eggs, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cumin. Pulse until the mixture is well blended but still has some texture.
3
Using your hands, form the mixture into 1.5-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart.
4
Flatten each ball gently with the bottom of a heavy cup until they are around 0.5 inches thick.
5
Brush each falafel lightly with vegetable oil to help them achieve a golden brown color.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. They should be golden brown on both sides.
Nutrition Information
2.5g
Fat
7.5g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
2.25g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Baked Chickpea Falafels?
They are a healthy and easy twist on a classic Middle Eastern dish made from chickpeas, spices, and herbs, baked until crispy instead of deep-fried.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, these falafels are vegetarian-friendly.
How many calories are in one serving of these falafels?
Each serving contains approximately 60 calories.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 20 servings.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Do I need to use canned or dried chickpeas?
This recipe calls for one 15-19 ounce can of chickpeas, drained.
What is the total baking time?
The falafels bake for a total of 20 minutes.
Should I flip the falafels while baking?
Yes, you should flip them halfway through the 20-minute baking time to ensure even browning.
What size should the falafel balls be before flattening?
You should form the mixture into 1.5-inch balls.
How thick should the falafels be after flattening?
Flatten them gently until they are about 0.5 inches thick.
What is used to bind the falafel mixture?
The recipe uses two large eggs and dry breadcrumbs as binding agents.
Are these falafels gluten-free?
No, this recipe contains dry breadcrumbs which typically contain gluten.
Can I make these falafels vegan?
This specific recipe contains eggs, so it is not vegan as written.
What spices are used in this recipe?
The spices include garlic powder, salt, pepper, and ground cumin.
What fresh herbs are included?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley.
Why do I need to brush them with vegetable oil?
Brushing them lightly with oil helps the falafels achieve a desirable golden brown color while baking.
How much protein is in each serving?
There is 1.5g of protein per serving.
How much fiber is in these falafels?
Each serving provides 2.25g of fiber.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 7.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 2.5g of fat.
What equipment is needed to mix the ingredients?
A food processor is recommended to pulse the ingredients until well blended but textured.
How should the baking sheet be prepared?
Line it with parchment paper or spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
What can I serve with these falafels?
They are traditionally served in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.
Can these be served as an appetizer?
Yes, they make an excellent appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Does the recipe use lemon juice?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice is added for zest and flavor.
How far apart should the falafels be placed on the baking sheet?
Space them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
What method is used to flatten the falafel balls?
You can use the bottom of a heavy cup to gently flatten each ball.
Is olive oil used in the mixture?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of olive oil is mixed into the falafel dough.
Is this considered a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is described as a healthy twist on the classic dish because it is baked and contains protein and fiber.
What is the final appearance of the falafels?
They should be golden brown on both sides when finished baking.