Feta filled Falafel Burger

Feta-filled falafel burgers are a delicious fusion Vegetarian burger recipe. A falafel patty filled with feta which just gives it that extra burst of flavor when you bite in. We eat a lot of Mediterranean food at home so one day and I thought why not make falafels with feta in them? I had a feta block at home thanks to the viral feta baked trend so I tried it out. I loved it and then thought this as a burger would be mindblowing and boy was I right! The patty is a mixture of chickpeas, black eye peas, roasted garlic, caramelized onions, and spices! A soft crisp burger layered with your favorite Mediterranean sauces- I used hummus and a chili sauce, the feta-filled falafel burger, lettuce, tomato, and pickled onions. It is just an explosion of flavors and is a must-try. This patty recipe is gluten-free and can be made Vegan if you use Vegan Feta cheese.

Happy Cooking!

Servings: 5-7 burgers

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cooking Time: 30-40 mins

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients: 
Falafel patty:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 8-10 Garlic cloves chopped

• 1 small yellow onion chopped

• 1 small red onion chopped

• 2 scallions chopped

• 1 tsp Cumin powder

• 1/2 tsp Chili powder

• 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning- optional

• 1/2 tsp Za’atar seasoning- optional

• 1/4 tsp Pepper

• 1/2-1 tsp Salt

• 1 tin -15.5oz- 1 1/4 cup Chickpea- check notes

• 2/3 cup Black eye peas- check notes

• 1/2 cup Parsley and Cilantro

• 1-2 tbsp Corn starch- check notes

• 2- 3 inch pc of Feta - 1 per burger patty (about 5-7)

Assemble as per your choice:

• Burger buns; I used brioche

• Lettuce

• Tomato slices

• Onions- Pickled onions taste great and add acidity

• Hummus

• Labneh

• Chili sauce

• Zaatar seasoning

Directions: 

1. In a pan, add olive oil. Add chopped garlic and cook it till it starts to brown.

2. Add chopped onions, and cook on low for about 15-20 mins till it starts caramelizing.

3. Add chopped scallions and cook for 2-3 mins till the whites are cooked through.

4. Add the spices and seasonings- salt, pepper, cumin powder, red chili powder, cajun seasonings, and zaatar seasonings. Cook on 1-2 mins and mix well. Let it cool.

5. In a food processor, add chickpeas, black eye peas, cooled onion mixture, coriander, and parsley. Pulse till everything is pulsed well and combined together. It should hold Its shape and be able to form a patty.

6. Divide the mixture into 5-7 divisions deepening on bun size.

7. Shape each division into a rough patty. Make an indentation in the center. Place a feta piece in the space and cover it with the patty. Shape it into a patty.

8. Deep fry/air fry and pan-fry it. Check notes.

9. Layer in a burger bun with hummus, lettuce, patty, tomato, chili sauce, labneh, or other Mediterranean sauces you like.

Notes/Tips:

• Chickpeas and Black eye peas- They should be boiled/cooked through and dry.

  • You can use canned lentils. Make sure you drain it and pat it dry with a paper towel.

  • If you use dry grains, soak for at least 6-8 hours. Boil till soft and drain and dry it with a paper towel.

  • If it’s still damp, add cornstarch when pulsing.

• Cooking- Cook till the exterior is cooked through and feta is melted well.

  • Deep fry- Deep fry in medium hot oil till brown and crispy.

  • Air fry- Spray with oil and cook in a preheated air fryer. Cook at 390F for 12-14 mins, flipping it midway.

  • Pan fry- Cook each side well with neutral oil.

• Make sure the grains are well pulsed.

• If you want, you can coat in bread crumbs for extra crunch,

• This recipe is great as falafels also.

• Feta crumbles do not work well as it is difficult to fill and can just melt into the patty.

• If you like potatoes in the patty, you can add 1-2 small boiled mashed potatoes to the mixture.