Crispy Falafel Bites Served with Tzatziki Sauce

Crispy Falafel Bites with Tzatziki: A Busy Mom’s Lifesaver

There are days when I look at the clock and realize that dinner is fast approaching, but my kitchen is still a war zone. As a busy mom, I’ve learned to whip up meals that are quick, easy, and kid-approved. Enter these Crispy Falafel Bites with Tzatziki. They’re crunchy, full of flavor, and made with wholesome ingredients that make me feel good about serving them to my family. Whenever I’m in search of a go-to crowd-pleaser, this recipe never fails me, and it often leads to requests for seconds! You may also find Crispy Falafel Bites useful.

Let’s dive right into these ingredients and see how to get this delicious dish on the table in no time. You may also find Crispy Salmon Bites With Honey Garlic Dip useful.

Gather Your Ingredients

First things first, here’s what you’ll need for the falafel bites and the tzatziki:

For the Tzatziki:

• 1 small Persian cucumber
• 3/4 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus a little extra for drizzling)
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Crispy Falafel Bites:

• 1 (15-oz) can chickpeas (drained, rinsed, and patted very dry)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 6 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1/3 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon seeded and chopped serrano chile
• 5 tablespoons chickpea flour or all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (divided, for pan-frying)

The Night This Saved Dinner

I remember one hectic weeknight when I had several activities lined up for the kids, and dinner was the last thing on my mind. These falafel bites saved me! The process is super simple, and while they’re frying in the pan, you can tidy up or catch your breath. Plus, you get to feel like a rockstar chef in no time.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Make the Tzatziki: Grate the cucumber, squeeze out any excess water, and combine it with the Greek yogurt, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, dill, mint, and kosher salt. Give it a good stir and let it chill in the refrigerator while you work on the falafel bites. This part is a game changer; the tzatziki adds a refreshing touch that balances out the crispy bites beautifully!

2. Prep the Chickpeas: In a food processor, pulse the rinsed and dried chickpeas until finely chopped, then transfer them to a bowl. You want them to have a nice texture—nothing too mushy!

3. Process the Fresh Herbs: In the same food processor, combine the cilantro, yellow onion, serrano chile, dill, and mint. Pulse until chopped finely, then add this herb mixture to the bowl with the chickpeas. The smell will make your mouth water!

4. Mix the Falafel Dough: Stir in the flour, tahini, cumin, baking powder, and kosher salt into the chickpea and herb mixture. Mix until everything is nicely combined. You’ll want a sticky yet manageable dough.

5. Shape the Bites: Form the mixture into about 24 small balls and gently flatten them into patties. They should hold together but be soft enough to give a little when you press down.

6. Time to Fry: Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for about 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. Adjust the oil as needed throughout the batches to ensure they don’t stick. I’ve found that using a high-quality oil makes a big difference in flavor.

7. Serve and Enjoy: Once the falafel bites are done, arrange them on a platter, drizzle the tzatziki with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle some fresh herbs on top, and serve them warm. They go perfectly alongside a salad or tucked into a pita with some veggies.

Easy Variations to Try

One of the fantastic things about making falafel is how versatile it is. You can mix things up by adding different spices like smoked paprika or swapping out the herbs based on what you have on hand. On busy nights, I even make Crispy Salmon Bites with Honey Garlic Dip instead if I want to keep the same vibe but change up the flavors a bit.

If you’re ever in a pinched timeframe, consider prepping these ahead of time. They freeze well, and all you have to do is pop them straight into a hot pan when you’re ready to eat!

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have some falafel bites left over (which is rare in my house), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They last about 3 days. When it’s time to reheat, a quick pass in the skillet helps them regain that crispy exterior.

Conclusion

Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend gathering, crispy falafel bites are sure to please everyone at the table. With their crunchy texture and fresh tzatziki, they make a delightful addition to any meal. For more inspiration, check out this article on crispy falafel bites that are a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Happy cooking!

Crispy Falafel Bites with Tzatziki

Delicious and crispy falafel bites served with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Calories: 220

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Tzatziki

• 1 small Persian cucumber
• 3/4 cup plain Greek-style yogurt
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil plus a little extra for drizzling
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Crispy Falafel Bites

• 1 (15-oz) can chickpeas drained, rinsed, and patted very dry
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 6 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1/3 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon seeded and chopped serrano chile
• 5 tablespoons chickpea flour or all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil divided, for pan-frying

Method

 

Preparation of Tzatziki

1. Grate the cucumber, squeeze out any excess water, and combine it with the Greek yogurt, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, dill, mint, and kosher salt. Give it a good stir and let it chill in the refrigerator while you work on the falafel bites.

Preparing the Falafel Bites

1. In a food processor, pulse the rinsed and dried chickpeas until finely chopped, then transfer them to a bowl.
2. In the same food processor, combine the cilantro, yellow onion, serrano chile, dill, and mint. Pulse until chopped finely, then add this herb mixture to the bowl with the chickpeas.
3. Stir in the flour, tahini, cumin, baking powder, and kosher salt into the chickpea and herb mixture. Mix until everything is nicely combined.
4. Form the mixture into about 24 small balls and gently flatten them into patties.

Cooking

1. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for about 3 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown.
2. Adjust the oil as needed throughout the batches to ensure they don’t stick.

Serving

1. Once the falafel bites are done, arrange them on a platter, drizzle the tzatziki with a bit of olive oil, sprinkle some fresh herbs on top, and serve them warm.

Notes

These falafel bites are versatile; feel free to add different spices or herbs. They freeze well, making them a great make-ahead option. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.