Go Back

Sweetpotato Falafel

Registered dietitian finalist for NCSPC Recipe Contest with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: Falafel, Greek yogurt, Healthy options, quinoa, RD approved, sweet potato
Calories: 1069kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 medium cloves garlic chopped
  • 2 cups stemmed chopped kale
  • 1/4 cup Italian parsley leaves
  • 1 15 ounce can of chickpeas drained
  • 1 cup cooked sweetpotato
  • 3/4 cup cooked quinoa
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Vegetable cooking spray
  • Yogurt Tahini Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon tahini
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 small clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Add the garlic, kale and parsley to the food processor and process for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the greens are finely chopped.
  • Add the chickpeas and process again until the beans are crumbled but not yet turned into paste. Remove half the contents of the process and put into a medium sized bowl.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the processor except for cooking spray. Process for 1 minute, until all the ingredients become incorporated but not too pasty
  • Add the processed mixture to the mixture in the bowl. Using a spatula, stir well to combine. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes for the flavors to blend.
  • Heat an oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Put parchment on a rimmed baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray.
  • Using a small cookie scoop, or melon baller, make balls the size of ping pong balls and place on baking sheet. Spray the tops with cooking spray.
  • Bake for 10 minutes on one side. Flip the balls over and bake another 10 minutes. When time is up, let the balls sit for 5 minutes to cool before serving them.
  • Serve in pita bread, on corn tortillas (pictured), or wrap in lettuce leaves, with a tahini-garlic sauce on the side.
  • Yogurt Tahini Sauce : Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Add a little water to thin, if desired.
  • Number of servings (yield): 4 servings (41.9g each)

Notes

Nutrition per serving (yogurt tahini sauce only): 65 calories; 5g total fat; 167mg sodium; 3g carbohydrates; 0g fiber; 2g protein
Number of servings (yield): 4 portions of 5 falafel balls each
Nutrition Facts
Sweetpotato Falafel
Serving Size
 
1
Amount per Serving
Calories
1069
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
32
g
49
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
13
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
9
g
Cholesterol
 
7
mg
2
%
Sodium
 
3215
mg
140
%
Potassium
 
2424
mg
69
%
Carbohydrates
 
153
g
51
%
Fiber
 
32
g
133
%
Sugar
 
13
g
14
%
Protein
 
55
g
110
%
Vitamin A
 
33742
IU
675
%
Vitamin C
 
205
mg
248
%
Calcium
 
698
mg
70
%
Iron
 
16
mg
89
%
Net Carbohydrates
 
121
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 1069kcal | Carbohydrates: 153g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 3215mg | Potassium: 2424mg | Fiber: 32g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 33742IU | Vitamin C: 205mg | Calcium: 698mg | Iron: 16mg | Net Carbohydrates: 121g