Baked Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce

Falafels are a quick, inexpensive, but satisfying meal. You have to remember to soak the garbanzo beans overnight, but there are no long cooking times involved; they are ground up in the food processor raw. They are traditionally fried, but since I usually try to avoid frying I decided to see if I could healthy them up by baking instead. The verdict? We have a winner. I now have another quick, easy dish in my repertoire and my daughter has a new favorite meal.


I think I do too! I served this with steamed asparagus. These disappeared quickly, so for my large family I will  double the recipe next time.

Baked Falafel

2 c. dried garbanzo beans, soaked overnight, and drained

1 small red onion, finely diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 T. dried parsley

1 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. baking powder

2 T. white whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse till combined. Do not puree till smooth; mixture should be somewhat grainy. Shape into 1 1/2" balls (makes about 18), place on baking sheet coated with 2 T. olive oil. Bake 10 min., turn and bake 10 min. more.  I served them on whole wheat pita bread with lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce.

Tzatziki Sauce

1 medium cucumber, peeled and most seeds removed

juice of 1 lemon

1 clove garlic, minced

4 T. plain yogurt

1/4 tsp. sea salt

Combine in blender or food processor and puree till you have a smooth sauce. Drizzle over falafel.  Leftover sauce is good on salad too.