These easy Greek chickpea patties are a healthy Mediterranean dinner idea: crispy, protein-packed, and perfect for a quick meatless meal.
For more patties recipes, check out our quick lentil patties, Greek zucchini patties, feta and corn fritters, and homemade falafel.
Nutritious, Flavorful, and Ready in Minutes
If you’re looking for a healthy Mediterranean dinner idea, these easy Greek chickpea patties are sure to become a favorite 🌿. Crispy outside, tender inside, and made with simple pantry ingredients, they’re a quick way to bring Mediterranean flavors to your table.
This recipe is Greek-inspired rather than fully traditional – though chickpea patties do exist in Greek cuisine, I’ve adapted the idea for a US kitchen with easy-to-find ingredients and a healthy twist.
Louise and I enjoy serving them as healthy chickpea fritters with a fresh salad and tzatziki sauce or tucked into warm pita with yogurt 🥗. They’re versatile, family-friendly, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep.
Best of all, these easy vegetarian patties are protein-rich, fiber-packed, and naturally low in saturated fats, making them a wholesome fit for a Mediterranean-style eating pattern 💛.
Ingredients
Find complete ingredient list, quantities, and substitutions in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.
- Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas make this recipe quick and easy. You can also use home-cooked dried chickpeas for a richer crispy chickpea cake.
- Onion: A yellow or white onion works best, but red onion or shallots add a sweeter note. Pre-chopped frozen onions are a great shortcut on busy nights.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic brings out the Mediterranean flavor. If you’re out, use garlic powder or roasted garlic for a milder taste.
- Lemon zest: Adds brightness and balances the hearty chickpeas. Lime zest or even a splash of orange zest can be used for a different citrus spin.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika adds depth, while sweet paprika keeps it mild. For spice lovers, swap in cayenne, chili powder, or even ground cumin.
- Dried oregano: A classic in Greek recipes.
- Fresh herbs: Parsley is classic, but dill gives a stronger Greek-inspired touch, and cilantro adds freshness. You can also mix in mint or basil for a twist.
- Flour: All-purpose binds the patties well. Substitute whole wheat flour for extra fiber or gluten-free flour if needed.
- Cheese: Parmesan adds nuttiness, while feta gives a salty punch and makes them taste more like a Greek vegetarian recipe. For dairy-free, try nutritional yeast.
- Water: Just enough to bring the mix together. Vegetable broth works too—we usually dissolve bouillon powder in water, which makes groceries lighter and lasts for weeks.
How to Make Chickpea Patties
Step 1 – Mix the Ingredients
Add the chickpeas, onion, garlic, lemon zest, paprika, herbs, flour, cheese, water, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Use a fork or potato masher to coarsely mash everything together.
Note: The mixture should be chunky but hold its shape. If it feels too dry, add a splash of water until it sticks. This is the base for your healthy chickpea fritters.
Step 2 – Shape the Patties
With clean hands, shape the mixture into about 12 small patties. Press them firmly so they don’t fall apart while cooking. Place them on a tray or plate while you heat up the oven, skillet, or air fryer.
Step 3 – Choose Your Cooking Method
Pan-Fry (recommended): Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick skillet. Cook patties for 3 minutes per side, turning carefully until crisp and golden.
Oven-Bake: Place patties on a lined baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown.
Air-Fry: Lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange patties in one layer, brush tops with olive oil, and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
Step 4 – Serve and Enjoy
Arrange the patties on a serving platter. Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon, and tzatziki sauce on the side. These crispy chickpea cakes are delicious as a main course in pita bread, over salad, or as a simple appetizer.
Tips
- Drain the chickpeas well: Too much liquid makes the mix soggy. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel before mashing.
- Don’t over-mash: Keep some texture so the patties hold together and don’t turn into hummus.
- Pack them tightly: When shaping, press firmly with your hands to form sturdy patties that won’t fall apart in the pan.
- Use the right flour: All-purpose binds best, but whole wheat flour adds extra fiber if you want a more wholesome version.
- Cheese matters: Feta brings a salty punch while parmesan gives nutty richness—both add flavor to these Mediterranean chickpea patties.
- Experiment with herbs and spices: Try oregano, cumin, or mint to bring out different Mediterranean flavors and turn them into your own meatless Mediterranean dinner.
