Fully Functional® Healthy Falafel

Our Fully Functional® Healthy Falafel recipe rivals any deep-fried falafel we’ve ever had. Plus, you won’t feel weighed down by the grease and heaviness that accompanies a deep-fried dish. By trying our baked version you may help mitigate any negative health impacts of the standard greasy version. Fried foods are highly inflammatory, and a big no-no as far as following an anti-inflammatory meal plan goes.

Falafel is chickpea (garbanzo bean) patties that are typically made with a deep frying process. Our recipe is made more healthful by using baking as the cooking method rather than deep-frying. It’s also loaded with anti-inflammatory spices. These patties are a great snack on-the-go, or as a protein source for your healthy snack, lunch, or dinner.

Our Fully Functional® Healthy Falafel can be accompanied by a fresh vegetable salad or drizzled with Avocado Dill Dressing. A natural salsa or other homemade savory dressing, or a mushroom or vegetable sauce also goes great with this dish. As a snack, they may be accompanied with stuffed celery, carrot sticks, pickles, or a lettuce wrap.

Pairs well with our Garlic and Chive Flatbread.

Fully Functional® Healthy Falafel

Falafel are chickpea (garbanzo bean) patties that are typically made with a deep frying process. This recipe is made more healthful by using baking as the cooking method rather than deep-frying. Pair with a fresh vegetable salad or drizzle with Avocado Dill Dressing, a natural salsa or other homemade savory dressing, or a mushroom or vegetable sauce.

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Prep Time
20 mins

Cook Time
20 mins

Total Time
40 mins

Course
Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine
International

Servings
4

Calories
116 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried mixed fava beans, chickpea, lima beans* or 2 whole cups of any of these legumes
• 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 4 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 small Onion or ½ cup chopped fennel bulb
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and diced
• 1 tsp dried oregano or 2 tsp fresh oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric or 1 tsp chopped fresh turmeric
• 1/2-1 tsp sea salt
• 1 pinch several grinds fresh black pepper
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup a small amount of chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour optional

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor except the black pepper and baking soda and process until a firm paste is achieved.
2. Use a spatula to scrape all the contents of the blender or food processor into a bowl and add the black pepper and baking soda. Mix or knead by hand to thoroughly combine all the ingredients and then cover the bowl and and let the mixture rest for one hour.
3. After one hour, heat an oven to 325 degrees. Uncover the bowl and with clean hands, form the “dough” into rounded golf-ball sized balls. If the mixture is sticky and difficult to work with, add 1-2 Tbsp. chickpea flour to make more workable. Flatten each ball slightly to form rounded discs. Place the discs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes. Open the oven door and turn each disc for uniform baking and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked.
4. Serve hot or cold. They are great as a travelable snack. They are also great as breakfast or as part of the protein content of a balanced plate Falafel are wonderful served with Avocado Dill Dressing or with a healthy (no tomato) Green Guacamole (see recipe below). Experiment with these ingredients to find the consistency and flavor that works for you. Falafel are also wonderful served over a fresh salad with one of the above sides.

Notes

*Remember to soak fava beans, chickpea, and lima beans in fresh spring water at least overnight and ideally for 48 hours, then rinse well OPTIONAL: Use ANY bean to substitute for the chickpeas, fava beans, and lima beans. GREEN GUACAMOLE: Mash together one avocado, ½ cup fresh cilantro washed and chopped, 1 minced clove of garlic, and fresh lemon or lime juice, salt and fresh pepper to taste. TAHINI DRESSING: Mix together until smooth: 2 Tbsp. sesame tahini, 1 Tbsp. fresh spring water, a pinch of sea salt (or to taste), 1 minced clove of garlic, and 1 tsp. fresh lemon or lime juice.

Keywords: anti-Inflammatory recipes, anti-inflammatory spices, Fully Functional, healthy chickpea recipes, healthy falafel, healthy falafel recipe