North African Chickpea Patties in Spicy Braai Sauce

Chickpea Patties are a tasty option for appetizers or a main vegetarian dish. Made with Fonio ancient grains, they’re also good for you! Yum.

I grew up on mostly a vegetarian diet. While I eat more meat now, I still enjoy my veggie dishes. There used to be a menu item at my school called “golden nuggets”… oh how I wish I had that recipe to make now. Those were my fav. I recently became friends with my high school culinary director on Facebook, so I should probably ask her. Other plant-forward favorites include Air Fryer Falafel Sandwiches, these Avocado Stuffed Mexican Flautas, and my Mind-Blowing Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese.

WATCH ME MAKE THESE ON THE GRAM!

INGREDIENTS FOR THIS RECIPE:

Fonio is a staple food across North and West Africa. As a heritage grain, it’s considered the continent’s oldest grown cereal. It has a similar texture to couscous and can be cooked in just a few minutes. I turned it into patties, but you can easily eat it on its own. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Drained Chickpeas
Yellow Onion
Fonio
Garlic Cloves
Chicken Bullion
Paprika
Italian Parsley
Liquid Aminos
Habanero Pepper
Salt
Cilantro

The chicken bullion is completely optional, and can be omitted to make this recipe 100% vegetarian. Personally, I like the flavor it adds… so that’s why I included it here.

CAN YOU MAKE THE PATTIES AHEAD OF TIME?

You ‘betcha! Once cooked, the patties should be consumed within 3 – 4 days. Simply allow them to cool, then place in a sealable container in the refrigerator. You could also freeze them for up to 3 months.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

To keep with the theme, I served mine nestled in Spicy African Braai Sauce. It has a a similar consistency to bbq sauce. If you’re a fan of heat, I defiantly recommend this combination.

These chickpea patties also taste wonderful inside sandwiches (with a drizzle of my Alabama White Sauce), on top of a salad, served with Nigerian Jollof Rice or over Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes as a main meal.

MORE VEGETARIAN & CONDIMENT FAVORITES:

Pan-Fried Chimichurri Rice Cakes

One Of The Easiest Farro Salad Recipes

Vietnamese Cold Noodles with Vinaigrette

Super Crispy Mashed Potato Pancakes

Habanero-Garlic African Pepper Sauce

Better Than Trader Joe’s Black Bean Dip

10-Minute Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

VIEW ALL RECIPES BY CLICKING HERE!

North African Chickpea Patties in Spicy Braai Sauce

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

35 mins

Chickpea Patties are a tasty option for appetizers or a main vegetarian dish. Made with Fonio ancient grains, they're also good for you! Yum.

Serves: 15

Ingredients

1 cup Fonio
15.5 oz. Chickpeas, drained
¼ Yellow Onion
3 Garlic Cloves
¼ cup Italian Parsley Leaves
1 tbsp. Liquid Aminos
1 Habanero Pepper
1 tbsp. Chicken Bullion
1 tsp. Paprika
½ tsp. Salt, or more to taste
Cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Fonio according to packaged directions and set aside.
Add all remaining ingredients, except for the cilantro, to a large food processor with the cooked Fonio. Pulse until smooth, scraping down the ingredients if needed. Place into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to rest and slightly harden.
Oil a baking sheet and form the batter into 15 patties.
Bake in a 450F preheated oven for 20 - 25 minutes, making sure to flip halfway through.
Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately with Spicy Braai Sauce.

NOTES ON THIS RECIPE:

If you can’t find Fonio at your local store, you can certainly order it online. I got mine through Amazon.
Since all of the ingredients are pulsed together in the food processor, there’s no need for chopping. However, if you want to make this without a food processor… simply mash the chickpeas with a potato masher, and mince the remaining ingredients. Make sure to mix well.
These also come out super crispy, and cook faster, when pan-fried. Simply add a shallow amount of vegetable or peanut oil to a sauté pan and brown on each side for 2 – 3 minutes over medium heat.