Baked Falafel with Creamy Tahini Sauce Recipe
This baked falafel recipe offers a healthier alternative to traditional fried falafel, featuring crispy, golden chickpea patties with fragrant herbs and spices. Served with a creamy, tangy tahini sauce, it’s perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner that can be enjoyed in pita bread, salads, or as part of a mezze platter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 12 falafel balls 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Falafel Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional, for better texture)
Tahini Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup tahini
- ¼ cup water (more if needed)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
- Prepare the Falafel Mixture: In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the mixture is well-blended but still retains some texture. Be careful not to over-process to avoid a paste-like consistency.
- Form the Falafel Balls: Add the lemon juice, olive oil, and baking powder to the mixture. If the mixture feels too wet or loose, gradually add breadcrumbs to help bind it. Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls or patties approximately 1-2 inches in diameter, and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Falafel: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping the falafel halfway through to ensure both sides become golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, lightly brush or spray the falafel with olive oil before baking.
- Prepare the Tahini Sauce: While the falafel bakes, whisk together the tahini, water, lemon juice, garlic, and salt in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency by adding more water if needed so that the sauce is pourable but not too runny.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the falafel hot alongside the tahini sauce. These can be enjoyed stuffed in pita bread, served over salads, or as part of a Mediterranean-inspired falafel platter with your favorite sides.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid over-processing the falafel mixture; it should be chunky, not a smooth paste.
- Adding breadcrumbs is optional but helps bind the falafel and improve texture if the mixture is too wet.
- You can prepare the falafel mixture ahead and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking.
- The tahini sauce can be adjusted with more or less water to achieve your desired consistency.
- For extra crispiness, consider broiling the falafel for the last 2 minutes of baking but watch closely to prevent burning.
- This recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be made vegan by using olive oil and omitting any non-vegan accompaniments.
Keywords: baked falafel, healthy falafel, Middle Eastern falafel, tahini sauce, chickpea patties, vegetarian recipe, oven-baked falafel
