Flavor-Packed Baked Falafel Feast with Sweet Potato and Chickpeas 🌱🧡
ingredients:
For the Falafel:
1 can (15 oz / 425g) chickpeas, rinsed and drained well
1 cup (approx. 200g) cooked sweet potato, mashed
1/2 cup (approx. 60g) chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup (approx. 35g) chopped fresh cilantro
1 small onion, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup (30g) chickpea flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon (5g) ground cumin
1 teaspoon (5g) ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil (for baking)
For Serving (Optional):
Pita bread, tahini sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers
directions:
1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil or line it with parchment paper.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, mashed sweet potato, chopped parsley, cilantro, chopped onion, minced garlic, chickpea flour, cumin, coriander, turmeric, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Process Mixture: Pulse the mixture until it's well combined but still slightly coarse (don't over-process into a paste). Scrape down the sides as needed.
4. Chill Mixture (Optional but Recommended): For easier handling, chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes.
5. Form Falafel Balls: Scoop out tablespoons of the mixture and gently form them into small patties or balls (about 1.5 inches / 4 cm wide). Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake: Brush the tops of the falafel lightly with olive oil. Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully flip them over. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly firm.
7. Serve: Serve the baked falafel warm in pita bread with your favorite toppings like tahini sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, or alongside a salad.
Recipe Information:
Preparation Time: 20 minutes | Chilling Time: 15-30 minutes (optional) | Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes | Total Time: approx. 1 hour | Calories per Serving: approx. 250 kcal (falafel only) | Number of Servings: 4 (makes about 12-15 falafels)
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