- Cooking method makes a difference: Oven-baking is lighter, pan-frying makes them extra crispy, and air-frying is a good balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make sure the chickpeas are well-drained and the mixture is not too wet. Adding enough flour helps bind everything together. Chilling the patties for 15 minutes before cooking also makes them sturdier.
Yes! Shape the patties and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. Once cooked, they last 3 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. This makes them perfect as a weeknight vegetarian dinner option.
They’re delicious in pita bread with yogurt or tzatziki sauce, on top of salads, or as a light summer dinner idea with roasted vegetables on the side.
Absolutely. Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend or chickpea flour for a protein boost.
No, you can mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher. A food processor just speeds things up and gives a smoother texture.
More Easy Mediterranean Dinners
- Smashed broccoli pasta
- Mediterranean chickpea soup
- Spiced lentil soup
- Creamy mushroom orzo
- Mediterranean lentil soup
- Healthy vegetable soup
- Mediterranean chopped salad
- Greek orzo salad
If you tried this Greek Chickpea Patties recipe or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!
Greek Chickpea Patties
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas 15 oz / 400 g each can – or 3 cups / 460 g cooked chickpeas
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic grated
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley sub dill or cilantro – chopped
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup grated parmesan or crumbled feta
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon salt + black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mix the Ingredients: Add 2 cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed), 1 medium onion (chopped), 3 cloves garlic (grated), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ¼ cup grated parmesan, 2 tablespoons water, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl.Mash with a fork or potato masher until chunky but sticky. Add a splash of water if too dry.
- Shape the Patties: Form about 12 small patties with your hands, pressing them firmly so they hold together.
- Pan-Fry (best flavor): Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet and cook 3 minutes per side until golden.Oven-Bake: Place on a lined baking sheet, brush with oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping once.Air-Fry: Brush basket and patties with oil, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and lemon. Enjoy with salad, dipped in tzatziki, tucked in pita, or as a quick appetizer.
Notes
- Chickpeas → Cooked dried chickpeas.
- Onion → Red onion, shallots, or frozen pre-chopped onion.
- Garlic → Garlic powder or roasted garlic for a milder taste.
- Lemon zest → Lime zest or a touch of orange zest for a citrusy spin.
- Paprika → Smoked paprika, cayenne, chili powder, or cumin for different levels of spice.
- Dried oregano → Italian seasoning, thyme, or za’atar for variety.
- Fresh herbs → Parsley, dill, cilantro, mint, or basil to change the flavor profile.
- Flour → Whole wheat flour for fiber or gluten-free flour for a lighter option.
- Cheese → Parmesan, feta, or nutritional yeast.
- Water → Vegetable broth.
- Drain the chickpeas well: Extra liquid makes the mixture soggy. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel before mashing.
- Don’t over-mash: Leave some chunks for texture otherwise, you’ll end up with hummus instead of patties.
- Pack them tightly: Press the mixture firmly with your hands so the patties hold together while cooking.
- Use the right flour: All-purpose binds best, but whole wheat flour adds fiber and gluten-free flour works if needed.
- Cheese choices matter: Feta adds saltiness and parmesan brings a nutty depth.
- Experiment with flavors: Fresh herbs and spices like oregano, mint, or cumin.
Nutrition
Hi! We are Nico & Louise
We’re here to share delicious, easy, and healthy plant-based recipes (vegetarian & vegan) 🌿✨.
Welcome to our blog, we are glad you are here.
I cannot find the measurements for the chickpea patties.
Hi Stacy,
If you click “jump to recipe” at the very beginning of the article, you will be transported to the box with measurements and step pictures 🙂
I hope this helps. Kindest, Louise
So easy and so good.
I dipped in a vegan aoli mayonnaise with a bit of lemon juice.
A vegan tatziki would be great but I haven’t yet found a vegan yogurt.
That’s wonderful Paul, I’m so happy that you liked them 🙂
Looks yummy! In the past my chickpea patties have not been the best, looking forward to trying your recipe!!!!
I’m happy that you feel like trying them, Sherri! Do let me know what you think when you give them a try 🙂
Kindest, Louise
Another version of falafel