Falafel Smash Burgers
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Servings
4
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
10-15 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup dried chickpeas
½ tsp baking soda
¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
¼ cup fresh dill, packed
¼ large yellow onion, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
¼ cup cold water
1 Tbsp cornstarch
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup Kooshy breadcrumbs
Olive oil for frying (e.g., Graza “Frizzle” or neutral oil)
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
1–2 Tbsp cold water, to thin
1 small garlic clove, grated or finely minced
Pinch of salt
Warm pita or naan
Pickles
Sumac pickled onions
Chopped cucumber, tomato, and parsley salad
Harissa or shatta for heat
Crispy smashed za’atar potatoes
Falafel Patties
Lemon Tahini Sauce
Optional Toppings & Sides:
Directions
Soak the Chickpeas:24 hours before cooking, place chickpeas in a large bowl with ½ tsp baking soda and cover with water by at least 3 inches. Soak overnight. Drain well before using.
Make the Falafel Mix: In a food processor, pulse the soaked chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, dill, onion, and garlic until finely ground but not pasty. Scrape down the sides as needed.
Transfer to a mixing bowl. Stir in cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, pepper, cornstarch, baking powder, and water until fully combined.
Cover and freeze for 20 minutes (or refrigerate for 1 hour, up to 24 hours) to firm up.
Shape and Fry: Heat ¼ inch of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Form falafel mixture into small patties (about ¼ cup each) and flatten slightly. Coat lightly in Kooshy breadcrumbs.
Pan-fry patties 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to rest.
Make the Lemon Tahini Sauce: In a bowl, whisk tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and 1 Tbsp water. Add more water until desired drizzle consistency is reached.
Assemble and Serve: Spread lemon tahini sauce on warm pita. Top with falafel patty, pickles, pickled onions, salad, and a spoonful of harissa if desired. Serve with za’atar potatoes and extra salad on the side.
Recipe Note
Baking Option:For a lighter version, brush patties with oil and bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Recipe by Alex Kelikian (@aprettykitchen)
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