Let’s Make Some Falafels!

I am so proud of this one I love Falafels and I am so excited to have made an easy, healthy and delicious version. As Bennett is getting older, I am trying to focus more on making him foods that I like to eat as well. It makes it so much easier when I can make foods that the whole family enjoys aside from making multiple meals that are completely different. This goal has gotten me thinking about some of my favorite foods and how I could simplify the recipes to make them safe for Baby Led Weaning. Falafels was one the first things I thought that would be a great option for myself and for Bennett and after a couple tries I made a recipe that makes healthy and delicious Falafels. One of the best parts is that it cooks perfectly in an Air Fryer so you can avoid cooking them in oil if you have one. These also cook well in the oven I just prefer them cooked in the Air Fryer as they get a crunchier texture this way.

Why Chickpeas?

Personally, Chickpeas is one of my favorite foods and one of the best plant-based protein sources. Chickpeas are filling and versatile, I use them in many recipes for some added protein and nutrition and my little guy seems to love it every time. Chickpeas are not only high in Protein but they are also high in Fiber, both very important for our babies. They are a great source of Potassium and Magnesium which contribute to a healthy heart. Lastly, one of the best parts about using Chickpeas in your little one’s diet is that they are inexpensive and easy, one can is about a dollar and makes enough hummus to last you all week.

Ingredients:

• One Cup of Chickpeas (Canned)

• Two Teaspoons of Almond Milk

• One Teaspoon Garlic

• One Teaspoon Cumin

• 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder

• Two Tablespoons Flour (I recommend AP or Chickpea Flour)

• One Cup Parsley

• Juice from half a Lemon

• 1/4 Cup Diced Red Onion or Green Onion (Optional)

How To Make Them:

Let’s start by draining and rinsing your can of Chickpeas. Set that aside and chop your Red Onion and Parsley, we will just need to do a rough chop of these as we will be putting them into a food processor.

In your food processor, we will add in one cup of Chickpeas, Red Onion, Parsley, Almond Milk, Garlic, Cumin and Lemon Juice.

Blend until the mixture is smooth. Now we will want to form our Falafels (I like to use a cookie scoop to make the rounds). Place these onto a plate and put them in your fridge for one hour. After one hour take them out of the fridge and drizzle some Olive Oil or Avocado Oil on top of them (this will help them brown in the Air Fryer).

These are now ready to go into the Air Fryer at 365 degrees for 15-18 minutes flipping them half way through. If you do not have an Air Fryer you can cook them in the oven or fry them in oil.

Hope your little one likes them!