Falafel Burgers with Spicy Tahini

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cosy night in with a delicious burger, and this Falafel Burgers with Spicy Tahini is bound to be the star of the show. Whether you’re catering to kids or adults, everyone can appreciate the heartiness of a well-crafted burger. In my opinion, a stellar veggie burger should match its meaty counterpart in both flavour and satisfaction. Just because it opts for a chickpea patty doesn’t mean it can’t deliver the indulgent pleasure of a juicy burger.

These chickpea veggie burgers, inspired by the flavours of falafel, boast a fresh and vibrant taste that’s just as gratifying and flavourful as traditional meat burgers, while also being a healthier option. Picture the delightful crunch of the fried chickpea patty, the tender herb-infused interior, and the luscious sauces cascading down your chin—it’s the epitome of burger perfection.

It’s no surprise that falafels have earned their place as a globally beloved handheld treat. If you’re a fan of these Middle Eastern chickpea fritters, you’re bound to fall head over heels for these burgers. Crafted with simple yet flavourful ingredients like fresh herbs, garlic, and spices, and utilising raw chickpeas for a satisfyingly robust texture, these meatless burgers are a culinary delight.

Serve them up on a soft homemade milk bun or brioche bun and all that’s left to complete the experience is a side of crispy fries and a refreshing beverage. It’s a meal that never fails to impress and satisfy.

What is Falafel? 

Get ready for a culinary adventure if you’re new to the world of falafel! Originating from the Middle East, falafel enthusiasts blend soaked chickpeas (or fava beans), fresh herbs, garlic, onions, and spices into balls, frying them until they’re irresistibly crispy. Whether served with sauces, on salads, or wrapped in a sandwich, falafel never fails to dazzle the taste buds with its fresh, crunchy, and utterly delicious flavour.

Now, imagine combining the goodness of falafel with the comfort of a veggie burger—that’s where falafel burgers come in! These burgers take the essence of a falafel sandwich and merge it with the ultimate veggie burger experience. Featuring a chickpea base infused with aromatic herbs and spices, along with raw chickpeas for a satisfying texture, falafel burgers are a flavour-packed, hearty delight that simply begs to be savoured.

But here’s the best part about this falafel recipe: it’s incredibly easy to make—all in one bowl! With just a food processor, you can puree onions and herbs together, then pulse in the remaining ingredients. Shape your burgers, fry them up, and voila! With minimal prep and cleanup required, you’ll be enjoying these mouthwatering falafel burgers in no time. So why wait? Dive into the world of falafel burgers and treat your taste buds to a truly satisfying experience!

Ingredients For Making Falafel Burgers with Spicy Tahini

To make these falafel Burgers you will need:

1. The star of these sliders is the homemade falafel. You will need raw chickpeas and fava beans (soaked overnight or for at least 6 hours), fresh parsley and coriander, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and lemon juice, chickpea flour, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper, oil for frying.
2. Slider Buns: If you can make mini milk buns, do that —they really elevate these sliders. But honestly, any small slider bun will do the trick.
3. Homemade Pickles and Onions: You’ve got to try these, even if you’re not usually a fan of onions. Quick-pickled onions bring a tangy kick that pairs perfectly with the falafel. The acidity they bring is unbeatable.
4. Lettuce: I prefer using butter lettuce leaves, but any greens will work a treat!
5. Spicy Tahini Hummus: The tahini adds even more flavour. It’s zesty, herby, and complements everything perfectly. Made with Classic Hummus, creamy tahini, yoghurt, sriracha sauce, and tamari/soy sauce its a winner. Of course, you could swap it out for classic hummus, mayo, or tzatziki, but give this sauce a chance—you won’t regret it.

