Baked Chickpea Falafel with Tahini Drizzle and Pickled Turnips
A healthy twist on traditional falafel baked until golden and crisp, served with creamy tahini sauce and tangy pickled turnips. This lebanese-inspired vegetarian (vegan) ready in about 45 minutes pairs dried chickpeas, small onion, chopped, fresh parsley, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 dried chickpeas
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp water (for tahini sauce)
- 1/2 cup, sliced pickled turnips
- 4 small pita bread
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 1 cup dried chickpeas overnight in cold water. Drain and rinse before use.
- Step 2: In a food processor, combine soaked chickpeas, 1 small chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pulse until the mixture is coarse and holds together when pressed, about 30 seconds.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 4: Shape the falafel mixture into 12 small patties or balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the falafel are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/3 cup tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 3 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed to reach drizzle consistency.
- Step 7: Warm the 4 small pita breads briefly in the oven or on a skillet.
- Step 8: Serve baked falafel inside warm pita pockets topped with tahini sauce and 1/2 cup sliced pickled turnips for a bright, balanced flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Chickpea Falafel with Tahini Drizzle and Pickled Turnips take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Chickpea Falafel with Tahini Drizzle and Pickled Turnips?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried chickpeas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Chickpea Falafel with Tahini Drizzle and Pickled Turnips?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Chickpea Falafel with Tahini Drizzle and Pickled Turnips for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Chickpea Falafel with Tahini Drizzle and Pickled Turnips vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
