This falafel burger dish from our friends at Pretty Simple Cooking has us completely smitten. Unlike many veggie burger and falafel recipes, this one uses easy-to-find items from practically any grocery, and it’s easy to put together and tastes delicious. Thanks to spices and fresh herbs, the patties have a lovely meaty texture and a robust, aromatic flavor. They’re the dish I’d eat any night of the week because they’re light and healthy while simultaneously savory and filling.
This falafel burger recipe is straightforward to prepare. Pulse the ingredients, fold them together, and form patties with your hands in a food processor. In a stainless steel or cast-iron skillet, sear them quickly over medium-high heat until golden brown. Transfer the patties to the oven to finish cooking once pan-fried. That’s it!
What is a Falafel Burger?
Falafel is deep-fried balls or patties cooked from chickpeas or fava beans, and sometimes both, and fresh herbs and spices. Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street snack found in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Israel, where it is the national dish. Yes! This healthy falafel recipe uses baking instead of frying to cut down fat and calories. These baked falafels are a terrific healthy supper with protein and fiber-rich chickpeas and plenty of fresh herbs! Falafel comes in many different varieties, each with its distinct flavor and texture.
Despite this, their tastes are often identical. The falafel ball has been compared to a savory donut and is typically dipped in tahini sauce before consumption. A 3.5-ounce portion of deep-fried falafel contains 330 calories, 31 grams of carbohydrate, 17.5 grams of fat, 13 grams of protein, and 294 milligrams of sodium (without pita or toppings). Falafel is also high in soluble fiber, which helps to decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol.
How to Make Falafel Burgers?
Use canned chickpeas or prepare your own dried chickpeas. Sesame seeds These crunchy seeds have a delicious sesame flavor. Garlic and onion There is a lot of garlic in this dish. Don’t cut corners! It brings the delicious flavor of this falafel burger to the next level.
Carrots add lovely golden color and a veggie punch to the burgers. Cilantro adds a lot of flavor and freshness to this falafel burger dish. Because you’ll be pulling everything together in the food processor, you may use both the cilantro stems and leaves.
Refrigerate or freeze leftover burgers in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 5 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven until crispy and heated through, about 8 minutes for refrigerated burgers and about 15 minutes for frozen burgers.
Whole wheat flour is used to hold the patties together. Cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper round out the falafel flavor of the patties. Also, salt and pepper to bring out the taste!
Ingredients
- chickpeas, 15-ounce cans (3 cups cooked)
- a quarter cup of sesame seeds
- Six garlic cloves, medium
- One red onion, medium
- Two carrots, big
- 1 cup cilantro leaves and delicate stems, packed
- 34 cup flour (whole wheat)
- 4 tsp cumin powder
- 4 tsp coriander powder
- 14 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt, 12 tablespoons
- One teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra-virgin
For the Dill Yogurt Sauce
- Two garlic cloves, tiny
- Two tablespoons of fresh dill, chopped
- a quarter cup of lemon juice (1 large lemon)
- 2 cups plain Greek yogurt (whole milk)
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra-virgin
- 12 tsp. kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the burgers by Chickpeas should be drained and rinsed. Remove any excess moisture using a paper towel or clean dish towel before placing them in a big food processor bowl. Add the sesame seeds and process for about a minute, or until you have a paste-like consistency (if necessary, stop and scrape the sides of the bowl, and process again). Scrape the contents into a large mixing basin.
- Garlic, red onion, and carrots should all be peeled. Chop the onion and carrot into small pieces. Process the garlic in the food processor until it is finely chopped. Pulse the carrot and onion multiple times until they are finely minced. Pulse the cilantro a few more times in the machine until it is finely chopped.
- Scrape the vegetables into the chickpeas bowl. Combine the flour, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Form 8 round patties and set them on a baking sheet after mixing with a spoon or your hands until well incorporated.
- One tablespoon olive oil, heated in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry 4 burgers for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove the cooked burgers from the baking sheet and set them back on it. Wipe off the pan, add another sprinkle of oil, and fry the remaining four burgers, having in mind that the pan will be hotter and the cooking time for the second batch will be slightly shorter.
- Place all of the burgers on the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes on one side, then turn and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 10 minutes on a wire rack.
