Baked Falafel Balls: A Delightful Fusion of Middle Eastern and Western Cuisine
Falafel, a traditional Middle Eastern dish, has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide with its unique blend of flavors and textures. These deep-fried chickpea or fava bean balls, seasoned with herbs and spices, have long been a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. However, in recent years, baked falafel has emerged as a healthier and equally delicious alternative to its fried counterpart. This article presents a collection of baked falafel ball recipes that cater to various dietary preferences and culinary skills.
From classic falafel balls made with chickpeas and tahini to innovative recipes incorporating lentils, quinoa, and vegetables, this article offers a diverse range of options for creating delicious and nutritious falafel at home. Whether you're a vegan seeking plant-based protein, a health-conscious individual looking for a low-fat option, or simply a culinary enthusiast seeking new flavors, these baked falafel ball recipes are sure to satisfy your taste buds. With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and vibrant images, this article will guide you through the process of creating perfect baked falafel balls that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
In addition to the classic falafel ball recipe, this article also features exciting variations such as:
- Lentil Falafel Balls: These falafel balls combine lentils and chickpeas for a protein-packed and fiber-rich option that's perfect for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Quinoa Falafel Balls: For a gluten-free and protein-rich twist, these falafel balls incorporate quinoa, adding a nutty flavor and a boost of nutrients.
- Vegetable Falafel Balls: Packed with colorful vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers, these falafel balls are a great way to increase your veggie intake and create a vibrant and flavorful dish.
- Baked Falafel Balls with Tahini Sauce: This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to making classic falafel balls and pairs them with a creamy and tangy tahini sauce, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
- Air Fryer Falafel Balls: For those seeking a healthier and convenient cooking method, this recipe shows you how to make crispy falafel balls using an air fryer, reducing oil consumption and cooking time.
Each recipe includes detailed instructions, ingredient lists, and nutritional information, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable cooking experience. Whether you're planning a casual family meal, hosting a party, or simply looking for a healthier snack alternative, these baked falafel ball recipes are sure to impress and delight your palate.
BAKED FALAFEL BALLS
You will love these little falafel balls that are soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside...without frying in oil! Serve in a pita with your favorite cucumber sauce.
Provided by Geema
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 20h50m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Bring water to a boil and remove from the heat.
- Mix in the bulgur.
- Cover well and allow the wheat to sit until all the water is absorbed -- about 20 minutes.
- Heat the olive oil in a small pan and saute the onion and garlic over medium heat until the onion is just transparent.
- Add red chili flakes, cumin, and coriander and saute for 1 more minute.
- Combine the chickpeas and bulgur in a food processor. Add the lemon juice, bread crumbs, cilantro, parsley and salt and process until just mixed, and has a pleasing texture.
- Set mixture aside for 15 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Form falafel mixture into 2 inch balls and place on a lightly oiled sheet pan.
- Spray the balls with some olive oil.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden, turning the pan once during baking.
- A.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 137.7, Fat 3.4, SaturatedFat 0.5, Sodium 222.4, Carbohydrate 23.1, Fiber 4, Sugar 1.3, Protein 4.6
BAKED FALAFEL
An easy, yummy way to make falafel. Serve with pita bread and your favorite tzatziki.
Provided by Bette
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegetarian
Time 55m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Wrap onion in cheese cloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Set aside. Place garbanzo beans, parsley, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and baking soda in a food processor. Process until the mixture is coarsely pureed. Mix garbanzo bean mixture and onion together in a bowl. Stir in the flour and egg. Shape mixture into four large patties and let stand for 15 minutes.
- Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patties in the skillet; cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side.
- Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and bake until heated through, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 281.1 calories, Carbohydrate 39.3 g, Cholesterol 93 mg, Fat 9.3 g, Fiber 7.2 g, Protein 11.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.6 g, Sodium 909.4 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
BAKED FALAFEL
These easy baked falafel balls are ideal for a healthy lunch. Serve with a fresh tabbouleh salad or stuffed inside a pitta for a filling veggie dish
Provided by Sophie Godwin - Cookery writer
Categories Lunch, Side dish, Supper
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line two baking sheets with baking parchment. Tip the chickpeas, ground cumin, ground coriander, the cayenne pepper, onion, garlic, sesame seeds, baking powder, parsley stalks and 1 tbsp water into a food processor. Blitz until combined but not smooth (you want the falafel to have some texture, rather than being the consistency of hummus).
- Season to taste, then roll into 18 evenly sized balls. Flatten each ball into a disc shape and arrange on the baking sheets, then brush the tops with 1 tbsp of the oil. Bake for 20 mins until golden and crisp, turning halfway through cooking.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 263 calories, Fat 13 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 22 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 8 grams fiber, Protein 10 grams protein, Sodium 0.32 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Use dried chickpeas: Dried chickpeas are more flavorful and have a better texture than canned chickpeas. If you don't have time to soak the chickpeas overnight, you can quick-soak them by boiling them for 1 minute, then removing them from the heat and letting them sit for 1 hour.
- Don't over-process the chickpeas: When you're processing the chickpeas in a food processor, be careful not to over-process them. You want the mixture to be slightly coarse, not smooth.
- Use fresh herbs and spices: Fresh herbs and spices will give your falafel balls the best flavor. If you don't have fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs, but be sure to use half the amount.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet: When you're baking the falafel balls, don't overcrowd the baking sheet. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce: Falafel balls are delicious served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tahini sauce, hummus, or tzatziki sauce.
Conclusion:
Baked falafel balls are a delicious and healthy snack or meal. They're easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique flavor combination. Falafel balls are also a great way to use up leftover chickpeas. So next time you have a can of chickpeas on hand, give this recipe a try!
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