Weight Watchers Falafel

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Weight Watchers Falafel is a high-carb (23 grams) and healthy snack option for people trying to control their weight. The texture of these balls is light, crunchy, and wholesome. This flavorful Middle Eastern Cuisine is traditionally made with canned chickpeas, chopped garlic, fresh herbs, and spices. The mini balls resemble meatballs but they are actually meat-free. This recipe is designed according to Weight Watchers’ diet meal plan. It is low in calories and fat with high protein (6 grams). This Weight Watchers Falafel is a simple recipe. For this, mix the items, create shapes into rounds or patties, and bake or air fry until crispy. It is a guilt-free treat with only 130 kcals and two grams of fat in each serving. It’s the ideal recipe for every person who craves a nutritious appetizer or snack. Let’s start the recipe with the cooking directions ( listed below).

Equipment

  • Food Processor
  • Spatula
  • Air Fryer
  • Oven
  • Baking Tray
  • One Fork

Ingredients

  • Canned Chickpeas 15.5 ounce or 1 can
  • Chopped Fresh Parsley 1/4cup
  • Small-sized chopped onion 1
  • Crushed Garlic cloves 2
  • All-purpose Flour 2tbsp
  • Sea salt 3/4tp
  • Ground Cumin 1tsp
  • Crushed Coriander 1/2tsp
  • Ground Black Pepper 1/4tsp
  • Lemon Juice 2tbsps
  • Cayenne Pepper 1/4tsp
  • Calorie Controlled Spray Oil

Ingredient Notes

Chickpeas:

  • I prepare the balls with canned chickpeas. The canned chickpeas contain (a high content) sodium, so we wash them first before adding to the mixture.

Flour:

  • The main role of this item is to hold the batter. Replace it with chickpea, almond, or gluten-free (for a gluten diet).

Garlic Cloves:

  • To elevate the garlic flavor in the dish.

Calorie-Controlled Spray Oil:

  • You can use olive, or any cooking oil instead of calorie-controlled oil.

Instructions

Preparation of Falafel

  1. First, remove the lid of the canned chickpeas.
  2. Then, discard its water and wash the chickpeas with normal water.
  3. Set aside the chickpeas to dry.
  4. Next, add chopped garlic, onion, flour, cayenne pepper, black pepper, lemon juice, coriander, salt, and cumin in a food processor.
  5. Blend all ingredients until a mixture forms that is not too smooth but holds together the batter.
  6. After that, clean the sides of the processor with a spatula.
  7. The falafel mixture is ready. Next, make 12 to 15 round balls of this mixture.
  8. There are two ways to cook the falafel (mentioned below).

Baking in the oven

  1. Warm the oven to 350-degree temperature.
  2. Next, drizzle the baking tray with cooking spray. Shift the balls one by one in this tray.
  3. Mist the balls with cooking spray to prevent burning.
  4. Bake balls for 13/17 minutes or until they are dull brown.
  5. After fifteen minutes, check the balls with a fork.
  6. Once the balls are tender and baked, turn off the oven.
  7. The tasty balls are ready.

For the Air-fryer

  1. Put the air fryer on to 350 degrees.
  2. Mist the falafel balls with cooking spray. Then, transfer it into a preheated air fryer.
  3. Cook the balls for 10/15 minutes. Turn each side after 5 to 7 minutes so it cooks completely.
  4. The Weight Watchers Falafel are prepared. Enjoy with homemade or low-calorie sauce.

Alternatives of this dish

  • Replace the coriander with cilantro. You can prepare this recipe without these items. It is optional.
  • Instead of almond flour, use chickpea flour. It is effective and will not have an impact on the Weight Watchers points.

Serving Suggestions

Sandwich:

  • Serve it as a sandwich. For this, lightly toss the pita bread. Next, add sliced veggies like tomato, onion, mushrooms, or cucumbers. Then, add the cooked falafel balls and top it with any zero-point Weight Watchers sauce. The yummy falafel sandwiches are ready.

Salad:

  • Enjoy this with low-point salad dressings like simple girl organic dressing, Greek yogurt, fat-free ranch sauce, or olive garden Italian dressing.

Tips

  • Use fresh and uncooked chickpeas for the best flavors.
  • Add cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or sriracha for a spicy flavor.
  • Try this recipe with chickpea flour for extra taste and crunch.
  • You can coat the falafel balls with Weight Watchers breadcrumbs.
  • Make different shapes of balls like round, or patty form.
  • Avoid over-grinding the mixture otherwise the uniform shape will not form.

Storage Information

Fridge:

  • You can refrigerate the falafel balls for five to seven hours before baking/air frying. Store the cooked balls in a tight plastic box and refrigerate it for 3 to 4 days.

Freezer:

  • We can freeze the uncooked balls for 3 to 4 months. Defrost the frozen balls before cooking and cook as per instructions ( mentioned above).

Reheating:

  • You can reheat the balls in a microwave oven for 4/5 minutes.

FAQs

Can I deep-fry the balls?

  • We can’t deep fry the balls because the calorie points and Weight Watchers will increase. You can cook balls in a pan with minimum oil to maintain the point values. Other cooking methods are also discussed above (baking/air-fryer method).

Can I replace the canned chickpeas with another protein item?

  • Try this recipe with canned black beans, pinto, or kidney beans but I have never tried this recipe with beans.

How can we bind the mixture together?

  • Add all-purpose flour to the mixture to hold the batter. Instead of this, you can use eggs to bind the mixture firmly.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving

Serving Size 2 falafel
Total Quantity 10-12
Total Calories 130kcals
Carbohydrates 23g
Dietary Fiber 5g
Sugar 4g
Protein 6g
Total Fat 2g
Sodium 443mg
Iron 1.2mg

Total Weight Watchers Points Per Serving gives only 1 point.