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    Home » Recipes » Vegan

    Baked Falafel & How to Make them Into Burgers

    Published: Jan 20, 2021 Modified: Jan 20, 2021 by Candice This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Dish filled with falafel.
    Plate filled with falafel.
    Plate filled with falafel.
    Dish filled with falafel.
    Falafel on a burger.

    A family favorite, this baked falafel recipe is one that I learned to make from my grandma. I've given it a healthy twist by opting for the oven to bake the falafel instead of frying the falafel in a deep fryer. I even have a trick for getting the outside crispy!

    Dish filled with falafel.
    TABLE OF CONTENTS hide
    1 Why this Recipe Works
    2 Ingredients & Substitutions
    3 How to Make this Recipe
    4 Baked Falafel FAQs
    5 More Middle-Eastern Spiced Recipes
    6 Baked Falafel

    Why this Recipe Works

    The falafel are sprayed with avocado oil, getting the outside a bit crispy. Although the crispiness will never match a deep-fryer, these baked falafel come pretty darn close!

    The chickpeas already provide a creamy, nutty, mild flavor base so I like to go in and add elements of spice and citrus. I add fresh parsley and cilantro, which are complemented by the citrus from the lemon juice. For some heat I add jalapenos and cumin, and deepen the savory flavor with garlic and shallots.

    All in all, the complete flavor blend for this falafel mix recipe is fantastically balanced and delicious. This easy, healthy recipe will make for a delicious weeknight dinner, with or without the burger presentation.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Ingredients for falafel.

    chickpeas - this recipe uses canned chickpeas, which doesn't work in deep-fried falafel recipes. It works in this recipe because you are not at risk of the falafel falling apart in the deep fryer.

    How to Make this Recipe

    Preheat the oven to 425F. Add all your falafel ingredients to a food processor. Process until clumps together. I like to keep it a little chunky. Then, roll into 16 balls the size of ping pong balls.

    Lightly brush the bottom and top of each ball with oil and place on a non-stick baking tray. I like to use a cooking spray to evenly spread the oil. This is what will help it get the crispy outer layer.

    Falafel on a baking sheet.

    Bake 20 minutes. Use tongs to flip each falafel. Bake another 10 minutes.

    Assemble your burgers by placing the lettuce on the bottom bun, top with sliced tomatoes, top with 4 falafel balls each, drizzle with tahini, and cover with the top of your bun.

    Falafel on a burger.

    Baked Falafel FAQs

    Is it healthy?

    Falafel has many nutritious ingredients and made with whole, healthy ingredients. If baked, it doesn't have as much fat and calories from the deep-frying in oil.

    What do you serve with it?

    You can present the falafel on a salad plate with fresh cut vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers, with a side of tahini, served in pita with tahini, or as a burger.

    Plate filled with falafel.

    More Middle-Eastern Spiced Recipes

    I love using spices I grew up with to spruce up some of my favorite recipes. Here are some I think you'll love:

    • Roasted peppers stuffed with rice.
      Dolmeh Felfel | Persian Stuffed Peppers
    • Green hummus on a plate with limes and cilantro.
      Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus
    • Burger on a tray with fries.
      Spicy Black Bean Burgers

    I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m up to.

    Dish filled with falafel.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Baked Falafel

    A family favorite, this baked falafel recipe is one that I learned to make from my grandma. I've given it a healthy twist by opting for the oven to bake the falafel instead of frying the falafel in a deep fryer. I even have a trick for getting the outside crispy!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time35 minutes mins
    Course: Main, Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Diet: Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 291kcal
    Author: Candice

    Equipment

    • Non-Stick Pan

    Ingredients

    Falafel:

    • 1 15-oz. can of chickpeas drained, rinsed, and dried on paper towels
    • 1 large shallot roughly chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic peeled and cut in half
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • 1 tablespoon corriander
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 jalapeño seeded and roughly chopped
    • ⅓ cup fresh cilantro
    • ⅓ cup fresh parsley
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • Cooking spray or flavorless oil

    Burgers:

    • 4 brioche burger buns
    • 4 pieces of romaine lettuce
    • 2 vine tomatoes sliced
    • 6 tablespoon tahini

    Instructions

    • Preheat to 425F.
    • Add all your ingredients to a food processor. Process until clumps together. I like to keep it chunky.
    • Roll into balls the size of ping pong balls. Should make 16 balls (4 per person).
    • Lightly brush the bottom and top of each ball with flavorless oil or spray with cooking spray and place on a baking tray*.
    • Bake 20 minutes.
    • Use tongs to flip each falafel. Bake another 10 minutes.
    • Assemble your burgers by placing the lettuce on the bottom bun, top with sliced tomatoes, top with 4 falafel balls each, drizzle with tahini, and cover with the top of your bun.

    Notes

    You can make your own tahini by blending toasted sesame seeds with olive oil. Keeps well in a sealed container in the fridge.
    I like to use a cooking spray to evenly spread the oil. This is what will help it get the crispy outer layer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3535IU | Vitamin C: 25.2mg | Calcium: 156mg | Iron: 4.6mg
    Did you try this recipe?Don't forget to leave a rating and/or comment! And tag @ProportionalPlate on TikTok or Instagram... I'd love to see what you're making.

    This post was originally published in February of 2018 but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, FAQs, and tips in January of 2021.

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    Meet Candice

    On this blog, I get to share the food that I love, and get to enjoy in my own home. My Persian Jewish heritage influences most of my recipes, and my travels inspire them. And I'm sure you'll notice my love for everything matcha. Welcome, and enjoy!

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