- Make the sauce as follows: Garlic should be peeled and finely minced. Dill should be chopped. Lemon should be juiced. Combine the garlic, dill, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, olive oil, kosher salt, and two tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
- Assemble the burgers with the yogurt sauce and any other toppings you choose.
With Falafel Burgers, What do you Serve?
Cucumber Sauce or Dill Sauce made with yogurt is commonly served on a falafel sandwich and is quick and easy to make. Tahini sauce: This vegan and plant-based Lemon Tahini Sauce are also traditional for serving with falafel. For a more herby flavor, add some chopped fresh dill. A “falafel plate” is a falafel, hummus, and tahini sauce served by Middle Eastern vendors. The falafel is frequently referred to as Israel’s national food, and the preferred sauce is tahini (a mixture of tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and water).
Falafel is most commonly served in a pita with tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled onions as garnish. Finally, hummus, tahini, and spicy sauces are applied to the sandwich. Coat a baking tray with olive oil, place the falafel patties on top, brush with extra oil, season with salt, and broil: the falafel burgers will be golden-crusted and sizzling hot in 3-5 minutes on each side.
What does a Falafel Burger Taste Like?
The spices and ingredients give falafel its distinct flavor. The fresh garlicky flavor of this falafel burger is balanced by the earthiness of the dried chickpeas and cumin. The texture is gritty and chewy, almost meatball-like. Traditional falafel has a somewhat crispy texture and a deep, savory, gritty, and herbaceous flavor, consisting of several herbs and spices such as coriander, cumin, parsley, and mint, though the ingredients may vary. Falafel is an excellent source of fiber and protein and is high in several micronutrients.
As a result, it may help you lose weight, maintain a healthy blood sugar level, and reduce your risk of chronic disease. However, it is frequently deep-fried in oil, increasing the fat and calorie content. These vegan falafel burgers are created with substantial chickpeas and four vegetables, then seasoned to perfection, inspired by the renowned Middle Eastern street cuisine. Top with pickles, spicy sauce, lettuce, tomato, and tahini on a burger bun or in a pita.
Is a Vegan Falafel Burger Possible?
These simple vegan falafel burgers contain all of your favorite Middle Eastern flavors but in a burger form! They have a light, soft, seasoned chickpea core and are delightfully crispy and dark golden brown on the outside! Drain the chickpeas and pat them dry with paper towels. Combine the onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, harissa paste, flour, and a pinch of salt in a food processor. Blend until the mixture is relatively smooth, then form four patties with your hands. In a mixing basin, mash the chickpeas.
I use mashed potatoes since they work wonderfully, but a fork will suffice. Combine the red onion, garlic, cumin, salt, tahini, breadcrumbs, and cilantro in a mixing bowl. To blend, whisk everything together thoroughly. Form into 3-4 inch broad and 1/2 inch thick burger shapes. Almost all falafel is vegan. However, they’re frequently served in a wrap, and the sauces may not be vegan because they’re made with yogurt. The falafels, on the other hand, are vegan.
What’s the Best Way to Prepare Vegan Falafel Burgers?
Spread the sauce on your falafel burger and top it with your favorite toppings! Pickled red onions and additional cilantro were my favorites, but sliced tomato, cucumber, avocado, or ordinary pickles would be tasty. Serve these burgers on handmade buns to take them to the next level. Sprinkle the garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste the burgers as they’ve been flipped. On top, arrange the onions and barbecue sauce.
Then top with the cheese to seal everything in. Finally, cover the pan with a lid to keep the heat and steam in, and quickly remove it from the grill. The falafel is frequently referred to as Israel’s national food, and the preferred sauce is tahini (a mixture of tahini paste, lemon juice, garlic, and water). Hummus, sauerkraut, aubergine, and pickled mango sauce are other popular combos.
Conclusion
These falafel burgers are far easier to cook than our classic falafel sandwich. That sandwich is delicious and authentic, but it does require some planning ahead of time. It’s a little easier this time! You should make falafel burgers: You can use canned chickpeas, and it is unnecessary to soak dried chickpeas overnight. This means that you can make it without planning (a big plus in our book.
It’s easy to form. The patties are considerably easier to mold than the usual falafel balls, and there are only four of them! No more oily meals! Falafel involves frying, which can be challenging. After a fast and easy fry with a splash of oil, these falafel burgers are finished in the oven.
