Baked Falafels with Chia and Pistachio

These naturally gluten free falafel taste super delicious and a little different to the classic version using canned chickpeas and incorporating chia and pistachios into the mixture. Plus they are baked instead of fried, making them perfect for those who don’t want to deal with deep frying in their kitchen. Serve them with yoghurt dressing or hummus and some seasonal salad. Alternatively, tuck them into pitta pockets with yoghurt dressing and coleslaw.

60 g Toasted, unsalted pistachios
4 tbsp Chia seeds
200 g Cooked chickpeas (drained weight)
2 Garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
1 Onion, peeled and quartered
1 Small carrot, grated
10 g Mint leaves
6 stalk Cilantro
1 tsp Cumin powder
1 tsp Coriander powder
½ tsp Cayenne pepper
Sea salt and black pepper
5 tbsp Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp lemon juice

Finely chop half of the pistachios and mix together with 2 tbsp of chia seeds in a bowl. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 220C/430F.
Drain the chickpeas. Peel and quarter the garlic and onion. Clean, peel, wash and finely grate the carrot. Wash the herbs and shake dry. Set half of the mint aside.
Place the chickpeas, onion, garlic, carrot, herbs, spices, remaining half of pistachios and chia seeds in a bowl and finely puree using a hand blender. Season with salt and pepper.
Shape the mixture into 16 balls, roll them in the chia and pistachio mixture and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Spray the falafel with an olive oil cooking spray and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on the outside.
In the meantime, finely chop the reserved mint leaves. Mix the yoghurt, lemon juice and mint. Season with salt and pepper.
Remove the falafel from the oven, drizzle with the yoghurt dressing and serve.

12 comments:

DEZMOND 21/1/25 13:30: Those look good and you set the decor lovely. Cilantro is only good for one thing: garbage bin LOL There is a whole page on Facebook I hate Cilantro, I love their posts.
Lola Martínez 21/1/25 13:32: Son unos falafels distintos a los que conozco, pero muy ricos también, ya me gustaría probarlos, se ven preciosos.
Tom 21/1/25 14:18: ...Angie, you alway come up with fabulous creations!
Anonymous 21/1/25 16:31: Love falafels -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
Cocoa and Lavender 21/1/25 17:29: I know it's weird, but I do not like the texture of chia seeds! However, I have made about every other falafel recipe you have and LOVE them!
David 21/1/25 18:02: Hi Angie, I've never understood the appeal of falafel. Meatless meatballs? Just not my thing...but I guess if one was raised eating falafel or is avoiding meat, its something that they would embrace. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Królowa Karo 21/1/25 18:35: I made falafel recently, but yours is a more interesting version :)
roentare 21/1/25 22:24: This is so healthy
citu 21/1/25 23:40: Gracias por la receta. Tomó nota. Te mando un beso.
Cooking Julia 21/1/25 23:43: Those nice falafels look great Angie!
Brian's Home Blog 22/1/25 00:37: Those look so good, I'll have some!
Granny Sue 22/1/25 00:40: They look so tasty! And sound pretty healthy too.