Baby Falafel Bites

This recipe is for 8+ months

Baby Falafel bites is a must try, especially if your baby is practicing baby-led weaning (BLW) or if you are recently starting to transition from purees to solids, they come out super soft, melting in baby’s mouth, making them easy for baby to chew and swallow. A gentle introduction to new flavors and textures, every bite being soft, pillowy and delicious.

These falafel bites are baked instead of fried, made with no breadcrumbs, egg-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free. Made with clean and wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, fresh herbs, olive oil and mild spices. This Mediterranean, Baby Falafel Bites dish is a great source of plant-based protein, which supports healthy growth and development. Chickpeas are also rich in fiber, helping with digestion and keeping little tummies happy. Falafel contains essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins, which are important for your baby’s energy and brain development. You can serve it along side veggies and fruit! So healthy & delicious!

The recipe calls for cooked chickpeas, you can boil some yourself or make it easy and use canned chickpeas. If cooking fresh chickpeas, I recommend soaking them the night before in water and leave in the refrigerator. The soaking process begins to break down some of the complex sugars and fibers in chickpeas that can cause gas or bloating, making them gentler on the digestive system. It can improve their nutrient absorption by helping reduce phytic acid, a natural compound that can inhibit the absorption of minerals like iron, calcium, and zinc. By soaking the chickpeas overnight and discarding the soaking water, you ensure that they cook more evenly and become softer.

Substitutions:

Cilantro: Can be replaced with a few parsley leaves

Onion: Can be replaced with 1/8 tsp onion powder

Garlic: Can be replaced with 1/8 tsp garlic powder

Olive oil: I really like olive oil for this recipe, but you can replace with avocado oil or any neutral oil

To make you will need a food processor to blend everything together

If you enjoyed this recipe try my baby hummus or beetroot hummus!

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Baby Falafel Bites

Author: Eating With Zion

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• ¹⁄₄ onion
• 1 small garlic clove
• A couple leaves of cilantro
• ¹⁄₄ cup olive oil
• ¹⁄₄ tsp cumin

Optional

• Pinch of salt (omit for younger babies)

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend till smooth
   
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1. With a small spoon add to baking tray with parchment paper (mixture is very soft, no need to touch it with your hands)
   
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1. Bake on 350F for 17-20 min
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1. When ready cool for 15 min & serve along side cucumbers, tomatoes and fruit
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