Description
Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites are a refreshing and flavorful appetizer featuring a smooth chickpea purée seasoned with traditional falafel spices, served on crisp cucumber slices and garnished with fresh herbs and optional toppings like grape tomatoes and sriracha. Perfect for a light snack or party platter.
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 chickpea purée: In the bowl of a food processor, combine the chickpeas, Stonyfield Double Cream, tahini, lemon juice, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 1 tablespoon each of finely chopped parsley and cilantro. Process the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy.
- Slice the cucumber: Cut the English cucumber into ½-inch thick coins, creating uniform bite-sized rounds.
- Assemble the bites: Using a scoop or piping bag, place the chickpea purée on top of each cucumber slice evenly.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the remaining chopped parsley and cilantro over each bite. Add a dusting of ground paprika, and if desired, top with quartered grape tomatoes, thinly sliced shallots, and a drizzle of sriracha for an extra kick. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
- The chickpea purée can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- If the purée is not smooth enough after processing, continue blending; if it remains too thick, add an additional tablespoon of Double Cream or plain Greek yogurt to achieve desired consistency.
- For a decorative striped look on the cucumber slices, use a vegetable peeler to remove a few strips of skin lengthwise before slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices
- Calories: 75 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
