Low Calorie Vegan Falafel Recipe

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EASY FALAFEL RECIPE

Are you ready to dive into the delicious world of Middle Eastern cuisine? Then you are in the right place, this easy Falafel Recipe will soon be your favorite. If you’re unfamiliar with this Middle Eastern street food, you’re in luck!

This vegan relatively easy falafel recipe is a great introduction to this flavorful fried chickpea dish. Moreover it is lower in calories than your regular meat filled lunch.

The typical way is to serve it in a pita wrap with pickled veggies and tahini sauce or with French fries. However, you can enjoy falafel atop a salad with some Greek olives and a cucumber tahini sauce or dressing.

One of our recipe testers spent quite a bit of time in the Middle East and gave this Easy Falafel Recipe high scores. The kids loved it, so we know you will love it too!

Additionally a community member made this and baked it for an even healthier version. Pair with your homemade hummus and enjoy this yummy easy falafel recipe!

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Falafel

Adapted from A Reluctant Foodie

3.80 from 10 votes

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Course Dinner, Middle Eastern, Street food

Ingredients

  

• 1 3/4 cups of dried chickpeas*
• 3 garlic cloves lightly crushed
• 1 small onion quartered
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne or to taste
• 1 cup chopped parsley or cilantro
• 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Grapeseed oil for frying

Instructions

 

• Put the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with water by 4 inches. Soak overnight. Expect the beans to triple in volume. Drain beans and reserve the soaking water. (Do not worry about this if you are using canned chickpeas.)
• Add the remaining ingredients except the oil to your blender jar.
• For Blendtec: Pulse until minced but not pureed.
• For Vitamix: Set to Variable 10 and then turn off and on until minced but not pureed.
• Add small amounts (no more than a tablespoon at a time) of the soaking water (or water) if needed to allow your blender to work. Adding too much water will make blending easier but will insure that your falafel falls apart during cooking. Taste. Then add more salt, pepper, cayenne or lemon juice to taste.
• Add oil to a deep sauce pan. Set heat to medium high and heat to 350 F (if you have thermometer, use it).
• Scoop heaping tablespoons of the batter and shape into balls or small patties. Fry in batches, without crowding, until golden brown, turning as needed. Total cooking time will be less than 5 minutes.
• Serve into pita pockets with hummus and veggies or with french fries!
• All done! Enjoy!! Now take a photo, rate it, and share your accomplishments to enter our weekly photo contest! 🙂 Tag @BlenderBabes & #BlenderBabes

Notes

*If you cannot find dried chickpeas (or don't want to wait overnight), you could also use ~5 cups of canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed = 3 cans.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

CHICKPEA HEALTH BENEFITS & FUN FACTS

Falafel is primarily made from chickpeas. It has high protein with complex carbohydrates and fiber that will keep you going throughout the day and lower blood cholesterol.

Chickpeas themselves are also low in fat and salt and contain no cholesterol.  They’re also nutrient-packed, containing calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, vitamin C, thiamine, pantothenic acid, vitamin B, and folate.

Vegan Falafel FAQs

1. Can I use canned chickpeas instead of dried chickpeas?

Of course! If you’re short on time or don’t have dried chickpeas on hand, canned chickpeas are a convenient alternative. Simply drain and rinse them before using in the easy falafel recipe. Keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different, but the flavor will still be delicious.

2. How long does it take to fry the falafel?

Frying the falafel takes less than 5 minutes per batch. Heat the oil to 350°F and fry the falafel until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan to ensure even cooking.

3. Can I bake the falafel instead of frying them?

Absolutely! For a healthier alternative, you can bake the falafel in the oven. Simply place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remember to flip them halfway through baking for even browning.

4. How should I serve the falafel?

Falafel is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways. Enjoy them stuffed inside a pita pocket with hummus, tahini sauce, and fresh vegetables for a classic falafel sandwich. You can also serve them atop salads, rice bowls, or as appetizers with dipping sauces. Get creative and experiment with different serving options!

5. Can I freeze the falafel for later use?

Yes, you can freeze the falafel for future meals. Once fried or baked, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply reheat them in the oven or microwave until heated through.