Sweet Potato Falafel

90 mins

144kcals

Moderate

Ingredients

250g dried chickpeas

175g diced sweet potato

175g diced butternut squash

1 tbsp coconut oil

0.5 large white onion

1 garlic clove

0.5 tsp ground cumin

0.5 tsp chilli flakes

2 tbsp plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

20g powdered seeds (flaxseeds etc)

Nutritional Info

Per ball/patty 

  • Calories 73
  • Protein 2.2g
  • Carbohydrates 9.2g
  • Sugars 3.4g
  • Fat 2.5g
  • Saturates 1g
  • Fibre 2.4g

Method

The night before you want to make the falafel, put the chickpeas in a large bowl with plenty of cold water and leave to soak overnight.

Heat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas 5.

Put the squash and sweet potato on a baking tray, drizzle with the oil and toss to coat. 

Bake for 25-30 mins, or until soft and beginning to caramelise. 

Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Blitz in a food processor until almost smooth. Refrigerate.

When you’re ready to make the falafel, heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6

Drain the chickpeas, then put in a food processor with the onion and garlic. 

Blitz until you have a coarse, thick paste with very finely chopped pieces of chickpea still visible. 

Be careful not to over-process or it will become too mushy – test by scooping a small amount into your hand and squeezing: it should hold its shape.

Tip the mixture into a large bowl, then add the prepared sweet potato and squash, spices, flour and baking powder. 

Season with salt and mix until well combined. Cover, and chill in the fridge for 30 mins-1 hour.

With wet hands, roll the mixture into 12 small balls – don’t worry about the shape being too perfect. Roll each ball in the powdered seeds to coat lightly.

Line a baking tray with baking parchment and lightly grease with oil. 

Place the falafels on it and bake in the oven for 25 mins (or until crisp and golden all over), turning once or twice. Serve hot.

Makes 12 falafel balls/patties.

1 serving = 2-3 balls