Half-Baked Mediterranean Falafel with Tzatziki
Crisp on the outside and tender inside, these half-baked falafel patties bring Mediterranean flavors with a refreshing cucumber tzatziki dip. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (mediterranean) ready in about 35 minutes pairs canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, fresh parsley, chopped, fresh cilantro, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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 canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, combine 1 cup drained canned chickpeas, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1 tsp salt. Pulse until coarsely blended but not pureed.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and pulse a few more times until mixture holds together. Form into 8 small patties.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook falafel patties for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown but not fully cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup grated and drained cucumber, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp chopped fresh dill, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to make tzatziki.
- Step 5: Finish falafel in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8 minutes until cooked through and crisp. Serve warm with the refreshing tzatziki dip.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Baked Mediterranean Falafel with Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 Half-Baked Mediterranean Falafel with Tzatziki?
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 fresh parsley, chopped from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Baked Mediterranean Falafel with Tzatziki?
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 Half-Baked Mediterranean Falafel with Tzatziki 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 Half-Baked Mediterranean Falafel with Tzatziki vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
