Baked Falafel With Orange-Tahini Sauce Recipe

Baked Falafel With Orange-Tahini Sauce Recipe

  • 1 small red onion
  • 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice, divided
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar, divided
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained, rinsed
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup chopped parsley, divided
  • 5 tablespoons chickpea flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil, divided, plus more for pan
  • 4 pita breads
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 2 cups shredded green cabbage
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • Homemade or store-bought hummus (for serving)
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Thinly slice one-third of onion. Toss slices with 1/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl; set aside.
  2. Pulse chickpeas, garlic, coriander, cumin, 3/4 cup parsley, 1 tsp. salt, and remanining onion in a food processor until very coarsely chopped, about 30 seconds. Add flour and baking powder and pulse a few more times to combine.
  3. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Using a 1/4-cup measuring cup, portion out 12 ping pong-sized balls and place on sheet, spacing 1″ apart. Gently press down on tops to flatten slightly. Brush tops with 1 Tbsp. oil. Bake falafel, turning balls halfway through, until golden brown and crispy, 20–25 minutes. Wrap pitas in foil and warm in oven during last 5 minutes of baking.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk 1/4 cup oil and remaining 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon orange juice, 2 tsp. vinegar, and 1 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in tahini and 1/4 cup water until a smooth sauce forms.
  5. Whisk 2 Tbsp. pickling liquid from reserved onions with remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in another medium bowl. Add cabbage, tomatoes, and onions and toss to coat.
  6. Cut each pita into 4 pieces. Drizzle falafel with 2 Tbsp. tahini sauce and top with remaining 1/4 cup parsley. Serve with pita, hummus, salad, and remaining tahini sauce alongside.
  7. Falafel can be made 5 days ahead; store in an airtight container and chill, or freeze up to 1 month.