Southwestern Falafel

May 12, 2023May 12, 20230 14
Savory Southwestern Falafel recipe for a delicious lunch or snack
in Appetizer

Prep

20 min

Cook

10 min

Ready In

30 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

1 quart vegetable oil for frying , or as needed
1 onion , quartered
1 small green bell pepper , chopped
1 egg
3 cloves garlic
1 package dry taco seasoning mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons peanut oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 can pinto beans , drained
1 dash hot sauce , or to taste
1 cup dry bread crumbs , or more as needed

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
6
Calories
465
Sugar
7g
Fat
32g
The Southwestern Falafel is a spin-off of the traditional chickpea-based dish originating from the Middle East. Instead of using chickpeas, this recipe uses pinto beans mixed with vegetables and spices such as cumin, hot sauce, and cayenne pepper to give it a southwestern kick. Falafels are a popular street food worldwide, often eaten as a sandwich stuffed into a pita with vegetables and sauce. They are also great to serve as an appetizer, snack, or main course. The Southwestern Falafel is a tasty and healthy option for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, perfect for those who love spicy food.

Instructions

1.Heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2.Place onion, green bell pepper, egg, and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped but not pureed.
3.In a mixing bowl, stir together taco seasoning mix, baking powder, peanut oil, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir in vegetable mixture, hot sauce, and pinto beans. Add enough bread crumbs to make the mixture workable.
4.Form the mixture into small balls or patties. Fry in vegetable oil until golden brown, turning once, for about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

PROS

The Southwestern Falafel is a flavorful twist on the traditional Middle Eastern dish, perfect for those who love spicy food.

These falafels are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with a burst of flavor in every bite.

Easy to make, affordable, and suitable for vegetarians.

CONS

The falafel mixture can be a bit tricky to handle at first, and requires patience to form the perfect ball or patty.

Deep-fried, which makes them high in calories and fat.

As with most spicy foods, they may not be suitable for everyone.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Falafels are naturally gluten-free and are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and nutrients such as manganese, folate, and copper, which support various body functions, including metabolism and immunity.
Cumin and cayenne pepper are known for their anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.

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