Baked Falafel With Orange-Tahini Sauce

A healthier baked version of traditional falafel served with a vibrant orange-tahini sauce and fresh vegetable salad. These crispy chickpea patties are seasoned with aromatic spices and served in warm pita bread with homemade tahini sauce and crunchy cabbage slaw.

4 servings
50 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole small red onion
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 cans chickpeas
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup chopped parsley
  • 5 tablespoons chickpea flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 4 pieces pita breads
  • ½ cup tahini
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup hummus

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 375°F. Thinly slice one-third of onion. Toss slices with 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl; set aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Pulse chickpeas, garlic, coriander, cumin, 3/4 cup parsley, 1 tsp. salt, and remanining onion in a food processor until very coarsely chopped, about 30 seconds. Add flour and baking powder and pulse a few more times to combine.

    5 min

  3. 3.

    Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, portion out 12 ping pong-sized balls and place on sheet, spacing 1" apart. Gently press down on tops to flatten slightly. Brush tops with 1 Tbsp. oil. Bake falafel, turning balls halfway through, until golden brown and crispy, 20-25 minutes. Wrap pitas in foil and warm in oven during last 5 minutes of baking.

    25 min

  4. 4.

    Meanwhile, whisk 1/4 cup oil and remaining 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon orange juice, 2 tsp. vinegar, and 1 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in tahini and 1/4 cup water until a smooth sauce forms.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Whisk 2 Tbsp. pickling liquid from reserved onions with remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in another medium bowl. Add cabbage, tomatoes, and onions and toss to coat.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Cut each pita into 4 pieces. Drizzle falafel with 2 Tbsp. tahini sauce and top with remaining 1/4 cup parsley. Serve with pita, hummus, salad, and remaining tahini sauce alongside.

    5 min

  7. 7.

    Falafel can be made 5 days ahead; store in an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 1 month.