9 Falafel Recipes That Will Get You Hooked on Mediterranean Meals (2024)

Have we mentioned that we love debunking the myth that store-bought is superior to homemade? You guessed it: When it comes to a falafel recipe, homemade is much tastier, healthier, and way more fun. Not to mention, you can make them gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo.

So roll up your cooking sleeves, because things are about to get interesting. These nine falafel recipes aren’t for the faint of heart, but they are going to blow your mind and get you hooked on homemade.

1. Magical Green Falafel

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Mint and dill may not be traditional falafel flavors, but they are what make this recipe so magical. Another contributing factor: They’re fried, not baked. Sure, baking is the healthier option, and these can certainly be cooked that way, but frying is what guarantees the crispy outside and moist inside, a.k.a. the perfect falafel. Serve on a bed of greens with a slice of lime and side of hummus.

2. Raw Carrot Falafel

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Orange you glad falafel comes in all sorts of flavors and colors? Green is classic but we love the likes of this carrot-filled orange and red falafel. We also love that this recipe uses chickpea flour instead of chickpeas, making them easier on the stomach for those who have trouble digesting legumes. Coat the falafel with sesame seeds for a nice added crunch and serve with a drizzle of tahini.

3. Turmeric Baked Falafel

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If you’ve never made falafel before, this recipe is the perfect place to start. The chickpea- and herb-based mixture can be easily adjusted and tweaked as needed. Too dry? Add a more olive oil. Too moist? Add extra binder, like oat flour. The only non-negotiable: using high-quality olive oil. The flavor really shines through in this recipe, so stick to the good stuff.

4. Spicy Cauliflower Falafel With Beetroot Dip

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Move over, chickpeas, this falafel recipe uses butter beans and cauliflower to create a light, fluffy twist on the classic. The wholemeal spelt flour also provides a rustic flavor that pairs seamlessly with the beetroot dip (don’t skip the dip; it’s super easy to make!), but the recipe can also easily be made gluten-free by substituting buckwheat flour. Pro tip: Make extra. Whether serving as an appetizer or making for lunch or dinner, they go fast.

5. Vegan Lentil Pumpkin Falafel

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Falafel, whether store-bought or homemade, runs the risk of being dry—especially when it comes to leftovers. This recipe gets rid of any risk for dryness by using pumpkin purée and red lentils as the base. The texture is hardly the best thing about the recipe though (believe it or not). With decadent spices like coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, fresh cilantro, and parsley, this falafel recipe is all about flavor. We could eat them straight, but they taste extra amazing with, you guessed it, tahini or hummus.

6. Simple 5-Ingredient Baked Falafel

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Something we wish more falafel recipes were: simple. Many recipes involve several steps and ingredients, and while the end result is awesome, sometimes there simply just isn’t enough time. This recipe sticks to five ingredients (err, it’s actually nine, but most are already in your kitchen) and is ready to eat in 30 minutes flat. Simply toss the ingredients in a food processor, whirl away, stir in the flour, bake for 18 minutes, and enjoy on a salad, in a pita, or on their own.

7. Mexican Vegan Falafel Bites

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Can’t choose between Mexican and Mediterranean? Why not choose both? These Mexican-inspired falafel are made with chickpeas, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, jalapeño, garlic, and a slew of delicious spices. Give them a light fry in avocado oil and serve with guacamole, salsa, hummus, or our personal favorite, avocado hummus.

8. Sweet Potato Falafel

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Using only eight ingredients, this falafel recipe requires a mere mixing of ingredients and baking for 25 minutes. If you want to step things up the tiniest bit, coat in sesame seeds or panko bread crumbs for that irresistible crunch—the latter provides a more traditional texture.

9. Truly Authentic Falafel

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Falafel can be spiced up with various veggies, proteins, flours, and actual spices, but few concoctions beat the original. This recipe sticks to the classics—chickpeas, cumin, coriander, garlic, onion, cilantro, parsley—and even uses a traditional (yet not so conventional) method of mixing the ingredients: a meat grinder. It requires dedication and frying, but the end result is the most perfect falafel you could dream of. How can we resist that?

9 Falafel Recipes That Will Get You Hooked on Mediterranean Meals (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat falafel on Mediterranean diet? ›

Falafel is a popular Mediterranean dish that is served up in countries such as Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. This is a great recipe and a wonderful option for a Vegan meal.

