Description
Baked Falafel Tzatziki lunch protpacked crispy herbs quick prep refreshing tzatziki twist for easy tasty meals Try it Great for meal prep
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained and patted dry
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free option: gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour)
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or dill)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for brushing)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Salt and pepper to taste
For tzatziki sauce: 1 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup grated cucumber (squeezed dry)
1 clove garlic (minced)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped dill
Salt and pepper to taste
Pita bread or lettuce leaves for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 F (200 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment for easy nicks and crisp edges.
- In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas, onion, garlic, herbs, cumin, coriander, cayenne (if using), lemon zest and juice, baking powder, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil until you have a coarse crumble. If you don’t have a processor, mash everything by hand until you get a chunky, cohesive mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add breadcrumbs gradually, mixing until it holds together when pressed. If it’s too wet, add a touch more crumbs; if too dry, a splash of water or another teaspoon of olive oil helps bind.
- Form the mixture into 1.5-inch balls or flat patties. Place on the prepared sheet and lightly brush or spray with a bit more olive oil to encourage browning.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping once halfway, until the edges are deeply golden and the centers are set and tender.
- While the falafel bakes, whisk together tzatziki ingredients: yogurt, grated cucumber (squeezed dry), minced garlic, dill, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Let it rest 10–15 minutes to mellow and thicken slightly.
- Serve the falafel warm with a generous dollop of tzatziki. For extra crispness, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully so they don’t burn.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 12 g
Keywords: falafel, baked falafel, tzatziki, pita, Mediterranean, vegetarian, chickpeas, herbs, lemon, dill, middle eastern
