Baked Falafel Recipe

By Anna AlleeAug 26, 2024Jump to Recipe

A burst of fresh herbs and spices, all in a tiny, flavor-filled ball.

Table of Contents

If you’ve cooked with chickpeas before, you know how gloriously versatile they are. Soups, stews, salads, sandwiches, dips, patties, pasta, and tacos—you name it, chickpeas can go in it. Perhaps one of the most beloved ways to incorporate chickpeas in a recipe is in falafel. Falafel is traditionally a deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter, usually made with broad beans, chickpeas, or both. Today, I’d like to dive into a healthier alternative to a fried falafel: a baked falafel. Baked falafel is comprised of chickpeas, onion, garlic, and a bunch of aromatic fresh and ground spices.

Baked falafel is praised for being crispy on the outside while soft on the inside. Praised by whom, you may be wondering? Well—me. I’m not a famous food critic, but trust me! This recipe beautifully seasons the chickpeas, creating a flavorful and satisfying taste with every bite. They’re easy to grab with your hands and dunk in your sauce of choice, making them fun for kids and adults. Baked falafel may seem simple, but you’ll be taken aback by the punch of flavor these little balls deliver

Is Baked Falafel Healthy?

Some recipes are nutritionally dense, and others are simply delicious comfort foods. It can be rare for a dish to be both, yet falafel is an exception. Mouth-watering, vibrant, AND good for you, baked falafel is a great choice to enjoy on your health journey. Plus, they are naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan, establishing their place as a top meal for various dietary preferences. Seriously, if you haven’t tried baked falafel yet, add it to next week’s meal plan. You will be feeling your best and your stomach fully satisfied after a plate of baked falafel.

can i use canned chickpeas instead of dried chickpeas?

To my surprise, dried chickpeas are essential to a good falafel. As canned chickpeas have already been cooked, their starch molecules will have already burst and released their sticky contents. As they have just been sitting in liquid in a can, these sticky contents have already been washed away, and thus, your chickpeas will have very little clinging power. For a falafel to be successful, it must be able to stick to itself. Therefore, if you use dried chickpeas, you will potentially have ground falafel instead of perfect falafel balls.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil for brushing

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Soak chickpeas, preheat oven, and prepare baking sheet.

Process

Combine ingredients in food processor and shape into patties.

Bake

Brush with oil and bake until golden and crispy.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Baked falafel will keep well in your fridge for 4-5 days if you store it in an airtight container. When freezing, baked falafel in a freezer-safe, airtight container lasts one month. I highly recommend doubling your batch of baked falafel and freezing a portion, as these little balls reheat like a dream. You can easily place them in an oven at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes or until they’re crisp and heated through.

prep your baking sheet

To prevent your delicious baked falafel from sticking, you should either oil your baking sheet (butter or olive oil would be great) or line it with parchment paper before plopping your falafel on top.

drain and dry your chickpeas

To ensure the consistency of your batter, pat dry your chickpeas after draining them. Wet chickpeas will throw off your batter and affect the texture of your baked falafel.

Serving Suggestions

When it’s time to enjoy your baked falafel, you have an abundance of serving options. You can serve it in a nutrient-dense bowl with couscous, brown rice, cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta. Don’t forget to top with tahini, tzatziki, hummus, and/or baba ghanoush! Instead of a bowl, you could also throw the same ingredients inside a tortilla or pita. Or, if a smaller meal is more your style, simply dipping your baked falafel in any (or all!) of the above sauces would be light yet delicious.

Recipe