Baked Falafels are simple, well-spiced, and perfectly crisp on the outside while remaining soft on in the inside. These baked rounds are healthier than the deep fried version without compromising any flavor!
I got into falafel several months ago. Even though I'm not vegan, I enjoy eating more plant-based, especially when I eat out. I love ordering falafels at my local Halal Guys or Little Greek restaurants but wanted to try making them at home.
When I started looking in my cookbooks and asking around for recipes, most falafels were deep fried. I wanted a healthier alternative and love easy baked recipes. I don't know what I would do without my food processor or oven, seriously! If we ever move abroad (probably won't happen but we watch a lot of House Hunters International, so I can dream) I would definitely be that person who freaks out when flats don't have full-size ovens haha.
What I most about this recipe is that it's easy and accessible. Typically, I prefer using fresh herbs but we're in between AeroGarden cycles, so I've been cooking with dried herbs lately. To make baked falafel, mix ingredients together, form into small patties, let firm up, bake, then enjoy in a pita bread wrap, salad, or as an appetizer with hummus and tahini! I love serving falafel over seasoned rice with spinach hummus, red onion, and kalamata olives.
Baked Falafel
Ingredients
- 2 14.5 ounce cans chickpeas drained and rinsed
- ¼ red onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves chopped
- 3 tablespoons dried cilantro
- 2 ½ tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Mix chickpeas, red onion, garlic, cilantro, and parsley in a food processor.
- Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and stir in remaining ingredients.
- Form the mixture into falafel patties. Place the patties on a plate then let firm up in the refrigerator for one hour.
- Preheat oven to 400F. Transfer patties to a sprayed baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes then flip and bake for another 15 minutes. The result should be a firm, browned falafel. Enjoy in a pita bread wrap, salad, or as an appetizer with hummus and tahini!
Fawn Rosenbohm says
I have never had baked falafel this looks really good perfect for a Saturday morning. I'll have to try it this weekend with the family.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thank you 🙂 Y'all enjoy!!
Leah says
I love the healthy spin you put on these! I make falafels a lot during the summer to use up the curly parsley in my garden!! Can't wait to try this recipe! pinned for later Thank you!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much! Yes, absolutely 🙂
alisamarie says
I've been seeing a lot of falafel lately but your recipe hit me as a winner. Love that you use canned chickpeas, and I think I need to make ahead some of these for lunches.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate that. They're great for lunch bowls, salads, and wraps 🙂
Kaila (The Wanderlust Celiac) says
I've never had a falafel before, but this recipe sounds delicious. I love your healthy spin on a treat that is typically deep fried while maintaining the diverse flavor profiles in the dish. Yum!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks so much, I really appreciate it! I hope you try falafel soon 🙂
Cristina - Memories of the Pacific says
I've never had falafel but it looks delicious!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Thanks, I hope you try them out!
Kate Andrews says
I love falafels but I do think that frying them turns them into an unhealthy treat. This sounds like a much better option!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Totally, thank you!
Lindsey Willson (@LindseyLeeandCo) says
I love falafel. I like the idea of baking it. The combination with the spinach hummus looks delicious.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Absolutely, I hope you try this out 🙂
maddi says
These look awesome! Can't wait to try them!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yay, let me know what you think!
Elena Reinisch says
I make falafel all the time! Can't wait to try this recipe 🙂
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Great, I hope you enjoy them!
Amanda says
I can't wait to try these. And I'd love to learn more about the AeroGarden. It would be wonderful to make these with home grown herbs.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Yayyy 🙂 Oh yes, I love our AeroGarden. I should do an overview post about it lol. There are a few posts from when we first got it but now that we've had it for a couple years, I should share our experience with it!
Jenni says
These look so tasty! I really appreciate that there's no grain in this falafel recipe and that they are baked. It makes them so much easier to make!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
For sure, pan-frying is great but baked makes it effortless 🙂 I hope you try these out!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups says
I love falafel! Thanks for the new recipe to try.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
You're welcome 🙂 I hope you enjoy em!!
Marta Rivera Diaz says
Great minds think alike! I just posted an Egyptian-style falafel. They are so versatile and delicious.
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Ohh, I'll need to check out your recipe! I love all falafel
spiceitupp says
I eat baked falafel at a friend’s and loved how soft and juicy they were. Thanks for the recipe
Jenna | The Urben Life says
You're welcome 🙂 I hope you try it soon!
Starr @ The Misfit Baker says
Frying can be so messy, so I'm loving the idea of these baked falafels!
Jenna | The Urben Life says
Totally, thank you 🙂