These crispy Chickpea Fritters are a quick and flavorful vegetarian dish made with canned chickpeas, fresh parsley, and garlic. Perfect for a light lunch, snack, or dinner. They’re pan-fried to golden perfection and ready in just 20 minutes.
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Quick Chickpea Fritters
If you are looking for a quick and easy meal ready in about 20 minutes this is the recipe for you. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside these chickpea fritters are a versatile meal you will find yourself making again and again.
Using canned chickpeas for convenience these fritters are naturally vegetarian and a perfect way to get in some plant based protein and fiber. They are also completely customizable you can make them over and over with different flavorings!
Ingredients
- Canned Chickpeas – Chickpeas are the base of this recipe, providing protein, fiber, and a naturally creamy texture when mashed. Their mild flavor makes them the perfect canvas for herbs, spices, and lemon, while their starchiness helps bind the fritters together.
- Fresh Parsley – Fresh parsley adds a burst of bright flavor and a pop of green color. It balances the flavor of the fritters by providing a nice freshness. You can also use other herbs for other flavors, try fresh cilantro or fresh basil.
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice is a must, don’t use the bottled stuff. The fresh juice brings a brightness to the fritters. It also slightly softens the chickpea mixture, helping everything meld together.
- Garlic – For flavor, I find that you don’t need more than once clove to get a good flavor since the recipe isn’t very large.
- All-Purpose Flour – Flour acts as a binder, helping the fritters hold their shape. It also crisps up when pan-fried, contributing to that golden, crunchy exterior.
- Kosher Salt – Salt for flavor and balance to the dish. Kosher salt is preferred, you can use sea salt if you don’t have kosher salt.
- Oil – A bit of oil is used for pan-frying, helping the fritters develop a crispy, golden crust. You can use any neutral oil like vegetable oil , extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, or avocado oil .
Instructions
Add the drained chickpeas to a large mixing bowl. Using the back of a fork or potato masher, mash the chickpeas until mostly broken down. It’s okay to leave a few small chunks for texture.
Stir in the chopped parsley, lemon juice, minced garlic, flour, and salt. Continue mixing and mashing until the mixture starts to hold together.
Divide the mixture into four equal parts. Use your hands to shape each portion into a round flattened patty.
Heat the oil in a nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, carefully add the fritters to the pan. Cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crisp on both sides.
Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Pair them with your favorite sauce, tuck them into a pita, or pile them on a salad.
tips, tricks and questions
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes you can, bake them on an oiled pan at 425°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be quite as crispy but still delicious. You can also throw these in the air fryer, cook until they are crispy and golden brown.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Absolutely. Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or chickpea flour.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet, oven, or air fryer until warmed through.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, freeze cooked fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen for a quick meal or snack.
Can I use dried chickpeas?
You can, but be sure to soak and cook them fully before using, you will want about 1 1/2 cups. This recipe is designed for canned chickpeas to save time.
What’s the difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans?
Nothing, they are the same thing there are just two different words for them. Whichever you call it they work in this recipe.
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Chickpea Fritters
These golden brown and crispy chickpea fritters are a quick and flavorful vegetarian dish made with canned chickpeas, fresh parsley, lemon, and garlic. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, they’re ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 (15.5oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Add the chickpeas to a large bowl. Use the back of a fork or a potato masher to mash the chickpeas so that they are most of the way mashed.
- Add the chopped parsley, lemon juice, minced garlic, flour, and kosher salt to the chickpeas. Mix all together and continue to mash the chickpeas more to mix everything together. Mix until the mixture will hold together, if you are having trouble with it sticking together add just a little more flour.
- Divide the chickpea fritter mixture into four pieces. Shape each piece into a fritter shape.
- Add a skillet over medium heat. Add the oil and let it get hot. Slowly add the chickpea fritter patties into the oiled pan.
- Cook 3 minutes then flip the fritters. Cook another 3 to 4 minutes until the chickpea fritter is browned and crisp on the outside. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
2 frittersAmount Per Serving: Calories: 346Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 921mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 11gSugar: 7gProtein: 14g
Nutritional data is automated and might not be 100% accurate, final nutritional information will depend on ingredients used and any changes made.
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