Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food typically made with chickpeas or fava beans. It is often served in pita sandwiches, as part of an appetizer platter, or simply as a finger food. These patties are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
, anti-inflammatory herbs, and healthy fats.
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 3 T. olive oil, divided
- 1-1/2 c. dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in water and drained
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 5 garlic cloves
- 1 c. parsley, roughly chopped
- 1 t. ground cumin
Sauce Ingredients:
- 6 T. tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- ¼ c. water (or more depending on desired consistency)
For Serving:
- Leafy greens
- Raw/cooked vegetables of choice
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a large rimmed baking sheetwith one tablespoon of olive oil.
- In a food processor, add chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, and the remaining olive oil. Pulse a couple times to break down the chickpeas, then process until a smooth and thick mixture forms, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Scoop 2 tablespoons of the mixture and form into a patty using your hands. Repeat until you’ve used all of the mixture. This should yield approximately 18 falafel patties.
- Arrange falafels on the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to roast until golden brown and crisp, approximately 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through the baking time.
- In the meantime, make the tahini sauce. Whisk tahini and lemon juice in a small bowl. Lightly season with salt. The mixture will become very thick. Thin tahini sauce to desired consistency by adding water, 2 tablespoons at a time. Amount needed will vary based on liquid content of your tahini and lemon.
- Serve the crispy falafel patties on a bed of leafy greens and fresh vegetables on the side. Drizzle with lemony tahini sauce. Enjoy!
This wholesome falafel dish aligns with the nutritional principles promoted by functional medicine Burbank, where gut health, blood sugar balance, and plant-forward eating are core to every dietary recommendation.
Many functional medicine doctors recommend legumes like chickpeas because they provide protein, fiber, and essential nutrients that support a healthy microbiome and balanced inflammation levels.
At Functional Medicine Los Angeles, we encourage patients to choose meals that nourish without sacrificing flavor. Recipes like this falafel are a delicious step toward sustainable wellness.