Falafel, Fried Chickpea Balls Stock Image Image of chickpea, frites from www.dreamstime.com
Introduction
If you're looking for a delicious and healthy snack that's easy to make, look no further than fried chickpea balls. These tasty treats are packed with protein, fiber, and other nutrients, making them a great choice for anyone looking to improve their diet. Plus, they're incredibly versatile and can be flavored in a variety of ways to suit your taste.
Ingredients
To make fried chickpea balls, you'll need the following ingredients:
1 can of chickpeas
1/2 cup of breadcrumbs
1/4 cup of chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup of chopped parsley
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
To make fried chickpea balls, follow these steps:
Drain and rinse the chickpeas in a colander.
In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas until they are roughly chopped.
Transfer the chickpeas to a large mixing bowl.
Add the breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper to the mixing bowl.
Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Form the mixture into small balls, about 1-2 inches in diameter.
In a large skillet, heat enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chickpea balls to the skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry the chickpea balls for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the chickpea balls from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil.
Serve the fried chickpea balls hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
Fried chickpea balls are a healthy snack option, as they are packed with protein, fiber, and other important nutrients. One serving of fried chickpea balls (about 4 balls) contains approximately:
Calories: 180
Protein: 8 grams
Carbohydrates: 22 grams
Fiber: 5 grams
Fat: 7 grams
Saturated Fat: 1 gram
Sodium: 230 milligrams
Iron: 15% of the Daily Value
Calcium: 4% of the Daily Value
Variations
One of the great things about fried chickpea balls is that they can be flavored in a variety of ways to suit your taste. Here are a few ideas for adding extra flavor to your chickpea balls:
Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mixture.
Mediterranean: Add some chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano to the mixture.
Indian: Add some curry powder, cumin, and coriander to the mixture.
Middle Eastern: Add some ground cumin, cinnamon, and a handful of chopped almonds to the mixture.
Conclusion
Fried chickpea balls are a delicious and healthy snack that's easy to make at home. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these tasty treats in no time. Plus, they're incredibly versatile and can be flavored in a variety of ways to suit your taste. So give them a try and see for yourself why fried chickpea balls are the ultimate snack food.