Oven-baked falafel bites recipe

If falafel is something you love but you'd like to make it even healthier, then this oven-baked recipe is a great one to try. Normally falafel is fried in oil to give it that dark, crispy coating. But these falafel bites are just brushed with a tiny amount of oil and then baked in the oven making them a healthier option. This is such a simple recipe as the chickpeas, salad leaves, onion, garlic, cumin and lemon are combined in the food processor with a beaten egg to bind them. Turn the whole thing into something different than the usual pitta pockets and sit them on a bed of couscous with a little natural yogurt.

Ingredients

• 400g tin of chickpeas, drained
• 1/2 bag mixed salad leaves (like rocket, watercress & spinach)
• 1/4 red onion, roughly chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 1 egg

Method

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5.Tip all of the ingredients into a food processor until everything is combined into a smooth paste.
2. Using two dessert spoons, shape the chickpea mixture into oval patties and place on a large non-stick baking tray. You should get 12 patties.
3. Brush the tops with oil and bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden.
4. Serve warm with couscous, natural yogurt and a hot chilli sauce.