Low Sodium Crispy Fried Balls

Delight your taste buds with these irresistibly **Low Sodium Crispy Fried Balls**, a healthier twist on a classic fried snack that's bursting with bold flavors and aromatic spices. Crafted primarily from wholesome chickpeas and seasoned with fresh parsley, cilantro, cumin, and coriander, these bite-sized delights offer a satisfying crunch without compromising on heart-friendly nutrition. The batter is held together with whole wheat flour and a hint of baking powder, ensuring each ball fries to golden, crispy perfection. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or even a protein-packed side dish, they pair wonderfully with your favorite low-sodium dips. Plus, they’re easy to make with simple steps like soaking, blending, and frying. Perfect for health-conscious foodies, these flavorful bites are sure to become a new favorite at your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup chickpeas
• 0.5 onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 cups oil for frying

Directions

Step 1

Begin by soaking the chickpeas in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly after soaking.

Step 2

In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pulse the mixture until everything is finely ground but not completely smooth. Scrape the sides as needed.

Step 3

Add the lemon juice, whole wheat flour, baking powder, and water to the chickpea mixture and pulse again to combine. The mixture should hold together when shaped. If it is too crumbly, add a little more water.

Step 4

Transfer the mixture to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the mixture.

Step 5

Once chilled, use a small scoop or your hands to shape the mixture into roughly 1-inch balls. Ensure that the balls are compact to prevent them from falling apart during frying.

Step 6

In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking, around 350°F (175°C).

Step 7

Carefully lower a few balls at a time into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry them, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per batch.

Step 8

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried balls to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.

Step 9

Serve the crispy fried balls hot, garnished with additional parsley or a low-sodium dipping sauce if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(852.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4534.9

Total Fat 480.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 68.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 271.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.3g	0%
Total Sugars 13.7g
Protein 24.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 220.7mg	0%
Iron 10.9mg	0%
Potassium 1204.7mg	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: 90.8%

Protein: 2.1%

Carbs: 7.1%