healthy dessert falafel

Do you ever think about how classic savory foods would taste if they were made into dessert? I do, and these sweet healthy dessert falafel are a delicious twist on the classic savory Middle Eastern baked falafel. Crispy on the outside, chunky and soft on the inside… mmhmm. Just watch out, because these are incredibly addictive! But it’s okay, because the are [mostly] healthy. 😉

You can eat them on their own, because they are sort of like chunky chickpea cookies. If you are wanting to create a more impressive dessert, dip the dessert falafel in melted chocolate or wrap them in a crepe. Omit the chocolate chips for a more traditional falafel texture. And add in some crushed walnuts and drizzle honey on top for a more baklava vibe.
Enjoy!!

step 1

Rinse one (15 oz) can chickpeas and let it drain in a strainer or on a clean kitchen towel for about 10 minutes.

step 2

Pour the chickpeas into a blender or food processor. Pulse about 10 times, until it becomes chunky.

step 3

To the blender or food processor, add ¼ cup crushed graham crackers or cookies of your choice, a pinch of sea salt, ¼ tsp ground cloves, ½ tsp nutmeg, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 Tbsp maple syrup and 4 dates (pitted and roughly chopped).
Blend until it forms a chunky mixture, only about one minute.

step 4

Add ½ cup chocolate chips and pulse until the chocolate chips are evenly distributed in the mixture.
PRO TIP: Be careful not to blend it too much – it should be more chunky than smooth in order to have that classic falafel texture.

step 5

With your hands, form 12 balls of the falafel mixture and lay them out on a baking sheet. Flatten them with the palm of your hand a bit, so the tops and bottoms are flat like traditional falafel.
Brush 1 Tbsp melted coconut oil on the top of each falafel.
Bake at 450°F for 20 – 25 minutes, until your healthy dessert falafel are crispy and dark golden brown on the outside.

via GIPHY