Falafel with Tzatziki Sauce

Delicious crunchy chickpea patties topped with a creamy yogurt sauce? Yes please! This recipe is sure to feed a crowd and satisfy your tastebuds. Did I mention this recipe is delicious?

It is finally here! The falafel recipe I have been trying to perfect for months is complete. As a vegetarian I am always looking for high protein meals that I can freeze and save for later. A few months ago I ordered a Mediterranean bowl with rice and falafel from Feta (located in Bloomington, Indiana it’s fantastic). It gave me the idea to try and come up with a falafel recipe of my own. It took a few months, but I am proud to share this recipe with the world.

This falafel recipe is made with chickpeas and lots of garlic. It has fresh herbs and lemon juice that make your tastebuds forget we are in the winter season. I usually pan fry this recipe, but you can bake them as well for a more healthy alternative. There are many ways to eat falafel, and I will share my two favorite ways with you! The falafel above is placed on top of salad containing brown rice and spinach, but you can also eat it on pita bread for something similar to a gyro!

I have also included my tzatziki sauce recipe. For those who have never had tzatziki, it is a creamy yogurt sauce with cucumber, garlic, lemon, and dill weed. If you are a garlic lover like me tzaztiki will become your new addiction. Let this be a warning, you will want to put this on everything.

I hope you all are staying safe and healthy this holiday season. It makes me very happy to share my recipes with the world, and I hope you enjoy them! Speaking of recipes I hope you give this one a try and tell me what you think! I love talking to my fellow foodies so do not be afraid to reach out! :)

Happy Holidays from my kitchen to yours, enjoy!

Falafel Ingredients:

• 3 cans chickpeas drained (reserve water for later)

• 1/2 red onion diced

• 1/4 bunch parsley

• 1/2 bunch cilantro

• 6 large cloves garlic chopped

• 2 tsp cumin

• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp cayenne

• 2 tbs lemon juice

• 3/4 cup flour of choice

• 3 table spoons olive oil

• salt and pepper to taste

• Vegetable or canola oil for frying

• Feta cheese (topping)

• Pita bread (optional)

Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups greek yogurt

• 2 medium cucumbers shredded and drained (see directions)

• 4-5 cloves garlic grated

• 1 - 1 1/2 tbs lemon juice

• 1-2 tbs dill weed (dry or fresh)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• pepper to taste

Falafel Directions:

Place all ingredients except flour and baking powder in a food processor (blender will work as well), and blend until ingredients are combined. If mixture is thick and not blending here is where you add in some of the leftover chickpea water. Mixture should be creamy, but chunks of chickpeas and garlic are okay and recommended!

Place falafel mixture into large bowl and add in flour and baking soda. Mix well.

Form falafel mixture into patties or balls. I use a spoon to drop onto baking sheet and form into patties. I like to freeze patties for 5-10 minutes so they’re easier to work with.

Frying Falafel:

In a deep frying pan on low-medium heat coat the bottom with oil (about 1 cm, but you will need to add more for each new batch).

Place patties or balls in pan and brown on both sides. I recommend placing cooked falafel on plate covered in paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Baking Falafel:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place falafel balls or patties onto greased baking sheet.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until light brown.

Tzaztiki Sauce Directions:

In large bowl use cheese grater to shred cucumbers.

Place shredded cucumber in cheesecloth or kitchen towel and drain all the liquid. This takes some muscle to make sure excess water is removed. Make sure to save your cucumber juice to add to a glass of water! It’s wonderful for your skin. ;)

In same bowl with cucumber juice removed add shredded cucumber, yogurt, grated garlic, dill, salt, pepper, and lemon. I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and if you feel it needs more add in a little extra.

Mix tzaztiki sauce until well combined.

Falafel Assembly:

This is where you get creative!

Place falafel in a pita and add in feta cheese, greek olives, avocado, and red onion for a heathy gyro alternative.

You can also put falafel on bed of salad greens for a hearty greek salad.

This recipe makes 35-40 balls or patties

Place in freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months!

Top both options with tzaztiki sauce and enjoy!