What are the 2 types of falafel? ›

There are three types of falafel--Traditional falafel, baked falafel and lemon falafel. “Where the traditional falafel is the basic fried falafel comprising a mix of chickpeas, onions, garlic, herbs and spices, baked falafels are made using fresh herbs in the chickpea mixture,” says Chef Sati from Ophelia.

What is a good binder for falafel? ›

A binding ingredient can help keep it together, especially if you are using canned beans instead of dried. And the perfect binding ingredient for falafel is flour. Nothing fancy, just plain all-purpose flour. Add a few tablespoons at a time to your mixture, until you can press it easily into balls or patties.

What is Mediterranean falafel made of? ›

In case you're not familiar with this traditional Middle Eastern dish, falafel are fried balls of ground chickpeas or fava beans seasoned with herbs like parsley and cilantro and spices like coriander and cumin.

Is it OK to eat falafel everyday? ›

If it is fried, its fat and calories increase and the food is no longer so healthy. How often can I eat falafel? It can be eaten daily but in moderation, if not in some people it may cause bloating an abdominal discomfort.

Why is butter not allowed on Mediterranean diet? ›

The diet limits the intake of red meat, high-fat dairy products, and foods that are high in saturated fat, such as butter and cream. Avoiding processed foods can improve your overall health. It will also reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Why not use canned chickpeas for falafel? ›

Canned chickpeas do not work for falafel. They're far too wet. If you try to use canned chickpeas instead of dried and soaked chickpeas, you'll end up with sad falafel pancakes. Some recipes try to counteract the wetness by adding flour, which significantly dulls the flavor and makes the texture more doughy.

What goes well with falafel? ›

What to have with falafel
  • Serve with hummus and tahini. Hummus is a classic falafel pairing that is traditional across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Egypt and Israel. ...
  • Tuck into falafel and pitta bread. ...
  • Dip your falafel into some Toum.
May 27, 2024

Why does my falafel fall apart when I fry it? ›

If the mixture is too wet, the falafel has a tendency to fall apart when being fried so please pat dry the ingredients before using them. If you find the mixture is too wet, simply add little more breadcrumbs. The falafel mixture after prepared can be shaped by hand or with a tool called an alb falafel (falafel mold).

What is the best oil for frying falafel? ›

Greek Garden Organic olive oil is smooth and well-balanced with a light finish to enhance the flavors of dishes such as hummus, Tzatziki and falafel. Using olive oil is a healthier option for frying, as it creates a thick crust that stops the oil from being absorbed into the food.

Is falafel the same as gyro? ›

Falafels and gyros are two very different types of food. Falafels are typically made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, while gyros are made from meat cooked on a spit. Falafels are usually served as a vegetarian option, while gyros are typically made with lamb or beef.

Why is falafel green inside? ›

Why are chickpea falafels green? Falafel lovers will tell you that authentic falafels should be crispy (deep-fried) and green on the inside. That green color comes from fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley. These green falafels are green through and through and also include those fragrant fresh herbs.

Are falafels middle eastern or Mediterranean? ›

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern “fast food” made of a mixture of chickpeas (or fava beans), fresh herbs, and spices that are formed into a small patties or balls. It's thought that falafel originated in Egypt as Coptic Christians looked for a hearty replacement for meat during long seasons of fasting or lent.

Can you eat chickpeas on Mediterranean diet? ›

Nuts, seeds, and legumes common to the traditional Mediterranean Diet include: almonds, cannellini beans, chickpeas, cashews, fava beans, green beans, hazelnuts, kidney beans, lentils, pine nuts, pistachios, sesame seeds, split peas, tahini sauce, walnuts.

Can I eat hummus on a Mediterranean diet? ›

On the Mediterranean Diet

Rich in olive oil and healthy fats, hummus is a staple of the Mediterranean Diet. The olive oil in the spread scores low on the glycemic index and is low in saturated fat. Like many other Mediterranean Diet staples, hummus helps to prevent various diseases and health conditions.

What spread can I use on Mediterranean diet? ›

Yogurt & Cheese-based

Labneh, or yogurt-cheese, is a tangy, thick and creamy spread consumed widely in the Eastern part of the Mediterranean. Labneh can be jazzed up with a splash of extra virgin olive oil and any number of herbs and spices, such as za'atar or sumac.

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