Baked Falafel Balls

Geema's Note:

You will love these little falafel balls that are soft on the inside and crunchy on the outside...without frying in oil! Serve in a pita with your favorite cucumber sauce.

• Total Time: 20 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 hrs
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup Bulgar wheat
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cumin
• 1 1/4 teaspoons coriander
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs, plus
• 2 teaspoons dried breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup cilantro, minced
• 1/4 cup parsley, minced
• salt
• olive oil flavored cooking spray

Directions:

1. Bring water to a boil and remove from the heat.
2. Mix in the bulgur.
3. Cover well and allow the wheat to sit until all the water is absorbed -- about 20 minutes.
4. Heat the olive oil in a small pan and saute the onion and garlic over medium heat until the onion is just transparent.
5. Add red chili flakes, cumin, and coriander and saute for 1 more minute.
6. Combine the chickpeas and bulgur in a food processor. Add the lemon juice, bread crumbs, cilantro, parsley and salt and process until just mixed, and has a pleasing texture.
7. Set mixture aside for 15 minutes.
8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
9. Form falafel mixture into 2 inch balls and place on a lightly oiled sheet pan.
10. Spray the balls with some olive oil.
11. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden, turning the pan once during baking.
12. A.

Reviews

[Chef Pollo]

These were yummy! Bit of a disaster trying to stuff the pitas, but the flavor of the falafels was soft and smooth. We had hummus, tzatizki (sp?), pickles, toms and cukes. I think next time I will put them in a wrap. I used step 4, but added 1/2 tbsp more oil and baked at 425 for 25- 28 mins. Thanks!!

[Engineer in the Kitchen]

I followed the advice of previous reviewers and skipped step 4. I also doubled the spices as was suggested. These were ok, probably won't do again. The spices were a bit overpowering, plus the balls did not really taste like falafel, something was missing in the mix of spices.

[squirmmom]

Thought these turned out very yummy. Also skipped step 4 and used whole wheat bread crumbs. Used baking paper in the oven. Loved the texture the bulgur gave the finished product!