Roasted red pepper falafel
I have a love-hate relationship with falafel. I love the flavours and the crispy bits on the outside – and, as a vegetarian, I feel I really should enjoy them (especially considering that falafel and hummus in a wrap is the only vegetarian option in about 97% of cafés around here).
But as I’ve told you before, I sometimes find them sooo dryyy that they just suck all the moisture out of your mouth. Not really what you’re going for when eating a meal. It makes it really hard to enjoy them.
Since I know that falafel must have some redeeming features, deep (deep deep) down inside, I’ve set upon an accidental quest to prove to myself that falafel aren’t all bad. Okay, so my quest currently only consists of two attempts, but I’m sure more will follow.
First came my quick falafel, which were pan-fried, and ended up much, much softer and moister than most falafel – which I took to be a storming success. Loved these!
Next up are my roasted red pepper falafel – I blended up roasted red peppers, and added them to the chickpea mixture along with some sriracha for a bit of kick (told you I was obsessed, it’s becoming a problem).
These roasted red pepper falafel were another success! But, in a different way to before. This time, the flavour was incredible (roasted red peppers!!! In my falafel!) – sweet roasted peppers and spicy sriracha are an amazing combination. The texture was slightly more similar to the standard dry falafel than to my super moist previous version, though – probably because I baked these ones. Next time I’ll try pan-frying them instead. But, if you’re a lover of all varieties of falafel, you might be happy with them baked. Go crazy, do whatever suits you best.
Either way, I’m sure you’ll enjoy these roasted red pepper falafel! The flavours are seriously amazing, and once you’ve slathered them in tzatziki, or extra sriracha, or hummus (though chickpeas on chickpeas = weird), who’s going to care how they were cooked anyway?
Roasted red pepper falafel
If you’ve cooked this recipe, don’t forget to leave a star rating!
Print Pin CommentIngredients
- 2 large red peppers
- 1 tbsp oil
- 400 g tin chickpeas 240g, or ~ 1 1/4 cups, when drained, drained
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- Small bunch fresh coriander cilantro
- 1 tsp sriracha or more to taste
- Salt
- Black pepper
- To serve: pitta bread salad, hummus, tzatziki, sriracha
Instructions
- Halve the red peppers, and remove the core and seeds. Rub with a little oil, and roast at 190°C (Gas Mark 5 / 375°F) for about half an hour, until the peppers are soft and just beginning to crisp up.
- Turn the oven up to 200°C (Gas Mark 6 / 400°F).
- Place the roasted red peppers in a food processor with the drained chickpeas, garlic, coriander, and sriracha. Blitz until smooth, and season to taste, adding more sriracha if desired.
- Place dollops of the chickpea mixture on a lined baking tray, smoothing them out as much as you can. Bake for around 25 minutes, or until firm and slightly crispy. Serve with pitta bread, salad, and your choice of sauce.
Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.
Yes to falafel! I love the idea of mixing it up with roasted red pepper. Of course, I kind of love red bell pepper in practically anything, roasted or not, so there’s that. :) I think these would be great with an intense green herb sauce — maybe a chimichurri?
Yesss oooh that would be amazing!
We’re big consumers of falafel in this house and I love the idea of roasted red pepper flavour. I love them in a salad with a spot of grilled halloumi – yum!
I actually can’t think of a time when I’ve had halloumi and falafel together but I bet it’s an amazing combination!
We are a bit Sriracha-crazy here too. I even got a dried, grindable one in the US that really tastes good; great for keeping things dry if that’s what you want. Which is NOT want you want in a falafel. This one sounds yummy. I have been on an off-and-on quest to make a light, moist baked falafel (which I think I’ve managed to a degree), but mine have always been too ugly to post. Unlike these. They look lush. And of course always yummier with tzatziki and more sriraracha!
Oooh grindable sriracha sounds AMAZING! Then I really would put it on everything ;)
I made an impromptu roasted red pepper hummus this week with nubs of brazil nut added in (one random escapee from xmas) to help finish off some oatcakes. Great minds, eh? Having just ordered sriracha online, I’ll give these a go. I roast my peppers whole, though -they dry out less that way.
Love falafel most ways, tbh -dry or…*that* word! Sweet potato and currant ones are ace.
Roasted peppers are the best!! I do often roast my peppers whole, not sure why I didn’t this time! I guess you don’t need them to be too moist for these falafel otherwise the mixture would be too wet. I’ve never had sweet potato and currant falafel, sounds really interesting!
Oh I’m with you on this. I’ve had some really dry falafels. Roasted red peppers make everything good right? These look delicious.
Roasted red peppers definitely make everything good! So so tasty :)
Great recipe – I have the same issue with oven baked falafels being dry!
Yes I think maybe I should have pan fried these! But still absolutely lovely when served with sauce :)
Ohhh what a great idea!!! I have yet to make falafel at home because I do not like deep frying at home…But I may have to try these :) And I do too love falafel but it’s true how few places can actually make them right! Sometimes I feel like my entire mouth has been shredded by the sharp edges!
Haha I don’t think I’ve ever had sharp falafel!! And yes, you definitely don’t need to deep fry :) you can either bake them or just shallow fry, which is much less scary!!
Wow mine always comes out so messy and huge I have to try it this way x
I’ve never had falafel before but it looks really nice. I’d definitely have to have some ketchup or bbq sauce to dip it in x
Definitely, a bit of ketchup would work just fine haha
YUM, I love falafel! I love that you added more veggies to them, great idea!
Any excuse to get some more veggies in! :)