Santa Fe Falafel

Get ready to spice up your falafel game with the vibrant flavors of Santa Fe Falafel, a Southwestern-inspired twist on the classic Middle Eastern dish. Packed with protein-rich black beans and chickpeas, this recipe brings bold flavor to every bite with ingredients like sweet corn, zesty red onion, fresh cilantro, and a smoky blend of cumin, paprika, and chili powder. Perfectly pan-fried until golden and crispy, these falafel patties are irresistibly crunchy on the outside and tender within. Whether served in a warm pita, atop a refreshing salad, or paired with a creamy lime yogurt or chipotle tahini dipping sauce, Santa Fe Falafel is an easy and versatile dish that’s ready in under 40 minutes. A delicious vegetarian option that’s perfect for weeknight meals or casual entertaining.

Nutriscore Rating: 85/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Black beans, canned (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup Chickpeas, canned (drained and rinsed)
• 0.5 cup Corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
• 0.5 cup Red onion, diced
• 0.25 cup Cilantro, chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil (for pan-frying)

Directions

Step 1

1. In a food processor, combine the black beans, chickpeas, corn, red onion, cilantro, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2

2. Pulse until the mixture is well combined but still slightly chunky. Avoid over-processing, as the mixture should hold together but not turn into a puree.

Step 3

3. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the baking powder and flour until the dough becomes cohesive and easy to shape.

Step 4

4. Using your hands, form the mixture into small falafel patties or balls, about 2 inches in diameter. Place them on a plate or tray.

Step 5

5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the falafel in batches, ensuring they do not crowd the pan.

Step 6

6. Cook each falafel for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 7

7. Serve the Santa Fe Falafel warm in pita bread, over a salad, or as a standalone dish with your favorite dipping sauce (try a lime yogurt or chipotle tahini sauce).

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(799.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1195.1

Total Fat 50.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2537.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 156.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.3g	0%
Total Sugars 22.6g
Protein 43.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 287.9mg	0%
Iron 15.5mg	0%
Potassium 1797.3mg	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: 36.1%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 49.9%