Description
These Spicy Chickpea Patties are a flavorful and healthy vegetarian dish inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine. Made with mashed chickpeas and a blend of spices, fresh herbs, and aromatics, these patties are crisped to golden perfection in a skillet. They’re perfect as a main course, appetizer, or packed in wraps and salads for a satisfying plant-based protein boost.
Ingredients
Scale
Chickpea Mixture
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (or oat flour for gluten-free)
- 1 egg (or flax egg for vegan – 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water)
For Cooking
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chickpea Base: In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas until mostly mashed but still retaining some texture. This gives the patties a pleasant chunkiness while ensuring they bind well.
- Mix Ingredients: Transfer the mashed chickpeas to a bowl. Add the finely chopped red onion, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, lemon juice, olive oil, breadcrumbs (or oat flour), and egg (or flax egg). Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined into a moldable mixture.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture evenly and shape into 6 small patties, about the size of your palm and about 1/2-inch thick, ensuring they hold together without cracking.
- Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Allow the oil to heat fully but not smoke; this ensures a crisp exterior when cooking the patties.
- Cook the Patties: Carefully place the patties into the skillet. Cook each side for 3–4 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are warmed through. Flip gently to avoid breaking the patties.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the patties warm with your favorite dip, inside wraps, or atop fresh salads for a delicious meal or snack.
Notes
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes).
- You can bake the patties instead of pan-frying: preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake patties for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- For gluten-free option, replace breadcrumbs with oat flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
