Some foods tends to be eaten late at night. By people that may or may not have consumed alcohol. We’re talking burgers, sausages, kebabs and falafels. These foods taste great at 2:30 am on a Saturday when you’re 22 years old and completely irresponsible. Do they also taste great at 19:30 on a regular day at home when you’re 39 years old and only slightly more responsible?

The answer is yes.

The good news is, you can make this food at home. And you don’t necessarily have to break out the deep frying pan.

Here’s a falafel recipe that’s baked in the oven. Why not give it a go?

Preheat the oven to 225°C. Stick 1/2 liter of chickpeas in a food processor.

Pulse until they are just broken up. Add 3 cloves garlic and 1 small chopped onion. Also add a handful of fresh chopped parsley and the juice and zest of 2 small lemons.

Move on by adding 1 tsp of baking powder, 2 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 1 tsp black pepper and 1 tsp salt.

Mix everything together until just combined, then get the chickpea mix out of the processor and into a bowl.

Use clean hands to mix in whole wheat flour until the mixture sticks together without feeling dry (up to 1 dl of flour). Roll into balls and flatten slightly as you set them out onto a baking sheet.

Drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top. Bake for 20 minutes then flip and bake another 15 minutes until they are browned on both sides and crispy on the outside.

Be responsible and serve with a salad and a nice tomato salsa…

…or go rogue and chow down on them stuck in a pitta bread with slices of tomato and lashes of creamy lemon garlic dressing like the falafel king in your favourite student late night food joint used to make them!

In any case, make sure you enjoy!