Heart-Healthy Baked Falafel

Lighten up your falafel game with this *Heart-Healthy Baked Falafel* recipe, a nutritious twist on the classic Middle Eastern favorite! Made with protein-packed chickpeas, fresh parsley, and cilantro, these oven-baked falafel balls are infused with warm spices like cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika for a boost of bold flavor. Unlike traditional deep-fried versions, this guilt-free alternative uses olive oil and baking powder to achieve a golden, crispy texture while keeping saturated fats to a minimum. Perfectly easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, these falafel are ideal for meal prepping or quick weeknight dinners. Serve them warm in a whole wheat pita with tahini sauce, or pair them with fresh veggies and hummus for a heart-healthy, Mediterranean-inspired feast that’s as satisfying as it is wholesome!

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 15 ounces Canned chickpeas
• 0.5 Onion
• 3 Cloves garlic
• 0.5 cup Fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Whole wheat flour
• 0.5 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

Step 3

In a food processor, combine chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 4

Pulse until the mixture is well combined but still slightly chunky. Avoid over-processing into a paste.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and add the baking powder and whole wheat flour. Stir well to incorporate.

Step 6

Wet your hands to prevent sticking, then form the mixture into small round balls or patties, about 2 inches in diameter.

Step 7

Place the falafel on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.

Step 8

Brush the top of each falafel with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil for a crispy finish.

Step 9

Sprinkle the falafel with smoked paprika for added flavor and color.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping them midway through to ensure even baking until they are golden brown and firm.

Step 11

Once baked, allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.

Step 12

Enjoy warm with a side of hummus or in pita bread with tahini sauce, fresh vegetables, and greens.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(609.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	755.1

Total Fat 36.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4081.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 90.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.7g	0%
Total Sugars 14.2g
Protein 23.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 265.3mg	0%
Iron 9.7mg	0%
Potassium 1310.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.6%

Protein: 11.9%

Carbs: 46.5%