Sweet Potato Falafel
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The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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257 | Calories |
5g | Fat |
45g | Carbs |
10g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 257 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 5g | 6% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 3% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 430mg | 19% |
Total Carbohydrate 45g | 16% |
Dietary Fiber 10g | 36% |
Total Sugars 10g | |
Protein 10g | |
Vitamin C 18mg | 88% |
Calcium 133mg | 10% |
Iron 3mg | 16% |
Potassium 550mg | 12% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This recipe for sweet potato falafel is a win-win situation. Sweet potatoes are not only reasonably priced and readily available, but they also have a more interesting flavor than the white potato and are good for you.
Falafel is a Middle Eastern food that's made of highly spiced ground chickpeas that are formed into balls or slightly flattened croquettes and deep-fried.
This recipe combines ground chickpeas with mashed sweet potatoes for extra flavor and the falafel are baked instead of fried for a lighter calorie load.
Typically, falafel is tucked into a sliced pita to be eaten sandwich-style, but they also can be eaten as an appetizer with garlic yogurt sauce, toum, and tahini sauce. Or serve them warm with a thin slice of cucumber on top, held together with a toothpick.
Ingredients
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2 (4 1/2-ounce) medium sweet potatoes
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
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1 large yellow onion, finely diced
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2 tablespoons minced garlic
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2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
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1 teaspoon cumin
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1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
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2 tablespoons lemon juice
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1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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1/8 cup sesame seeds
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients. Heat oven to 425 F.
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Bake sweet potatoes for one hour or until they can be pierced easily with a fork. Alternatively, you can microwave the sweet potatoes (usually 20 minutes for two large sweet potatoes, depending on your microwave). Allow sweet potatoes to cool completely.
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Peel the skins off the cooled sweet potatoes and discard.
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Place cooled sweet potatoes in a large bowl and mash with a fork.
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Add flour, chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, lemon juice, and salt.
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Continue to mash with a fork until well combined and smooth in consistency. Alternatively, pulse all of the ingredients in a food processor for quick mashing.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga -
Lightly grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Using your hands, a melon baller, cookie scoop, or tablespoon, form the sweet potato mixture into small balls and place them 2 inches apart on the pan.
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Sprinkle with the desired amount of sesame seeds.
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Chill the falafel balls in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 375 F. Remove the chilled falafel balls from the refrigerator and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes or until golden and crispy.
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Serve and enjoy.
The Spruce / Diana Chistruga
Tips
- If you are starting with leftover cooked sweet potatoes, skip step 1 and go straight to mashing skinned cooked sweet potatoes with spices.
- If you choose to flatten the balls with a fork for a small falafel patty, bake them for about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Leftover cooked falafel can be saved if covered and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Reheat them in the oven or in the microwave.
- Try using the leftovers in a green salad with tahini sauce for the dressing or in pita pockets with lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, and tahini sauce or garlic sauce.
How to Store and Freeze
If you want some sweet potato falafel ready for later use, make up an extra batch and freeze them. Once you've shaped them into balls, place on a cookie sheet and freeze for an hour. Pull the falafel out and place in single layers in an airtight plastic container or freezer bag. To double up the layers, place a piece of wax paper in between. Frozen uncooked falafel should last for up to 6 months in the freezer. To prepare, thaw in the fridge and bake as directed.
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