Falafel Burger

The Falafel Burger is a modern, plant-forward twist on the beloved Middle Eastern falafel, transforming the classic chickpea fritter into a hearty, satisfying patty. Rooted in traditional flavors like garlic, cumin, coriander, and fresh herbs, this burger keeps the soul of falafel intact while presenting it in a familiar, handheld format. It’s a perfect bridge between street-food tradition and contemporary comfort cooking.

Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, the falafel patty delivers bold, aromatic flavor with every bite. Fresh parsley and cilantro add brightness, while warm spices give depth and earthiness. Served on a toasted bun, the burger is often layered with crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, pickled vegetables, and a creamy sauce such as tahini, yogurt, or garlic aioli, creating a balanced mix of textures and flavors.

Ideal for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to enjoy a meatless meal without sacrificing satisfaction, the Falafel Burger works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for casual gatherings. It pairs beautifully with fries, salads, or pita chips and can be customized with spicy sauces or extra herbs. Wholesome, flavorful, and filling, the Falafel Burger proves that plant-based eating can be both exciting and deeply comforting.

Falafel Burger

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The Falafel Burger is a modern, plant-forward twist on the beloved Middle Eastern falafel, transforming the classic chickpea fritter into a hearty, satisfying patty. Rooted in traditional flavors like garlic, cumin, coriander, and fresh herbs, this burger keeps the soul of falafel intact while presenting it in a familiar, handheld format. It’s a perfect bridge between street-food tradition and contemporary comfort cooking.

Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, the falafel patty delivers bold, aromatic flavor with every bite. Fresh parsley and cilantro add brightness, while warm spices give depth and earthiness. Served on a toasted bun, the burger is often layered with crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, pickled vegetables, and a creamy sauce such as tahini, yogurt, or garlic aioli, creating a balanced mix of textures and flavors.

Ideal for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to enjoy a meatless meal without sacrificing satisfaction, the Falafel Burger works just as well for weeknight dinners as it does for casual gatherings. It pairs beautifully with fries, salads, or pita chips and can be customized with spicy sauces or extra herbs. Wholesome, flavorful, and filling, the Falafel Burger proves that plant-based eating can be both exciting and deeply comforting.

• Total Time: 18 minutes plus 14 hours chill time
• Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Roasted Garlic Aioli:

• 1 head roasted garlic, mashed to a paste
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2-3 dashes Tabasco sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Pickled red onions:

• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• pinch red pepper flakes

Falafel Patties:

• 2 cups dry chick peas
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/4 yellow onion, chopped
• 1/2 bunch curly parsley
• 1/2 bunch cilantro
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons oat flour (or all purpose flour)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Assemblage

• 2 pita breads (sliced in half) or 4 burger buns
• thinly sliced cucumbers

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Instructions

Roasted garlic aioli:

1. Whisk together  all the aioli ingredients into a mixing bowl. Cover and set aside.

Falafel patties:

1. In a mixing bowl, add the dry beans.  Fill with enough water to completely cover the beans. Allow beans to soak overnight, about 12 hours. Drain and set aside.
2. In a food processor, add garlic, onion, parsley, and cilantro. Pulse 4 to 5 times. Add chick peas and  the remaining ingredients.  Blend until finely ground and the mixture holds together.
3. Transfer to a mixing bowl, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. After the mixture has chilled, divide it into 4 portions and create patties.
5. Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet and chill for another 30 minutes.
6. Fill a skillet with 2 inches of oil, once the oil is hot, carefully add 1 to 2 patties at a time and fry for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Drain onto a paper towel.
7. Season with salt and pepper and repeat until all patties have been fried.

Qickled red onion

1. Whisk to dissolve sugar and salt in the vinegar. Add remaining ingredients, stir, cover and set aside.
2. Allow red onions to ‘pickle’ for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.

To assemble

1. Toast pita. Spread the aioli onto each patty and insert into the pita pocket.
2. Top patty with sliced cucumbers and pickled red onions.

• Author: Recipe Maker
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Main Dishes Lunch
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern