Spicy Baked Falafel with Tzatziki

These well-seasoned baked falafel, with a little bit of heat and accompanied by a cool tzatziki sauce, are good in a pita, on a salad, or just by themselves. Enjoy!

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 382 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
• ½ tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup chickpea flour
• 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon salt, divided
• ½ cup olive oil, divided
• 1 (32 ounce) container Greek yogurt
• ½ bunch parsley
• 1 tablespoon white sugar (Optional)
• ½ tablespoon chile powder
• 4 cloves peeled garlic
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 large cucumber, peeled and finely chopped
• 8 leaves fresh mint, finely chopped, or more to taste
• 2 whole jalapeno peppers
• 1 bunch green onions, root ends removed
• 3 (16 ounce) cans chickpeas - rinsed, drained, and dried

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Step 2

Stir yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic powder, sugar, lemon zest, mint, and dill together in a bowl. Adjust seasonings to taste and refrigerate tzatziki until ready to serve with falafel.

Step 3

Combine jalapeno peppers, parsley, green onions, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and fully blended. Scrape mixture down and add chickpeas. Pulse several times until just blended and chickpeas are broken up, but texture is still rough; do not overblend. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.

Step 4

Add eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, Greek seasoning, cumin, 1/2 tablespoon salt, paprika, pepper, and chili powder to the chickpea mixture. Stir with a spatula until fully incorporated. Add chickpea flour a few tablespoons at a time and stir; the final mixture should be wet, but not falling apart when handled. Place bowl in the freezer, uncovered, to firm up mixture, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 5

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with some olive oil.

Step 6

Remove chickpea mixture from freezer and form into 20 to 24 small balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush falafel with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with remaining salt.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until falafel are dry and slightly darker brown in color, about 45 minutes. Turn on the broiler and continue baking until tops are crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve with tzatziki.