How To Build The Falafel Burger with Spicy Tahini

After preparing the delicious and easy falafel recipe, you’ll need to assemble the burger. While you could add smashed avocado, tomato slices, or any toppings you prefer, for this classic falafel sandwich-turned-burger, we’re sticking with traditional options. Begin with homemade mini milk bread buns, then spread a layer of homemade spicy tahini sauce (you could also opt for Coriander and Mint Hummus, as it’s seriously good!). Next, stack crispy lettuce, slices of fresh tomato, cucumber, a falafel patty, pickled red onion, and fresh coriander or dill leaves. Drizzle a tablespoon of spicy tahini sauce over the top and add the top bun. Repeat for the remaining burgers. Deeeeelicious!

HelpFul Tips and Tricks to Make Falafel Burgers

• When frying, use a heavy-bottomed pan. This type of pan distributes heat evenly, ensuring consistent frying temperatures.
• Choose raw chickpeas. Cooking them creates firm patties that hold together well without the need for eggs, breadcrumbs, or flour.
• Consider using fava beans for added crispiness in the patty. If unavailable, chickpeas make a fine substitute.
• Expect the falafel mixture to be slightly crumbly. This is normal! Once you form patties, they will hold together better during frying. Handle them gently to prevent breakage.
• Use a spatula to transfer the patties into the hot oil. Form each patty, then gently flip it onto the spatula before sliding it into the oil. Fry one patty at a time for best results, though you can cook 3-4 patties simultaneously depending on pan size.
• Monitor the oil temperature. If patties brown too quickly (under 3 minutes), reduce the heat slightly. Conversely, if they take longer than 4 minutes to cook, increase the heat.
• If the mixture is too loose, add more flour as needed. The amount may vary depending on factors like moisture content from herbs, garlic, and onions.

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Falafel Burger with Spicy Tahini

Serves: 6 Burgers Prep Time: 25 Minutes + chilling time Cooking Time: 15 Minutes 15 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 5 voted )

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Ingredients

• ½ cup dry chickpeas (soaked overnight)
• ½ cup fava beans (soaked overnight)
• 1 cup heaped fresh coriander leaves
• 1 cup heaped flat parsley
• 1 small red onion, roughly chopped
• 2 large clove garlic, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, roughly chopped
• ½ tbsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper 
• 2 tbsp chickpea flour
• salt and pepper to taste
• vegetable oil, for frying 

For the Spicy Tahini Sauce

• ½ cup hummus
• ¼ cup tahini
• 2 tbsp greek yoghurt
• 1 tbsp sriracha 
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp tamari
• 3 tbsp water

For topping

• • 1 red onion
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 6 brioche burger buns
  • cucumber, sliced 
  • lettuce leaves
  • tomatoes, sliced
  • spicy tahini
  • coriander or dill leaves

method

1. Add the chickpeas and fava beans in separate bowls, rinse and soak in enough water. Cover and soak overnight. 
2. Drain the beans and wipe off any excess water. 
3. Peel the garlic cloves, roughly chop the red onion, and remove any large stalks from the coriander and parsley. Transfer everything, including the remaining falafel burger ingredients, to a food processor and pulse until the chickpeas are mostly broken down. The texture should be coarse but broken down enough so the ingredients hold together. Split the mixture in six equal part, then use the palms of your hands to form six compact burger patties. Transfer to a small dish and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30-40 minutes to firm.
4. Meanwhile thinly slice the red onion, transfer to a small bowl, pour over the apple cider vinegar and mix. Leave to one side to pickle.
5. Make the spicy tahini hummus - Add all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together to form a sauce. Keep aside.
6. When you’re almost ready to cook the patties, prepare the toppings by toasting the burger buns in a pan and slicing the tomato and cucumber.
7. Heat oil in a heavy base frying pan over a medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the patties and fry on each side for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown on both sides.
8. When you’re ready to build the burgers, add some spicy tahini sauce to the bottom bun, followed by a handful of crispy lettuce, slices of tomato, the falafel patty, more spicy tahini, cucumber, pickled red onion and fresh coriander leaves or dill leaves. Add the top bun and repeat for the remaining burgers.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you did, take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @poetryofspices!