These fried and crispy falafel feature a more Greek-inspired profile with briny feta, spinach, and warm nutmeg. We're completing it all with a sweet yet cool yogurt sauce.
Growing up in NY, whenever I heard the term 'street food' I would think dirty water hot dogs or takeaway pizza. Now if you were to ask me, what comes to mind when I hear that term, I couldn't quite give you a simple answer.
The truth is street food is a universal term. Every culture and country has their own form or variation of such. You can learn a lot about a place and its people by what they have to offer at a vendor. Even here in the states, street food varies state-to-state.
Over the years I've come to appreciate a wide variety of 'street foods', from Liu Sha Bao (egg custard buns) to Aloo Tikki (potato patties). I've learned also that each leaves you feeling a different way. Some street food really feels like an indulgence, while others are hearty and feel homemade, leaving you with that, 'just how grandma used to make it' satisfaction.
We bring these experiences back with us to the kitchen, where we try to evoke those feelings again in order to share them with others.
Falafel has long been a favorite of mine. For me, it's the kind of street food you can enjoy everyday without feeling guilty or getting tired of because of its versatility.
I've made a lot of falafel here on Living the Gourmet over the years, each quite different from the other. Today's is no exception. It's a more Mediterranean interpretation with spinach, feta, and nutmeg. Rather than a traditional tzatziki, I made a different kind of yogurt dip to balance out the saltiness of the dish with a cool, slightly sweet sauce.
The final result is a light warm-weather dish that can be served as an appetizer alongside a cheese board for easy noshing, or a meal if served with a hearty green leaf salad and maybe fresh flatbreads. I even had some leftover the next day for breakfast with a fried egg. Serving suggestions are really limitless here, and I hope you give it a try soon.
More Chickpea Recipes to Love
Mediterranean Falafel- Again, inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, mostly Sicily though, these chickpea falafel are made of basil, capers, and Parmesan.
Chickpea Burgers- One of my favorite meatless meals to date, these chickpea burgers have been a hit with friends and family. They're easy to make and so, so satisfying.
Sundried Tomato Falafel- I've put on full display here how falafel can be served 'food board-style' with herring, warm bread, a fresh sauce, and avocado.
Spinach & Chickpea Falafel
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup of vanilla yogurt
- Dash of fresh ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp. of fresh ground black pepper
- Zest and juice of 1 small lemon
- 1 tablespoon of honey
For the Falafel:
- 12 oz. bag of frozen spinach - thawed and squeezed of excess water
- 4 oz. of feta
- 6 garlic cloves - crushed
- 1 tbs. olive oil
- 2 - 15.5 oz. cans of chickpeas - drained
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup of oats
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- Gratings of fresh nutmeg
- Dash of cinnamon
- 1 cup of Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp. of fresh ground black pepper or more
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
For the Dipping Sauce:
- Combine all of the ingredients for the dipping sauce in a small bowl and mix.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
For the Falafel:
- Be sure the spinach is squeezed to release excess water.
- Place the spinach in a large bowl along with the oats, eggs, Panko, chickpeas and seasonings.
- Heat a small cast iron frying pan with the olive oil and add the crushed garlic. Let the garlic get a slight golden. Let cool and then add to the chickpea mixture.
- Using a potato masher, mash the mixture.
- Let the mixture sit for 5 – 10 minutes before forming into desired sized balls.
- Heat a large cast iron frying pan with about ¼ inch of cooking oil.
- Form the mixture into desired sized balls and carefully place the balls into the heated oil.
- When one side is a beautiful golden color, turn over and finish on the other sides.
- Prepare a platter with paper towels to place the cooked balls to drain any excess oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 12.6 g
- Sodium: 1478.7 mg
- Fat: 23.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 80.2 g
- Protein: 28.9 g
- Cholesterol: 213.1 mg
Rhian Westbury says
I do love a good falafal, they make a good snack. But I've never tried to make my own before.... yet x
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Rhian,
I love a good falafal too!! I hope that you enjoy this recipe if you give it a try. Thank you for visiting. xo
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, This looks great to me! Love chickpeas and spinach...but can't eat the latter. My better half doesn't like chickpeas but she'd try these little balls of lusciousness... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Dave, Thank you always for visiting. I hope that you and Laurie enjoy these snacks if you give them a try. Please take care my friends.
Jupiter Hadley says
This looks really fun texturally and like it would be delicious to try! Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Jupiter. Thank you for visiting. I hope that you enjoy this recipe if you give it a try. Take care.
Talya Stone says
I absolutely love falafel but admit I have never made them from scratch before but now looking at this post I think I'll give it a shot. These look delish!
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Talya, Thank you for visiting. Please let me know how you enjoy this recipe if you give it a try.
Sarah Stockley says
Street food has come a long way, there is so much on offer. The falafal looks lovely, I am a big fan myself. I have never made it myself though so will have to try this out.
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Sarah, Thank you for visiting. I love different "street food" too. I hope that you enjoy this recipe if you give it a try. Please let me know. xo
Heather says
I love falafel! I never thought to put spinach in it, I must try this, love the idea!
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Heather, I love different versions of falafel too. I hope you enjoy this recipe. Please let me know if you give it a try. xo
Joanne Budah says
Delicious! Love this recipe!
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Joanne, Thank you for visiting and your kind words. I hope you like this recipe if you give it a try. xo
Lisa says
I love falafel and this recipe would be perfect for summer. The addition of spinach makes it even more delicious.
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Lisa, Thank you for visiting. I hope you enjoy this recipe, if you give it a try. Please let me know. xo
Samantha Donnelly says
I love falafel and have never made them before, these would make a lovely summer snack or party food
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Samantha, Thank you for visiting. It is a nice summer party/snack food. I hope that you enjoy it if you give it a try. Please let me know. xo
Natasha Mairs says
I just love falafels and eat them quite a lot. I have been looking for a nice easy-to-make falafel recipe, so I am so glad I found this one. Pinned it, so I can try it very soon.
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Natasha, Thank you for visiting. I hope that you enjoy this recipe if you give it a try. Please let me know how you like it. xo
Risa Lopez says
That looks so yummy! I'm saving the recipe. I would love to try it.
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you Risa, I hope that you enjoy it. Please let me know. xo
Yeah Lifestyle says
I do love snacking on falafel but not had then with spinach so going to try your version as it does look yummy
Asian Mosaic Design says
This looks so delicious!!! I can't wait to try Spinach chickpea falafel, I bet this is delicious...
Catherine Pappas says
Thank you!! I hope that you enjoy this dish! xo
Ipsita says
That looks so delicious! I am new at learning how to cook, and the recipes look great!