{"id":8085,"date":"2016-03-04T23:25:24","date_gmt":"2016-03-05T03:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/?p=8085"},"modified":"2023-05-09T05:18:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T10:18:19","slug":"oven-baked-falafel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingeats.com\/blog\/oven-baked-falafel","title":{"rendered":"Oven Baked Falafel"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Delicious and healthy Oven Baked Falafel - perfect for lunch with a mixed salad and some homemade mint yoghurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I love falafel, but usually that come deep fried and pretty high calories. So I figured I would have a go at a healthier version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can either use dried chickpeas that will need soaking overnight and cooking or canned, the choice is totally up to you. Starting with dried varieties can yield a much creamier chickpea and much more budget friendly, but if you are rushed for time, canned will work perfectly for these Oven Baked Falafel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The sweet potato I just pierce with a knife and microwave for about 5-6 minutes until soft.  You need enough to yield \u00be of cup (180ml) mashed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are cooking in a saucepan, I recommend using a steamer basket over water, as if you simmer in water they will take in too much liquid and these Oven Baked Falafel may not bind as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These are perfect served hot out of the oven or cold, so are great for lunches and picnics too, pack a nice mixed salad and a tub of the yoghurt and the whole family will love them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I generally have these for lunch, but there is no reason why they can't also be a main meal, serve with something like this yummy red pepper and coriander rice<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, a mixed salad and maybe even some feta cheese as part of your diet and wow - delicious!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To blend the mixture for the oven baked falafels, I use the food processor and chopping blade of  my awesome Nutri Ninja Blender with Auto IQ<\/a><\/strong> <\/span>(click to see me on amazon).  The auto iq technology feature, mean it blends or chops to a set pattern depending on what it is your are making. I also have the food processor bowls and grating, chopping discs and blades. So handy for when you want to quickly chop up a load of veg for a recipe. You can blitz the mixture with any food processor or blender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mixture will be quite wet once blitzed, but don't worry, once cooked, they firm up and are perfect. I just spoon the mixture onto a tray line with parchment paper, and loosely form into the shape I want them, before placing into the oven to bake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These would be great with a homemade raita, but I personally prefer them with some mint yoghurt, which I make using plain fat free yoghurt, lemon juice, sweetener (I prefer sukrin: 1<\/a><\/strong><\/span> as it's natural and has no aftertaste), pinch of salt and then fresh mint. Always use fresh if you can, as the flavour is so much better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking for some more delicious soup recipes to try?  - Previously on Slimming Eats<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n