Baked Falafel Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

When we are at Epcot, I like to stop in Morocco for their falafel pitas.  Eating this at home with my eyes closed while listening to the Illuminations pre-show soundtrack brings me right back there.

At least for a second.  Then I come back to reality……

I made the mixture and the sauce and prepped the patties a few hours ahead of baking them and stored them in the fridge until I was ready to bake them and it turned out just fine.

With this recipe, we got 6 really generous sandwiches.

Baked Falafel Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

1 15 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 of a red onion, chopped
1 c packed fresh parsley and cilantro.  You determine the ratio you like
1 egg
1/3 c panko, additional may be needed
2 t. ground cumin
1 1/2 t. ground coriander
3/4 t. fresh ground pepper
1/4 t. sea salt
1 garlic clove, chopped
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/3 c white whole wheat flour
3 whole, whole wheat pitas sliced in half to stuff the pocket

Sauce:
2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 c. 2% plain greek yogurt
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 T. fresh parsley and cilantro combination

Garnishes:
Chopped romaine lettuce, sliced cucumber, red onion, sliced tomatoes

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with foil and spread a layer of olive oil on it.

In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion and parsley/cilantro combo.  Pulse until roughly chopped.  Add the egg, panko, cumin, coriander, garlic, cayenne, pepper and salt.  Pulse until mixture forms a chunky puree.  Transfer to a bowl.  If the mixture seems to wet, add additional panko.

Sprinkle flour on a small plate.  Scoop out 2 tablespoons chickpea mixture at a time and form into a balls.  Press down each to make a thick patty.

Lightly flour both sides, shaking off excess and place on the baking sheet.   Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.

Bake until bottoms are brown, about 12 minutes.  Flip patties and bake until other sides are golden, 7 minutes or so more.

Cool them to room temperature if you want a cold sandwich.  I like them a bit warm, though.

Assemble the pita halves with 3 falafel patties, sauce, and garnishes.

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Comments:
c = cup
t = teaspoon
T = tablespoon

I used Fage Greek yogurt and Feta that was pre-seasoned with mediterranean spices.