Air Fryer Chickpea and Sweet Potato Patties with Tahini Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-04 · Updated 2026-07-04

Golden-browned chickpea and sweet potato patties crisped in the air fryer, served with a tangy tahini drizzle. This mediterranean-inspired vegan (vegetarian, gluten free option) ready in about 33 minutes blends cooked chickpeas, mashed roasted sweet potato, finely diced red onion into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 3, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• 1 cup, mashed roasted sweet potato
• 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup cooked chickpeas, 1 cup mashed roasted sweet potato, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the mixture until mostly smooth but with some texture remaining.
2. Step 2: Add 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to the mixture and stir well to bind the patties. Form the mixture into 6 equal-sized patties, about 3 inches in diameter.
3. Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush each patty with 1 tbsp olive oil on both sides to encourage browning.
4. Step 4: Place the patties in the air fryer basket without overlapping and cook for 10 minutes. Flip carefully and cook for an additional 8 minutes until golden and crisp on the outside.
5. Step 5: While patties cook, whisk together 3 tbsp tahini, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 2 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Add a pinch of salt if needed.
6. Step 6: Serve the warm patties drizzled generously with the tahini sauce, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.