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This large-format, weeknight-friendly take on falafel starts with canned chickpeas, instead of dried, and calls for baking instead of frying. Packed with herbs and a few heavy-hitting spices, the golden brown savory cake is first crisped in a skillet for optimal craggy edges, then finished in the oven until cooked through. To make it a meal, pair a wedge with a simple salad of cucumber, radishes, and quick-pickled red onion.
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What you’ll need
Citrus Juicer
$20 $15 At Amazon
Cast Iron Skillet
$30 At Amazon
Whisk
$10 At Amazon
Microplane Grater
$18 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
1
3
¼
1½
¾
¾
2
1
½
½
¼
2
1
2
2
1
3
2
Preparation
Step 1
Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Cut 1 large red onion into quarters. Thinly slice 1 quarter crosswise and place in a small bowl. Add 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice, ¼ tsp. sugar, and a big pinch of kosher salt and stir to combine, breaking up onion. Set aside to pickle.
Step 2
Transfer remaining onion quarters to a food processor and add ½ cup (packed) cilantro leaves, ½ cup (packed) parsley leaves, 2 Tbsp. cornstarch or potato starch, 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 tsp. Morton kosher salt, 1 tsp. ground cumin, ½ tsp. baking powder, ½ tsp. ground coriander, ¼ tsp. cayenne, a few grinds of black pepper, and 2 garlic cloves, finely grated. Pulse just until onion is chickpea-size (8–10 pulses). Add 1 large egg, beaten, and two 15.5-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed, and pulse until chickpeas are coarsely chopped (8–10 pulses).
Step 3
Heat 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil in a 10" ovenproof skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high and swirl to coat bottom and sides. Scrape in falafel mixture and pat into an even layer all the way to the edges of skillet. Cook falafel until starting to turn golden around the edges, about 5 minutes.
Step 4
Transfer skillet to oven and cook until falafel is set on top and browned around the edges, 18–22 minutes.
Step 5
Meanwhile, whisk 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, remaining 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. If yogurt is thick, thin with water, 1 Tbsp. at a time, to a drizzle-able consistency.
Step 6
Coarsely chop remaining ¼ cup (packed) cilantro leaves and ¼ cup (packed) parsley leaves and place in a medium bowl. Add 3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced, 2 radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced, and reserved pickled red onion; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle oil and some of pickling liquid over; toss salad to combine.
Step 7
Run a butter knife around edges of skillet to loosen falafel if needed, then carefully invert onto a plate. Cut into wedges and divide among plates. Serve with salad mounded on top and yogurt drizzled over. Season with more pepper.
How would you rate Big Baked Falafel Cake With Cucumber Salad?
Leave a Review
Reviews (67)
Back to TopWhile I wouldn't call it a "cake" it was still delicious. Easy 30 minute meal that I will definitely be making again.
Elle
Miami, FL
3/17/2024
Would this work cooked in a waffle iron instead?
JGP
Illinois
2/26/2024
A quick and tasty meal..
Anonymous
2/26/2024
I love this recipe, have made it many times! I broiled the top of the falafel, at the end of baking, for few minutes like others had suggested and that was a great addition. Leftovers are delicious. I added diced peaches to the cucumber salad because I needed to use them up and what a great addition! I think it needs a little sweetness somewhere to balance it out.
Leah Carolina
Bellingham WA
8/28/2023
I amped up the spices but it still fell flat. Definitely needed salting along the way. I’m going to squish it up, reseason and make mini cakes tomorrow
Anonymous
NYC
12/15/2022
Instead of flipping it, finish off under the broiler to crisp up the top and slide it out of the pan. No problems with breakage.
99bonk
Vermont
7/30/2022
This is a keeper! I cooked it for just 2 of us so I used one can of chickpeas but used the full amount of spices except for the cayenne. I blended everything about an hour before cooking so that the flavors could meld together. I actually would try making it into a finer mixture next time. For the yogurt I added Dill and cucumber, and skipped the pickled mixture. I also didn't have any Parsley or the full amount of Cilantro, so I used a mix of 3/4 cups of Cilantro, basil, and Oregano (all fresh). I realize that I edited this but gave it 5 stars, but I appreciate it as a basic recipe and will make it again.
OhioStephanie
Hudson, oh
7/28/2022