Baked Falafels

Ready in 60 minutes
Serves 8
180 Calories

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped spinach
3 large cloves garlic
1 large lemon (~2 1/2 Tbsp juice)
scant 1/2 tsp sea salt + black pepper
1 1/4 tsp cumin
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, well rinsed and drained
1/2 cup ground raw walnuts (or pecans, almonds, GF oat flour)

Directions:

Add spinach, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, and a healthy pinch each salt and pepper to a food processor and mix to combine.
Add chickpeas and pulse until incorporated but still slightly chunky. You want to maintain a bit of texture.
Transfer to a mixing bowl and add nut meal (or oat flour) and mix again until a loose dough is formed that’s firm enough to be handled. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I added a touch more salt.
Draw an “x” in the dough to form 4 sections, then use your hands to form into 4 large patties roughly 1/2-inch thick, if you want to make four burgers.  Or divide evenly into 8 smaller patties and serves as appetizer with Tzatziki Sauce.
Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and refrigerate or freeze for 15 minutes to firm up.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (in the meantime.

OPTIONAL STEP: For a little extra crust on the outside, before baking heat a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat and add 2 Tbsp olive or canola oil. Swirl to coat pan, then add falafel. Carefully flip once golden brown – about 3-4 minutes – and then cook on the other side until golden brown as well – 3-4 more minutes. Return to baking sheet to continue baking. Otherwise, just add them straight to the oven for baking.

Bake for a total of 30-40 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point for even cooking. The longer you bake them, the firmer they’ll get!
Serve warm wrapped in a pita or chard bun and desired sauces / toppings. Alternatively, serve atop a salad and use the garlic sauce as a dressing.
Burgers will store in the fridge, layered with parchment paper in an airtight container, for several days. Freeze to keep longer.