Chickpea and Edamame Balls
Spiced Edamame Balls (75% Edamame, 25% Chickpeas)
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups cooked shelled edamame
- 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas (or about 1/3 can, 15 oz, drained and rinsed)
- 1/2 cup chickpea flour
- 1/4 cup finely diced onions
- 1/4 cup finely diced bell peppers
- 2-3 egg whites (start with 2, add third if needed)
- 2 tsp extra hot curry powder
- 1 tsp ground fenugreek
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- Optional: 1 tbsp lime juice for brightness
Instructions
Prep (can do 1-2 days ahead):
- If using frozen edamame, cook according to package directions, drain well, and let cool completely
- If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them well, then pat dry with paper towels
- In a large bowl, combine the edamame and chickpeas
- Mash together with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth but with some texture remaining (not a complete puree) - the mixture will be bright green with nice texture
- Add the finely diced onions and bell peppers to the mashed mixture
- Add 2 egg whites and mix well to combine
- Stir in curry powder, ground fenugreek, garlic, ginger powder, salt, and pepper
- Add chickpea flour gradually, mixing until the mixture holds together well
- Check consistency - if mixture seems too loose, add the third egg white
- Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes (this is important - helps the flour absorb moisture and improves binding)
- Form into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter (slightly smaller than a golf ball)
- Place on a parchment-lined tray
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook (chilling helps them firm up)
Air Frying:
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F
- Lightly spray the edamame balls with olive oil
- Place in air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between them
- Cook for 15-18 minutes, shaking the basket or rotating the balls halfway through at 8-9 minutes
- They're done when golden brown (with green undertones) and firm to the touch
Tips
- Critical: Let the mixture rest for the full 10 minutes before forming - this helps with binding
- The high edamame ratio makes these extra protein-rich and gives them a beautiful green color
- Edamame are softer than chickpeas, so handle gently when forming balls
- If mixture feels too wet after resting, add chickpea flour 1 tablespoon at a time
- If too dry and crumbly, add the third egg white or a splash of water
- These are more delicate than traditional falafel, so be gentle when flipping
- The bright green color looks amazing!
- These can be made spicier by adding crushed red pepper
- Serve with guacamole, salsa, or a cucumber-lime sauce
- Even higher in protein than the 50/50 version!
- These freeze well after cooking - reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes
Comments
Post a Comment