Falafel has become increasingly popular across London, one of my favourite places being Falafel King on Portobello Road in London! They create the perfect texture of crunchy outside and soft, moist delicious stuff on the inside. How do they create this perfect consistency in flavour and texture you wonder? By deep frying!!
I have since decided to create my own healthy version of falafel in my own kitchen as I began to miss those strong flavours of cumin and garlic with creamy tahini dip!
Being a huge foodie all my life, creating indulgent and wholesome dishes is always at the top of my priority list – and this really feels fulfilling and comforting during the winter season.
Admittedly I haven’t made the best of efforts in my food presentation here… but if you cast your imagination to a falafel burger wedged in-between a giant bread bun with lots of tahini dripping down the sides, topped with tzatziki, tabbouleh, hummus, fresh tomato and cucumber slices… you get the idea! You really can make this in whatever way you want. I enjoy it on it’s own, because sometimes simplicity is just best.
Tahini and Falafel Burgers
- Yield: 6–8 falafel burgers 1x
Description
Flavorful, crispy falafel burgers are packed with protein and easy to serve, drizzled with a creamy tahini sauce.
Ingredients
Falafel burgers:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
- 2-4 tbsp ground cumin (add gradually and taste)
- 4 sprigs fresh mint
- 10-15 sprigs fresh coriander
- 10-15 sprigs fresh parsley
- 1-2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp brown rice flour (or any gluten-free flour: gram, buckwheat)
- 10 wild garlic leaves (or 3 garlic cloves)
- Finely grated zest of 1 lemon + the juice
- 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (optional)
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Olive oil or coconut oil, for frying
Tahini Sauce:
- 1/2 cup tahini (sesame paste)
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1-2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4-6 tbsp cold water (to thin to desired consistency)
- Small handful fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
Make the falafel:
- Soak the chickpeas in filtered water for 8 hours or overnight.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
- Grind the chickpeas in a food processor with a pinch of salt until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs.
- Finely chop and prepare the remaining falafel ingredients.
- Add all remaining falafel ingredients to the food processor and blend until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and taste for seasoning.
- Wet your hands, then shape the mixture into medium-sized falafel burgers (keeping a small bowl of water nearby helps prevent sticking).
- Place the shaped falafel on a plate, cover with cling film, and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
Make the tahini sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. The mixture will seize up — that’s normal.
- Add cold water a tablespoon at a time, whisking until the sauce is smooth and creamy, with a consistency you can drizzle. Taste and adjust lemon or salt.
- Stir in the parsley if using.
Cook the burgers:
- Gently warm a little olive oil or coconut oil in a flat pan over medium heat.
- Remove the falafel burgers from the fridge.
- Cook on each side until brown and crisp, about 3–4 minutes per side.
- When cooked evenly on both sides, remove and serve with the tahini sauce.
Notes
Tahini sauce thickens in the fridge — stir in a splash of water to loosen before serving. Serve the falafel burgers with pita, sliced tomato, cucumber, and a generous drizzle of sauce.
- Category: Main
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of bread is best for serving the falafel burgers?
A giant bread bun works well to hold the falafel patty and toppings together, but you can also use pita bread for a more traditional touch.
How can I achieve a crunchy texture for the falafel burgers?
Deep frying the falafel patties is key to getting that crunchy outside, but you can also bake them for a healthier option, though the texture may differ.
What toppings do you recommend for the tahini and falafel burgers?
I suggest adding tzatziki, tabbouleh, hummus, and fresh tomato and cucumber slices to enhance the flavors and textures of the burger.
mhh yummy
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