Falafels are one of the most popular Mediterranean-style sandwiches. They’re made of ground chickpeas, tahini, garlic, onion powder, and flour, and are deep-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Most falafel recipes are deep-fried, but this one is baked! It’s a healthier, more convenient way to enjoy your favorite falafel dish without all the calories.
Follow these simple steps to make falafel baked instead of fried:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a food processor, blend chickpeas until they are ground into a coarse mixture. Be careful not to overprocess or the falafel will be wet and will not bake properly!
- Grease the baking sheet with oil or vegan butter substitute and spoon the falafel mixture on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown and crispy on the outside – watch carefully so they don’t burn! Serve warm with tahini sauce (or any other dipping sauce), vegan cheese slices, fresh cilantro leaves, and/or pita bread. Enjoy!
What is Falafel
Are you looking for a healthy and delicious alternative to falafel that is also easy to make? Look no further than baked falafel! This dish is made from ground chickpeas and is super easy to make—just mix everything together and pop it in the oven. You can serve it as a standalone appetizer or side dish with any meal.
For an extra yum factor, replace the deep-fried falafel balls with baked falafel. It’s just as delicious and will wow your guests! Tahini sauce, chopped onions, and lemon juice can be added for an edgy look that will impress them even more. So why not give baked falafel a try? You won’t regret it!
How is Falafel Made
Falafel is a classic Middle Eastern food that is made from ground chickpeas and breadcrumbs. It is usually deep-fried, but this recipe shows you how to make falafel baked instead—it’s healthier, less greasy, and much tastier!
Why is baked falafel not fried?
Baked falafel is healthier because oil or butter is not used to deep-fry them. Baked falafel is also convenient because they don’t require any frying before baking, so there’s less mess and cleanup time!
How to Make Falafel Baked Instead of Fried
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern food that can be made in many different ways, but this baked version is the healthiest and easiest option. It’s high in protein and plant-based nutrients, so it’s perfect for vegans or vegetarians.
The falafel patties are also gluten-free, so they’re great for people with gluten sensitivities. They require minimal preparation time – just mix all of the ingredients together and bake them until golden brown! So why not give this healthy and delicious dish a try?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- pinches of cumin and coriander, to taste
- pinches of salt and pepper, to taste
Ingredients for the falafel sauce:
1 cup cooked chickpeas ( canned or prepped canned chickpeas are okay) juice of 2 lemons wedges finely chopped parsley or cilantro optional (see recipe notes for more information)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the chickpea flour, baking soda, baking powder, cumin and coriander, salt and pepper until well combined. Form the mixture into balls the size of golf balls (~1 ½ tablespoons each). Place on a prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon. Make sure they’re evenly spaced out on the pan.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly firm to the touch. falafel patties are ready when they sound hollow when tapped between your fingers.
- To make the falafel sauce, mix chickpeas with lemon juice, parsley or cilantro, salt, and pepper until desired consistency is achieved (see recipe notes for more information). Serve warm alongside falafel patties in a lettuce wrap or on top of some yummy tahini sauce! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes:
- falafel patties can be served vegan or gluten-free by omitting the parsley/cilantro.
- To make vegan falafel patties, omit the chickpea flour and replace it with 2 cups of bread crumbs.
- To make gluten-free falafel patties, omit the chickpea flour and replace it with 2 cups of ground rice or quinoa.
- falafel patties can also be oiled/buttered if desired. If you do this, make sure to add extra olive oil or vegan butter to the baking sheet before baking so that they don’t stick! – falafel patties can also be baked in a 350°F oven for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly firm to the touch.
Conclusion
Falafel is delicious chickpea patties that can be made in a variety of ways, but baking them is the best option for healthy eating. By baking falafel instead of frying them, you not only reduce the calories and fat, but you also retain all the spices and flavors that make falafel so delicious. If you’re looking for a healthy, vegan-friendly food option that everyone will love, try baking falafel instead of frying it!
