Baking falafel is a great alternative to frying. I prefer to bake things because I am not good at watching the stove! I often burn things. This recipe requires just a bit of planning ahead as you need to soak the raw chickpeas overnight. The cilantro and parsley in this recipe are great for supporting gentle daily detoxification.

Serve with lettuce wraps (skip the bread) and tahini dressing

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup dried (uncooked/raw) chickpeas, rinsed, picked over and soaked for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours in the refrigerator
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped red onion (about 1/2 small red onion)
• 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley (mostly leaves but small stems are ok)
• 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro (mostly leaves but small stems are ok)
• 4 cloves garlic, quartered
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon (about 25 twists) freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. With an oven rack in the middle position, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour 1/4 cup of the olive oil into a large, rimmed baking sheet and turn until the pan is evenly coated.
2. In a food processor, combine the soaked and drained chickpeas, onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Process until smooth, about 1 minute.
3. Using your hands, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time. Shape the falafel into small patties, about 2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. Place each falafel on your oiled pan.
4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, carefully flipping the falafels halfway through baking, until the falafels are deeply golden on both sides. These falafels keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for several months.

NOTES

Make-ahead option: I haven’t tried this, but the original recipe notes that the uncooked falafel patties can be refrigerated on a parchment-lined baking sheet, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 2 hours before baking.

How to double this recipe: Preheat the oven with two oven racks near the center of the oven. Double all of the ingredients. If you have a large food processor (guessing 11+ cup capacity), you can mix all of the ingredients at once. Use two baking sheets, and swap their positions (top to bottom, bottom to top) when you flip the falafel halfway through baking.

Recipe is shared from Cookie and Kate. This is one of my favorite vegetarian cooking blogs

https://cookieandkate.com/crispy-falafel-recipe/#tasty-recipes-22901

Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health practitioners with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health program.