Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels

Falafel and roast dinner aren’t two things that you’d usually associate with each other, but I can tell you that these little chickpea bites are anything but strange.

Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels

I originally made these off the cuff when a good friend (and her black kitten called Tofu) came to my home for a family Easter Day lunch. Being part of a carnivorous household, I am used to fending for myself when it comes to the main attraction of a roast dinner, but I must say I felt the pressure to impress on this occasion. With only one slice of homemade lentil veggie nut roast in the freezer, I turned to the store cupboard for inspiration. I needed something filling, hearty and plant-based to go with the array of cooked vegetables, roast potatoes and gravy on offer.

Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels

So, I thought of roast dinner flavours and threw them in a food processor with some chickpeas, and WOW. The fruitiness of cranberries marries so well with the creamy chestnuts and the blend of dried herbs. We were so impressed with the results, so much so that I’ve had to make them several times since, initially to write down a recipe! I am now so excited to share this with you as part of my Christmas collection of recipes. I love to serve them with my favourite coconut honey roasted parsnips and carrots, my balsamic glazed Brussel sprouts and rosemary roasted new potatoes. They equally taste great as part of a Buddha-bowl style meal or in place of original falafel in a wrap or pitta with some hummus. Or simply snack on them from the oven, they are so tasty! Plus, they will keep you going thanks to the protein and fibre rich proteins, the fuel from the oats and a delicious boost from the cranberries and chestnuts.

I present to you: roast dinner in a ball. More nutritious and meal-worthy than stuffing, but with all the flavour, comfort and texture of a good nut roast. I hope you’ll enjoy them.

Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels

  • Servings: 12 balls
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Christmas spiced stuffing falafel balls full of festive herbs, chestnuts and cranberries. Enjoy these as a side or as the star of the show.

Ingredients

  • 1 tin chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 50g dried cranberries
  • 80g pre-cooked chestnuts
  • 20g oats
  • ½ – 1 tsp miso paste
  • ½ tsp each: dried sage, thyme and rosemary
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 160Fan/180*C.
  2. Place all the ingredients in a blender and whizz until fully incorporated. I like mine quite chunky so be careful not to over-blend the mix.
  3. Using a tablespoon roll the falafel mix into balls and place on a lined baking tray.
  4. Cook in the oven for 20-25mins until crisp on the outside.
  5. These will keep for a couple of days in the fridge, or equally freeze the raw balls in portions.
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels

I look forward to hearing what you’ll all think of my Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafels as part of my Christmas collection of recipes. Please leave your thoughts in the section below and be sure to tag me in your creations – I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. 
You can also find me on TwitterFacebook and Pinterest – do say hi! 

With festive love x

  1. […] Christmas favourites or as the start of the show in a grain bowl. I like to serve mine with my Cranberry and Chestnut Stuffing Falafels and my Coconut Honey Roasted Parsnips and Carrots. Don’t leave it until the big day to make these […]

  2. sophielol says:

    Hi Amy. These little stuffing balls look great! I love stuffing with my Christmas dinner and Sunday roasts. if I don’t like normal chestnuts, (I like water chestnuts which you find in Chinese stir fry) what could I replace with? Need your expert opinion…? Keep up your great food blog, I so want to be like you expert cook and fabulous photography! As well as your a,zing Instagram as well xxxx

  3. Salt Valley says:

    These look so good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  4. […] Yes, I am a big fan of falafel and cannot believe this is only my second recipe post – besides my Christmas themed Stuffing Falafel Balls. I am always looking for new and wonderful ways to enjoy the chickpea-based ball as the new recipes […]

  5. […] you are looking for more falafel recipes, try my Hazelnut and Paprika Falafel or Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Falafel and for more hummus importation, Simple and Creamy Hummus or Edamame and Artichoke Hummus or even […]

  6. […] I asked what sort of festive recipes you’d like to see. Along with calls for nut roast and stuffing (both of which you can find links for!), there was a desire for cinnamon rolls with a cool twist. […]

  7. […] you are looking for more festive recipes, how about my Veggie Nut Roast (Vegan and GF), Stuffing Falafel Balls, Spiced Parsnip and Cauliflower Soup and my range of festive […]

Leave a Reply