Baked Chickpea Fritters

Ok, like I always say, full disclosure here! This recipe didn't start out as "baked" chickpea fritters. In fact, I was super excited to fry up these bad boys. However, I am obviously not a fancy chef with tons of experience. Despite being sure to make the chickpeas super dry before blending, and despite adjusting oil temperatures, every time I tried to put a fritter in the pan, it completely disintegrated. I mean, it was so gone that I thought I was losing it when I stuck it in the oil, turned around to give Ruby more black beans, and turned back to see it was gone!
So, I did what all mamas have to do when they still need dinner on the table. I got a little resourceful and decided to go with the healthier baking option ;) What you are about to read is a recipe for really delicious food, but it may not be the most tried and true method. If  you feel more comfortable frying your fritters, whip out that olive oil and enjoy!
Also, I wanted to make a plug for adding some yummy pita and hummus to the menu since they go so well together! If you need the recipe for both, head to http://giveagirlakitchen.blogspot.com/2014/07/homemade-pita-and-hummus.html.

Ingredients:
15 oz can of chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and dried
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. scallions, chopped
1 tbsp. parsley
2 tbsp. cilantro, minced
Olive oil

Directions:
This should literally be one of the easiest recipes you've made in a loooong time. Should be. So hopefully your food processor works better than mine does, because it wasn't... Anywho, make sure your chickpeas are very dry and drop them into the food processor. Blend them until they become a smooth paste. Add in the rest of the ingredients (minus the olive oil), blending between each ingredient. You should be left with a nice, thick paste of yummy smelling awesomeness. It's going to be hard, but leave it to firm up for an hour.

 When you've done your time, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Roll the paste into small balls the size of a heaping tablespoon. Roll each ball in a little bit of olive oil so that they are well covered and place them on a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap.

Cover the balls with another sheet, and press them each with a spoon to flatten into little patties. 

 

If you're going to fry them, good luck! But feel free to proceed to baking.

Place the patties on a baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes. Take out them out, flip them, and return to the oven for 3 minutes. You're done!

Your fritters should come out lightly browned and completely delicious, especially when you pair them with homemade pita and hummus!

Ruby says she will show you her food, but she is not going to share!