Name: Za’atar Fried Chicken and Falafel Waffles
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 15-ounce can chickpeas; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; ½ small onion (diced small); 2 garlic cloves (grated); 2 egg whites; 4 to 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; Pinch cayenne pepper (optional); 3 cups extra virgin olive oil; 3 boneless (skinless chicken breasts, sliced into finger-sized pieces); 3 egg whites; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons Jamie Geller Za'atar; 1 tablespoon sumac; Pinch cayenne pepper; 2 teaspoons kosher salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper; ½ cup tahini (whisked with ¼ cup water); Garnish: za’atar and sesame seeds

Za’atar Fried Chicken and Falafel Waffles

This Chanukah, fry up some Jewish-spiced soul food with crispy fried chicken flavored with the Middle Eastern spice Zaatar and falafel flavored waffles made from chickpeas.

If you don’t have a waffle iron, go ahead and made chicken and pancakes, we won’t tell anyone.

Make sure to use a great quality extra virgin olive oil. We love Colavita!

Za’atar Fried Chicken and Falafel Waffles

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Servings

Ingredients

Waffles

⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 15-ounce can chickpeas
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ small onion diced small
2 garlic cloves grated
2 egg whites
4 to 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch cayenne pepper optional

Za’atar Fried Chicken

3 cups extra virgin olive oil
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into finger-sized pieces
3 egg whites
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons Jamie Geller Za’atar
1 tablespoon sumac
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
½ cup tahini whisked with ¼ cup water
Garnish: za’atar and sesame seeds

Instructions

Waffles

Preheat oven to 200°F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add evoo, chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, baking powder, cumin, coriander, onion, garlic, egg whites, flour, salt, and cayenne to a food processor. Pulse until smooth batter forms.
Heat a waffle iron.
Brush the plates with oil and ladle a small amount of batter into the iron. Be sure to leave a bit of space for the batter to expand.
When waffles are cooked through, transfer them to the parchment-lined baking sheet and keep them warm in a 200°F oven.

Za’atar Fried Chicken

Add evoo to a heavy gauge frying pan, fitted with a deep fry thermometer, over medium-high heat. Line a plate with several layers of paper towels.
In a shallow bowl or plate, combine flour with za’atar, sumac, cayenne, salt, and pepper and stir together.
Toss chicken pieces into egg whites, then dredge chicken in flour mixture.
Once oil reaches 350°F on the deep fry thermometer, place a few pieces of chicken at a time in oil and cook for 5 minutes, until all sides are crispy and medium golden-brown.
Drain cooked chicken on a paper towel lined plate. Transfer to the baking sheet of waffles in the oven to stay warm until all chicken has been fried.

Assembly

Place waffles on a platter and top each waffle with a piece of chicken. Generously drizzle tahini over chicken and sprinkle with za’atar.

Za’atar Fried Chicken and Falafel Waffles