Dinner

Falafel Burgers with Houmous and Watercress Recipe

Name: Falafel Burgers with Houmous and Watercress Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 250g canned chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and dried; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, crushed; 2 tsp ground coriander; 2 tsp ground cumin; Small pack flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 2 rounded tbsp plain flour; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp vegetable oil, for frying; 100g houmous; 4 burger buns, cut in half; Watercress, a handful per burger

ByJake Silas January 16, 2026January 16, 2026

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Introduction

These falafel burgers are a delicious twist on the classic Middle Eastern treat, offering a satisfying and flavorful vegetarian option for burger lovers. Packed with fragrant spices and fresh herbs, they make a perfect meat-free meal that’s easy to prepare and enjoy.

A close-up image of a sandwich on a white plate, set on a white marbled surface. The sandwich has three main layers: a crispy, golden-brown round patty at the bottom with a slightly crumbly texture, topped with a creamy, light beige spread that looks smooth and thick right below the patty. Above the patty, there is a fresh bunch of green leafy watercress adding a bright, natural color and soft texture. The top layer is a crusty, round bread bun with a rustic, lightly browned exterior, slightly tilted to the side showing the inside layers clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

250g canned chickpeas
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
Small pack flat-leaf parsley, chopped
2 rounded tbsp plain flour
2 tbsp vegetable oil
100g houmous
4 burger buns, cut in half
Watercress, to serve

Instructions

Step 1: Drain, rinse, and dry the chickpeas thoroughly, then place them in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until they break up into coarse crumbs but are not completely smooth.
Step 2: Add the chopped onion, crushed garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, chopped parsley, plain flour, and some seasoning to the chickpeas. Continue pulsing until the mixture is well combined.
Step 3: Using your hands, gently shape the mixture into 4 patties, each about 10cm in diameter and 2cm thick.
Step 4: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Fry the falafel patties for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. You may need to cook them in batches.
Step 5: Lightly grill the cut sides of the burger buns in a griddle pan or under the grill until slightly toasted.
Step 6: Spread a generous layer of houmous on one half of each bun, top with a falafel patty, then add a handful of fresh watercress. Cover with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, you can bake the patties at 200°C (400°F) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the falafel mixture for a zesty kick.
Try serving with tahini sauce or pickled vegetables to enhance the flavors.
If you don’t have a food processor, mash the chickpeas by hand with a fork or potato masher, then finely chop the onion and parsley before mixing everything together.

Storage

Store any leftover falafel patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan or oven to retain their texture. The buns and houmous are best served fresh and should be stored separately to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

The image shows a sandwich on a round white plate with a white marbled background. The sandwich has three visible layers: the bottom layer is a toasted bread bun with a golden-brown crust, the middle layer is a thick green falafel patty with a slightly crisp texture, and on top of it is a smooth, light beige spread, likely hummus. The top layer is fresh, bright green leafy greens placed generously inside the sandwich, with the top half of the bread bun slightly tilted open, showing the inside clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?

Yes, but you’ll need to soak dried chickpeas overnight and cook them until tender before using. This adds extra time but can enhance the flavor and texture.

Are falafel burgers gluten-free?

Traditional falafel is naturally gluten-free, but this recipe uses plain flour as a binder. To make it gluten-free, substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free alternative like chickpea flour or rice flour.