⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 2 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes

🍽 Ingredients

• 1 can Chickpeas (canned, 15 ounces)
• 1/2 cup, chopped Onion
• 2 cloves, minced Garlic
• 1/4 cup, chopped Parsley
• 1 tablespoon, ground Cumin
• 1 teaspoon, ground Coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• to taste Pepper
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1/4 cup Tahini
• 1/4 cup Lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 2 Slider buns
• as desired Optional Toppings (parsley, hot sauce, etc.)

📖 Instructions

1. First, we're making the falafel. Rinse one can (15 ounces) of chickpeas really well under cold water; this is crucial for a good texture. Drain them completely. Now, if you're using a food processor (I highly recommend it!), add the chickpeas, 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion, 2 cloves of garlic (minced or use a press, your choice!), 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Whir that up until it's mostly smooth but still slightly textured - you want some little bits of chickpea for that awesome falafel texture. If you're not using a food processor...well, respect to you. You're a warrior. Mash them up really well! Add all the other ingredients and mix it by hand; it'll be a workout.
2. Next, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it's hot, you'll form small patties from the chickpea mixture, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. I know you might be tempted to make them huge, but trust me on this - smaller is better. Fry them in batches, about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they're golden brown and crispy. Be patient – it’s worth the wait! Remove them from the pan and set them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
3. While the falafel is cooling slightly, let's whip up that tahini sauce. In a small saucepan, whisk together 1/4 cup of tahini, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a clove of garlic (minced – you have to love garlic!), and a pinch of salt. Whisk this vigorously until it's smooth and creamy. You might need to add a little more water to thin it out. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed - a dash of extra lemon or salt might make all the difference. Trust your taste buds, my friend!
4. Finally, assemble your sliders! Warm your slider buns briefly, either in a pan or toaster. Place a falafel patty on the bottom bun, top generously with the tahini sauce, and add any other desired toppings (I love a little extra parsley or a drizzle of hot sauce). Cover it with the other slider bun, and there you have it. A masterpiece. I might be biased, but it's a tasty one.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy! These are best eaten warm and fresh. And if you have any leftovers, well...that's your problem (and maybe a very delicious one!).

📝 Notes

• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the falafel mix.
• If the tahini sauce is too thick, add a teaspoon of water at a time until desired consistency is reached.
• Feel free to add other vegetables to the falafel mixture, such as zucchini or carrots.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the falafel, otherwise they might absorb too much oil and not get crispy enough!