Crispy Baked Falafel Salad with Garlic Tahini Dressing

Packed with fresh herbs and spices, this crispy baked falafel salad with garlic tahini dressing recipe is so crispy, rich, and filled with an earthy, aromatic and spiced flavor.  I guarantee you're going to want to make this again pretty soon!

Falafel 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight       

  Note: 1 cup of dried chickpeas = 3 cups of soaked chickpeas

• 1/2 cup onion, roughly chopped

• 1 cup parsley, roughly chopped (about a one large bunch)

• 1 cup cilantro, roughly chopped (about a one large bunch)

• 3 garlic cloves, roasted

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• 1/2 tsp powdered ginger

• 1/2 tsp ground coriander

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 2 tbsp chickpea flour

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. 

2. Soak the dried chickpeas in water for 6-8hrs.

3. Drain and rinse the chickpeas.  Add the chickpeas, onion, parsley, ginger, cilantro, coriander, pepper, garlic, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a food processor. 

4. Pulse the food processor several times until dry.

5. If you find the mixture is too wet, you can add another tablespoon of chickpea flour. If it's too dry and crumbly, you can add a teaspoon or two of water or lemon juice.

6. Use an ice cream scoop scoop to form the falafel into balls or patties. 

7. Once the falafel are formed, place them on the parchment paper. Drizzle olive oil on the falafels and bake for 15 minutes, then flip them over again for about 10 minutes to evenly cook and become golden brown and crispy on the outside. 

Garlic Tahini Dressing:

Ingredients: 

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

• ¼ cup tahini

• 3 cloves garlic, roasted

• 3 tso lemon juice, to taste

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard

• 2 tsp maple syrup 

• ½ tsp fine sea salt

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 tsp ice-cold water

Instruction: 

1. Add all the ingredients into a blender.Start with Tbsp of Lemon. Reserve last tbsp to taste. Blend until creamy. 

Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado. sliced

• 1/2 onion, sliced

• bunch red and green leaf lettuce

• handful baby cherry tomatoes, cut in 1/2

• 1 lemon wedge 

• handful of mint leaves, minced (optional)

Instruction:

1. Assemble the salad. Add the falafel balls and drizzle with garlic tahini dressing. Enjoy!