Description
Delightful Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites featuring a smooth chickpea purée flavored with classic falafel spices, topped on fresh cucumber slices and garnished with herbs and optional vibrant toppings. A perfect healthy appetizer or snack that’s easy to prepare and packed with Middle Eastern-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
For Cucumber Bites:
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons Stonyfield Double Cream Plain (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, divided
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, divided
- 1 English cucumber
For Garnish (optional, but encouraged):
- Ground paprika
- Grape tomatoes, quartered
- Thinly sliced shallot
- Sriracha
Instructions
- Prepare the falafel purée: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the chickpeas, Stonyfield Double Cream Plain (or plain Greek yogurt), tahini, freshly squeezed lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and half of the chopped parsley and cilantro (1 tablespoon each). Process the mixture until smooth and creamy. If the purée is not smooth enough, process for longer; if too thick, add an additional tablespoon of Double Cream to achieve desired consistency.
- Slice the cucumber: Using a sharp knife, slice the English cucumber into ½-inch thick coins. Optionally, peel off a few strips of the cucumber skin lengthwise with a vegetable peeler before slicing to create a striped visual effect.
- Assemble the bites: Scoop or pipe the chickpea purée generously onto each cucumber slice to create bite-sized appetizers.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley and cilantro on top of the purée. Add optional garnishes such as a pinch of ground paprika, quartered grape tomatoes, thinly sliced shallot, and a drizzle of Sriracha to add color and flavor as desired.
Notes
- The chickpea purée can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to assemble.
- For a smoother texture, process chickpeas thoroughly and adjust creaminess with more yogurt or cream as needed.
- Creating stripes on cucumber slices by peeling stripes before slicing adds a decorative touch to the presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
