Easy Baked Falafel with Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce

Try this Middle Eastern sandwich of chickpea and spice 'meatballs,' which are actually falafel that are oven-fried to keep their calorie count down. Serve with grilled pita wedges or pita pockets, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and cucumber slices.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 250 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• salt to taste
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ¾ onion, diced
• cooking spray
• 1 small lemon, zested
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• ¼ cup packed chopped fresh cilantro
• ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ¼ cup packed chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup seeded and minced cucumber, squeezed dry

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Coat a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray and 1 tablespoon olive oil and place inside the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). C

Step 2

Combine chickpeas, onion, cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, and baking powder in a food processor. Pulse until minced but not yet pasty. Transfer to a bowl and stir in flour and egg until fully incorporated.

Step 3

Remove baking pan from the oven. Drop golfball-sized portions of chickpea mixture onto the hot pan.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven 15 to 20 minutes. Brush falafel with remaining olive oil and flip over. Continue baking until golden on both sides, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Step 5

Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Step 6

Serve falafel with yogurt sauce.