Baked Lentil Falafel - An easy, healthy alternative to the chickpea-based deep-fried balls, that are just as flavorful and crispy. Packed with vegetables for an added boost these patties make a great meal prep lunch too!
Ingredients
½cupDried Lentils, 100g dry, = 1¼ cup cooked
1cupBroccoli Florets, 90g
½cupCarrots, Chopped, 64g
⅓smallWhite Onion, Chopped, 35g
⅓cupFresh Cilantro, Chopped, about 15g
⅔3" longJalapeño Pepper, about 10g, de-seed for less spicy
1TbspTahini
1TbspMinced Garlic, or about 3-4 cloves
1½tspCumin Powder
½tspSalt
¼tspBlack Pepper
2TbspWhole Wheat Flour, or other
Instructions
Rinse lentils in cold water until it runs clear. Boil in 1½ cup water in a small pot over medium heat, add lentils, bring to simmer and cook until the lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
Place all ingredients - cooked lentils, broccoli, carrots, onion, cilantro, jalapeño, tahini, minced garlic, cumin, salt and pepper - in a food processor and pulse until finely minced. Do not over-pulse - the mixture will be grainy.
Transfer to a bowl, add the flour and mix well. Mixture should now hold together when shaped.
Use your hands or a cookie scoop to shape falafel mixture into small balls or patties and place on prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 25 until golden brown and crisp. See notes for alternative cooking options.