Easy Vegan Falafel (Freezer-Friendly!)

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 10

Total Time 2 10

Servings (falafel)

Course Entrée

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Mediterranean-Inspired, Middle Eastern-Inspired, Vegan

Freezer Friendly 1 month

Does it keep? 4-5 Days

Ingredients

FALAFEL

1 15-ounce can chickpeas (rinsed, drained and patted dry)
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley (or sub cilantro)
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium shallots (minced // 2 shallots yield ~ 3/4 cup or 65 g // or sub white onion)
2 Tbsp raw sesame seeds (or sub finely chopped nuts, such as pecans)
1 1/2 tsp cumin (plus more to taste)
1/4 tsp each sea salt and black pepper (plus more to taste)
1 healthy pinch each cardamom and coriander (optional)
3-4 Tbsp all-purpose flour (or sub oat flour or gluten-free blend with varied results)
3-4 Tbsp avocado oil for cooking (or sub any neutral oil with a high smoke point)
Panko bread crumbs for coating (optional // see instructions // gluten-free as needed)

FOR SERVING

Garlic Dill Sauce (for serving // found within the Mediterranean Baked Sweet Potato Recipe)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add chickpeas, parsley, shallot, garlic, sesame seeds, cumin, salt, pepper (and coriander and cardamom if using) to a food processor or blender and mix/pulse to combine, scraping down sides as needed until thoroughly combined. You’re looking for a crumbly dough, not a paste (see photo).
Add flour 1 Tbsp (~8 g) at a time and pulse/mix to combine until no longer wet and you can mold the dough into a ball without it sticking to your hands - I used 4 Tbsp (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. I added a bit more salt, pepper, and a dash of cardamom and coriander. You want the flavor to be pretty bold, so don’t be shy.
Transfer to a mixing bowl, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up. If you’re in a hurry you can chill in the freezer for 45 minutes or skip this step - but they will be a little more fragile when cooking.
Once chilled, scoop out rounded Tablespoon amounts (~30 g in weight // I used this scoop) and gently form into 11-12 small discs (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
OPTIONAL: Sprinkle on panko bread crumbs and gently press to adhere - flip and repeat. This will produce a crispier falafel, but it's optional.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add enough oil to generously coat the pan - about 2 Tbsp (30 ml). Swirl to coat.
NOTE: If not cooking all of the falafel right away, FREEZE uncooked falafel between layers of parchment paper and store in a container in the freezer up to 1 month. Then just thaw and cook as instructed!
Once the oil is hot, add only as many falafel as will fit very comfortably in the pan at a time - about 5-7.
Cook for a total of 4-5 minutes, flipping when the underside is deep golden brown. Repeat until all falafel are browned - the deeper golden brown they are, the crispier they'll be. They will also firm up more once slightly cooled.
OPTIONAL: For even crispier falafel, bake in a 400 degree F (204 C) oven for 5-10 minutes after pan frying (either on a baking sheet or your skillet if it's oven-safe)!
Serve warm with garlic-dill sauce or hummus, inside a pita or naan, and with desired toppings or atop a bed of greens.
Best when fresh, though leftovers will keep in the refrigerator covered for 4-5 days. Freeze after that to keep fresh for up to 1 month. From thawed, reheat in a 350 degree F (176 C) oven for 15 minutes or until hot.

Video

Notes

*Recipe loosely adapted from Tori Avey.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without sauce or optional ingredients.

Nutrition (1 of 12 servings)

Serving: 1 falafel Calories: 91 Carbohydrates: 8.1 g Protein: 2.2 g Fat: 5.8 g Saturated Fat: 0.5 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.04 g Monounsaturated Fat: 2.9 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 87 mg Potassium: 77 mg Fiber: 1.6 g Sugar: 1.5 g Vitamin A: 148 IU Vitamin C: 3.34 mg Calcium: 18.79 mg Iron: 0.76 mg