Easy Oven Baked Falafel - Sharon Palmer, The Plant Powered Dietitian

Ahh, yummy, crispy falafel — a top food choice for just about everyone, especially those aiming for a plant-based diet. What is falafel? Dating back to cultural food traditions in Egypt 1000 years ago, this classic dish traveled to the Middle East where it became a mainstay. Based upon earthy, nutritious chickpeas, spices, and herbs, falafels are a hearty, protein-rich recipe that can be the star of your plate. Traditionally falafels—small balls of chickpea batter—are fried in pots of oil. However, in this quick and easy oven-baked falafel recipe I’ve skipped the oil. Just mix up a batch based on canned chickpeas, herbs, spices, flour, sesame seeds, and a quick brush of olive oil (which you can omit if you prefer) to pop in the oven to make this fabulous recipe lickety split! You can make this easy oven baked falafel recipe in about 10 minutes in a food processor, and it takes about 25-30 minutes to bake up. Serve them with a great falafel sauce, such as Tahini sauce, flavorful hummus, or ranch dressing for fun. This falafel recipe is also delicious served with pita bread in a falafel sandwich. Watch me make this recipe on Instagram here. Enjoy!

Nutrition Notes

Is falafel healthy? The answer is a unanimous yes! This traditional plant-based fare is rich in plant proteins, fiber, iron, and magnesium. This specific oven baked falafel recipe is low in added fats and sodium, too. Is falafel vegan? Typically falafel is vegan, and this recipe is completely plant-based (vegan). Is falafel gluten free? This falafel recipe can easily be made gluten-free with one swap, too.

Step-by-step guide:

Gather ingredients: Spices, sesame seeds, onion, lemon, garlic, and chickpeas. Add to food processor and process until smooth. May need to scrape down sides to process as needed. Mix with flour to make a dough that is not too sticky. Chill for at least an hour. Form into small bowls and flatten slightly. Brush with olive oil (if desired) and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown and cooked through. Should have a slight moist texture. Enjoy!

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Description

Make your own falafel from scratch with this super Easy Oven Baked Falafel recipe, which can be baked up in 30 minutes and served in a falafel sandwich or falafel salad bowl.

In the container of a food processor, place rinsed, drained chickpeas, parsley, garlic, onion, ¼ cup sesame seeds, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, salt (optional), and 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional). Process until smooth. May need to pause to scrape down sides and repeat process. Should make a very thick mixture that is well chopped, but not liquified.
Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and stir in flour to make a thick mixture. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour (or overnight).
Preheat oven to 375 F. Scoop up mixture and roll into small balls with your hands (dip hands in flour to avoid sticking) about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Flatten them slightly into a disc shape, about ¾ inches thick. Place on a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
Brush the tops of each falafel with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional). Sprinkle the tops with remaining 1 tablespoon sesame seeds.
Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until golden brown.
Makes 24 falafels. (Suggested serving size, 3 falafels per serving)
May serve with tahini sauce, yogurt sauce, or hummus as an appetizer, entrée, or sandwich filling.

Notes

Make this recipe gluten-free by substituting gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour .

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dinner
Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 185
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 137 mg
Fat: 8 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 23 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 7 g

Keywords: vegan falafels, falafels, easy falafels

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For more plant-based recipes featuring chickpeas, check out the following recipes:

Instant Pot Chickpea Curry
Vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
Creamy Chickpea Curry
Chickpea Tabbouleh
Moroccan Chickpea Sorghum Bowl
Moroccan Chickpea Freekeh Eggplant Skillet
Easy Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos

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