How to make easy and tasty falafel burgers
I love falafel and have a popular recipe for them. With a yoghurt dip, they are a great starter or snack but not always enough for the main meal in my opinion. I do enjoy them in a wholemeal pitta sometimes with salad as an alternative to a kebab. These falafel burgers are great vegetarian burgers full of flavour and easy to make.
Disclaimer: Just Average Jen is not connected with any weight loss plan. Please check nutritional values and/or syns yourself.
A Brief History of Falafel
Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish, originally made from fava beans or chickpeas. It has evolved over time and is now enjoyed worldwide in various forms, including the popular falafel burger. Falafel is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, known for its rich flavours and textures. These falafel burgers are great for meal prep, as they can be made ahead and frozen.
How to enjoy these falafel burgers on a diet
Unlike my falafel recipe, these falafel burgers are not syn-free on Slimming World but they are extremely low syns so don’t let that put you off.
The flour in this recipe as a whole is 4 syns (approx), the onion chutney 1 syn (approx) and the breadcrumbs 6 syns (approx). This makes the whole recipe around 11 syns so around 3.5-4 syns per burger.
Falafel burgers are an excellent source of plant-based protein, making them a nutritious alternative to meat. These chickpea patties are packed with flavour and nutrients.
Ingredient substitutions
Gluten-Free: Use chickpea flour or oat flour instead of plain flour.
Vegan: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water).
Low-Sodium: Use low-sodium chickpeas and reduce the added salt.
Can these burgers be frozen?
If you want to freeze these burgers you need to cook them first and then freeze them. The mixture will not freeze effectively uncooked.
How to enjoy these falafel burgers
These burgers are great on their own with salad, chips or both. If you are looking for a sauce or dip for the burgers then why not try a homemade hummus or a yoghurt dip. This fries with curry sauce recipe might be perfect with these if you fancy a little spice.
The burgers are not easily cooked on a BBQ unless cooked on something flat, the mixture easily falls through the grill otherwise. We use teppanyaki grills for a BBQ which are perfect for this.
Serving suggestions
Sauces: Pair your falafel burgers with a creamy tahini sauce for an authentic taste alternatively what about tzatziki, or a yogurt dill sauce for added flavour.
Toppings: Add pickled red onions, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, or avocado for extra texture and taste.
Sides: Serve with sweet potato fries, a fresh garden salad, or crispy baked avocado fries.
Buns: Use whole wheat buns, pitta bread, or even lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.
Alternative cooking methods
Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the falafel patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the patties in the air fryer basket and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy.
Other recipes you might enjoy
If you are looking for other tasty vegetarian recipes then check out this variety of vegan and vegetarian recipes compiled for you. for other vegetarian burgers how about trying butternut squash and sweet potato burgers or black bean burgers? for meat-eaters what about turkey burgers?
These falafel burgers are great for a summer BBQ with side dishes like garden-fresh salsa and mango couscous. Whatever you like the sound of why not check the other BBQ recipes I have and see if any of them suit your family.
How to make easy and tasty falafel burgers
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 Minutes + chilling time
- Yield: 4 burgers 1x
- Category: Main Meal or Side Dish
- Method: Stove top, hob
- Cuisine: Moroccan
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
Tasty falafel burgers perfect for summer evenings or as a vegetarian burger for all the family to enjoy a meat-free meal.
Ingredients
400g can chickpeas, drained
60g wholemeal bread made into breadcrumbs
1 tbsp onion chutney
1 large garlic clove, crushed
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
3 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
1 egg
2 tbsp plain flour
low-calorie cooking spray
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Using a blender coarsely blend the chickpeas until they are a rough but blended mixture, it shouldn’t be too smooth.
Add breadcrumbs, spring onions, chutney, garlic, egg, coriander, cumin and fresh coriander and give it another whizz until it is a coarse paste
Dust your hands and work surface with the 2 tbsp plain flour and make the mixture into four burgers, each around 1cm thick.
The mixture will appear to fall apart easily but don’t worry when it has been in the fridge it will hold together better.
Place the burgers on a plate uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Using low-calorie cooking spray gently fry the burgers for 5 minutes on each side over medium heat.
Serve and enjoy
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 173
- Sugar: 4.7 g
- Sodium: 255.3 mg
- Fat: 3.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27.4 g
- Protein: 8.8 g
5* rating from my daughter – she recently went veggie. Of course, I panicked – being the daughter of a farmer, I had never considered that my children wouldn’t automatically be meat lovers like we are. Anyway, these falafel burgers were the first thing I tried for the whole family. I’m sick of doing one meal for her and another for everyone else. A real hit! Thanks so much 🙂