Cranberry Falafel Burgers with Garlic Tahini “Yogurt” Sauce
Enter into burger heaven… I’ve had these four times in one week LOL!!! I know I say that everything is so good, so either I am the world’s UN–pickiest eaters or you should just take my word for it… but these are SO GOOD! Falafel is something I just recently got into. It’s no secret of mine that I love chickpeas, so when I get to include them in a recipe I get super stoked. The other thing that I get really excited about is trying new foods! Maybe it’s weird, but I like get really excited. For this recipe I added opo squash. Huh?! What the heck is that?! That’s actually what I said when I saw it at the store. Now before I lose you, you don’t have to go on an opo squash hunt to make these delicious burgers, BUT I will say if you can find them, it’s worth trying! It’s a cross between a cucumber and zucchini and it has an almost buttery taste. It’s so yummy! You could substitute the opo squash for zucchini in this recipe, but go ahead and challenge yourself to try this new veggie 🙂 So let’s break it down:
We have gluten-free buns- check
Next, we have fresh arugula subbing in as our lettuce- check
Placed on top of this pink, oozy, addicting garlic tahini “yogurt” sauce. (Pink is optional, but so much more fun!)- check
All loaded on top of these cranberry opo falafel patties! check
Gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, and delicious- double check
So without any further ado… let’s do this!
Now you might be wondering why the pink sauce. Well for one, I like pink- pink food is fun, haha. BUT I use dragon fruit powder in a lot of my recipes as you might have noticed. Aside from being some of nature’s most beautiful fruit, dragon fruit (as well as in powdered form) is loaded with health benefits and has a very mild flavor so it’s not overbearing. Also known as Pink Pitaya Powder, this superfood is:
- Good source of fiber
- Rich in Antioxidants
- Vitamin C
- B1,B2 & B3
- Magnesium zinc Calcium
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Cranberry Falafel Burgers with Garlic Tahini "Yogurt" Sauce
Ingredients
Cranberry Opo Falafel Patties
- 1 can chickpeas, (drained and rinsed)
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1 cup chopped opo squash, (alternatively you can use zucchini)
- 1 tsp basil, (I used partially dried, but you can use fresh also)
- 2 tbsp vegan ricotta cheese, (see recipe below)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 tsp salt
- pinch pepper
Other
- buns
- arugula
- garlic tahini yogurt sauce, (see below)
Vegan Ricotta Cheese
- 2 cups slivered blanched almonds
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2-3/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Garlic Tahini "Yogurt" Sauce
- 5.3 oz cup vegan yogurt (greek style), (I used Rippl vanilla unsweetened)
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4-1/2 tsp cumin, (adjust according to taste preference)
- water to thin (if desired)
optional
- 1 tsp dragon fruit powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees
- In your food processor or blender, make your vegan ricotta. Blend until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a glass container
- * This is great kept in the fridge for use with other recipes, on a bagel, or used as dip!
- Next, place all the falafel ingredients in the same food processor/blender and blend until well combined
- Form the mixture into patties and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, flipping once halfway
- While your falafel is baking, make your tahini garlic sauce by whisking all the ingredients together in a small bowl (or you can alternatively blend it)
- I like to slightly grill my bun, you can alternatively place it in your oven for a bit too
- Assemble your burger and devour! Store leftover patties and sauce in the fridge
Notes
** Vegan Ricotta Cheese adapted slightly from Minimalist Baker
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About the author
Gina Fontana
Gina Fontana is a certified health coach, recipe developer, food photographer, published author, and blogger. Her own personal health challenges led her to a gluten-free, vegan, plant-based lifestyle where she found significant improvement in her symptoms. Her passion and mission is to now share that with others who also need (or want) to pursue a healthier lifestyle.
These sound SO good, Gina! I love all of the unusual flavors and textures going on here! I need that pink oozy sauce in my life, for sure. I keep meaning to try falafel burgers and you have officially inspired me! Can’t wait to try <3
Yay!! They are the BEST! And that sauce is to die for! ? I hope you love it! ?