Spiced Pan-Fried Indian Chickpea Patties with Mint Yogurt Sauce
Golden pan-fried chickpea patties infused with warm spices, served with a cooling mint yogurt sauce for a satisfying vegetarian snack or appetizer. This Indian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, onion, garlic cloves 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
- 15 ounces, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 1 small, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup besan (gram flour)
- 3 tbsp oil for frying
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a food processor, pulse 15 ounces drained chickpeas until coarsely mashed but still slightly chunky. Transfer to a bowl and add 1 small finely chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, and 1 tsp salt. Mix well.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/4 cup besan (gram flour) to bind the mixture. Shape into 8 equal-sized patties about 2 inches in diameter.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp oil in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Step 4: For the sauce, mix 1/2 cup plain yogurt with 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth.
- Step 5: Serve the chickpea patties warm with the mint yogurt sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Pan-Fried Indian Chickpea Patties with Mint Yogurt Sauce 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 Spiced Pan-Fried Indian Chickpea Patties with Mint Yogurt Sauce?
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 canned chickpeas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Pan-Fried Indian Chickpea Patties with Mint Yogurt Sauce?
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 Spiced Pan-Fried Indian Chickpea Patties with Mint Yogurt Sauce 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 Spiced Pan-Fried Indian Chickpea Patties with Mint Yogurt Sauce 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.
