I love making Chickpea Easy Recipes and this Mediterranean Chickpea Fritter is a standout in my collection. With hearty chickpeas, fresh parsley, cumin, and a hint of lemon, its vibrant flavor profile pairs perfectly with any meal. Every bite offers a delightful twist on traditional vegetarian treats, inviting you to explore more.
I gotta tell you, these Mediterranean Chickpea Fritters are one of my new favorites. I first whipped them up when I had a craving for something quick, healthy, and full of flavor.
I started with a can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed, added a small finely chopped onion, some minced garlic and even an egg to bind everything together. I blended in a bit of flour (either chickpea or all-purpose) along with fresh parsley and a little mint for a fun twist.
The cumin powder and baking powder lend a surprising kick, while a squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the whole mix. I’ve enjoyed them as a tasty appetizer, with a crisp salad, or even as part of my meal prep for a busy week.
They’re simple and versatile, and perfect if you like recipes with chickpeas that are both easy to make and kind of healthy lunch ideas. Enjoy!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because it’s super quick and easy to make, even when I’m in a hurry. I appreciate how the chickpeas still have a bit of a chunky texture after I mash them, it gives the fritters a unique bite that I really enjoy. I really dig the mix of flavors from the herbs and spices, like the cumin and lemon juice, which makes every bite feel fresh and a little tangy. And since I can fry them up in just a few minutes i also love that i can make a batch ahead of time for meal prep or use them as an appetizer if i’ve got friends over.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fibre, makin the fritters hearty and nutritious.
- Onions add a mild sweetness and crunchy texture, elevating the overall flavour of the dish.
- Garlic provides a strong aroma and healthy antioxidants, giving the recipe a delicious kick.
- Egg works as a binder so all of the ingredients stick together just right.
- Lemon juice brings a tangy, bright flavour that cuts through the richness in a perfect way.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup flour (chickpea flour or regular all-purpose)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for frying
How to Make this
1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then mash them in a large bowl so there are still some chunks left.
2. Stir in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic until they’re well mixed in the mashed chickpeas.
3. Crack the egg into the mixture then add the flour, fresh parsley, and if you like, the chopped mint.
4. Sprinkle in the cumin powder, baking powder, a pinch of salt and pepper, and pour in the lemon juice.
5. Stir everything together until just combined; if the mix seems too wet, you could add a little more flour.
6. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes so that the flavors have time to blend.
7. While the mix rests, heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
8. Scoop a portion of the mixture with a spoon and gently pat it into a patty shape; then carefully drop it into the hot oil.
9. Fry the fritters for roughly 3-4 minutes on each side until they get a nice, golden crust.
10. Remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a paper towel lined plate, then serve warm with a side salad or as a tasty appetizer.
Equipment Needed
1. A large bowl for mashing the chickpeas and mixing all the ingredients
2. A fork or potato masher to roughly mash the chickpeas
3. A chopping board and a knife for finely chopping the onion, garlic, parsley, and mint
4. Measuring cups and spoons to get the flour, lemon juice, cumin, and baking powder right
5. A frying pan for cooking the fritters in olive oil
6. A spatula to help flip the fritters during frying
7. A colander for draining the chickpeas before you start cooking
8. A plate lined with paper towels for draining excess oil after frying
FAQ
Chickpea Fritters Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- For the small onion, you could use red onions or shallots instead if that’s what you have on hand; they bring a slightly sweeter flavor
- If you dont have garlic cloves, try using a pinch of garlic powder (start with a little cuz it can be stronger)
- Instead of using an egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes; this works well as a binder and is great if you’re goin vegan
- If you’re out of chickpea flour, you can swap it with regular all-purpose flour, though it may give the fritters a slightly different flavor and texture
- For fresh mint, basil or cilantro can be used instead; each herb adds a unique twist so feel free to experiment a bit
Pro Tips
1. Try toasting the cumin powder in a dry pan for just a minute or two before mixing it in. It really brings out its flavor, and trust me, it makes a big diffence in the overall taste.
2. If you got time, let the chickpea mix sit for longer than 10 minutes. Even an extra 5 or 10 minutes can help the flavors blend way better, making the fritters tastier.
3. Check the consistency of your mixture before forming the patties. If it seems a bit too wet, don’t be afraid to add a little extra flour so they hold together better when you fry them.
4. When you’re frying, always do a little test patty first to see if the oil is hot enough. That way, you can avoid the mess of soggy fritters and get that perfect golden crust every time.
Chickpea Fritters Recipe
I love making Chickpea Easy Recipes and this Mediterranean Chickpea Fritter is a standout in my collection. With hearty chickpeas, fresh parsley, cumin, and a hint of lemon, its vibrant flavor profile pairs perfectly with any meal. Every bite offers a delightful twist on traditional vegetarian treats, inviting you to explore more.
4
servings
200
kcal
Equipment: 1. A large bowl for mashing the chickpeas and mixing all the ingredients
2. A fork or potato masher to roughly mash the chickpeas
3. A chopping board and a knife for finely chopping the onion, garlic, parsley, and mint
4. Measuring cups and spoons to get the flour, lemon juice, cumin, and baking powder right
5. A frying pan for cooking the fritters in olive oil
6. A spatula to help flip the fritters during frying
7. A colander for draining the chickpeas before you start cooking
8. A plate lined with paper towels for draining excess oil after frying
Ingredients
-
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
-
1 small onion, finely chopped
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 egg
-
1/4 cup flour (chickpea flour or regular all-purpose)
-
1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
-
1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
-
1 teaspoon cumin powder
-
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
-
2 tablespoons lemon juice
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
-
Olive oil, for frying
Directions
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then mash them in a large bowl so there are still some chunks left.
- Stir in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic until they're well mixed in the mashed chickpeas.
- Crack the egg into the mixture then add the flour, fresh parsley, and if you like, the chopped mint.
- Sprinkle in the cumin powder, baking powder, a pinch of salt and pepper, and pour in the lemon juice.
- Stir everything together until just combined; if the mix seems too wet, you could add a little more flour.
- Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes so that the flavors have time to blend.
- While the mix rests, heat a generous drizzle of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Scoop a portion of the mixture with a spoon and gently pat it into a patty shape; then carefully drop it into the hot oil.
- Fry the fritters for roughly 3-4 minutes on each side until they get a nice, golden crust.
- Remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a paper towel lined plate, then serve warm with a side salad or as a tasty appetizer.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 150g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 200kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 2g
- Monounsaturated: 4g
- Cholesterol: 46mg
- Sodium: 400mg
- Potassium: 300mg
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Vitamin A: 200IU
- Vitamin C: 5mg
- Calcium: 40mg
- Iron: 2mg