Packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, these crispy Chickpea Fritters make a hearty addition to any meal.
Of all the types of legumes out there, my favorite is easily the chickpea (or garbanzo bean—same thing). There’s no competition. Why, you ask? It’s because they’re more flavorful, with a nuttier taste than most other legumes.
I make a batch of chickpeas once a week, usually with minimal seasonings. Once they’re cooked, I can create many different mains or sides with them. You can cook and mash them to make hummus, roast them to make crunchy snacks, or grind and fry them to make falafel. On a salad, they’re perfect right out of the can!
One of my favorite things to make with chickpeas are fritters. These little round patties encapsulate every fun thing about chickpeas: they’re crunchy, nutty, Parmesan-cheesy, and absolutely perfect for dipping. They fry up quick, and reheating leftovers is a breeze with a few minutes in an air fryer. Top ’em with tzatziki, toum, or whatever sauce your heart calls for!
Are These Chickpea Fritters Healthy?
Made with minimally processed ingredients, these chickpea fritters are healthy and loaded with fiber and plant-based protein, thanks to the chickpeas. Parmesan cheese adds some calcium.
For a slightly healthier fritter, you can bake them in the oven or cook them in an air fryer, which both require less oil. (If you bake or air-fry your fritters, be sure to brush them with oil all over to ensure a crispy texture.) You can also replace the all-purpose flour with a whole-wheat flour to increase the nutritional profile a little bit, or you can use a gluten-free substitute, if desired. If you prefer a vegan dish, simply swap the Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or use a vegan Parmesan.
Chickpea Fritters Vs. Falafel
The biggest difference between these fritters and falafel—the similar fritter-type chickpea snack—is that falafel patties are formed with ground, raw chickpeas. This chickpea fritter recipe, on the other hand, calls for canned chickpeas, which are already cooked. The cooked chickpeas are mashed for fritters, while raw chickpeas are ground in a food processor for falafel.
The two foods have other differences, too. Falafel traditionally includes fresh herbs and can include a bit of chopped onion and baking soda. Meanwhile, our fritters fold in Parmesan and skip the fresh herbs and onion.
Even though the two dishes may look a lot alike once cooked, the flavors and textures are much different.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Once cooked, store leftover chickpea fritters in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
Serving Suggestions
These little chickpea fritters make the perfect appetizer, and they go great with fresh slices of lemon or little bowls of dipping sauce like Keto Tzatziki, this Greek Yogurt Spinach Dip, or this Tasty Cottage Cheese Dip.
You can also use chickpea fritters to make a pita sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cucumber and tzatziki. They’re excellent served with—or on—a tabbouleh salad (like this Cauliflower Tabbouleh, for instance) or as part of a beautiful Mediterranean food spread.
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-4 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the chickpeas by draining and rinsing them thoroughly to reduce sodium content.
- In a mixing bowl, combine chickpeas with flour, Parmesan cheese, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and 2 tablespoons of water. Mash the mixture with a fork or a potato masher until smooth, adding more water if necessary to achieve a thick, moldable consistency.
- Form the mixture into small, flat patties, about ½ inch thick.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the fritters warm with your choice of dip, such as tzatziki or hummus, or with fresh lemon wedges.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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