Who said that cake pop makers can only be used for cake? You can make just about anything, including a fresh batch of falafel. Simply toss the ingredients in the food processor, blend it up until you’ve got falafel dough, mold it into balls, and bake them in the cake pop maker until they’re a nice golden brown color.
Typically falafels would be fried in oil, but this version is conveniently baked in a cake pop maker for a healthier version.
These pint-sized bites of flavor are perfect for snacks, appetizers, side dishes or even a whole entrée if you’ve been craving Middle Eastern food.
Once you’ve prepared your falafel, you can do just about anything with them. Eat them by themselves, wrap them in tortillas or pitas with fresh vegetables, toss them into a salad, add some sauce and serve them as appetizers, or pack them in your child’s school lunch for tomorrow.
If you’re having guests over for dinner, pair your falafel with a yogurt sauce or tahini sauce. You can serve it on the side, or drizzle it over the falafel for an extra restaurant-quality touch.
You can also serve your falafel with Western dipping sauces (chipotle is one of my favorite for falafels), but Middle Eastern sauces tend to bring out the flavor and make your guests feel like they’re enjoying an authentic Middle Eastern dish. Something about the yogurt sauce is light and cooling compared to the warm crispiness of the falafel.
If you’re looking for a healthy snack for you or your kids, falafel is a great way to get more nutrients in your diet. Chickpeas, which are the base ingredient of this recipe, are packed with nutrients like calcium, magnesium and fiber. They may also help to lower your cholesterol and even boost your mental health.
Falafels are an easy-to-make, hearty, filling snack that are loaded with flavor, so heat some up and enjoy!
What are your favorite ways to serve falafel? Let us know your tips and tricks in the comment section below. And if you enjoyed this recipe, please share!
Cake Pop Maker Falafels
Ingredients
- 2 cups canned chickpeas - drained, rinsed and patted dry
- ¼ cup onion - roughly chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tsp. cumin powder
- ½ tsp. salt - or to taste
- 2-4 tbsp. flour - or more as needed to form the balls
Instructions
- Process all ingredients in a food processor (except for the flour). You will need to scrape down the sides a couple times. It should be coarse, you don't want to form a paste.
- Remove the mixture to a medium bowl. Add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time and combine until you can form balls with the dough. They should be dry enough that they don't stick to your hands. If needed, season again, to taste.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 30 mins. in the fridge to firm up some more.
- Form roughly 16 balls (try to make them the size of the cake pop maker cavities).
- Bake the falafels in the cake pop maker until golden brown, around 12 minutes (you may need to flip them halfway through if they don’t touch the upper baking plate of the cake pop maker).
- Cool for a few minutes and serve.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
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