Baked Falafel Recipe

Posted Jul 22, 2020, Updated May 26, 2024

5 from 51 votes

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This baked falafel recipe is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Chickpeas, fresh herbs, garlic onion and spices make this easy falafel recipe flavorful and delicious. Plus this healthy falafel recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. Serve them stuffed inside a pita or over a salad for a delicious meatless meal.

overhead view of baked falafel in pita bread

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a veggie-lover living with a family of carnivores…so when I create a vegetarian recipe that my meat & potatoes husband loves, you know it’s really good.

I spent years perfecting this healthy baked falafel recipe. It’s made with chickpeas, fresh herbs, garlic, onion and spices so it’s flavorful and delicious. Plus, it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free!

This easy falafel recipe only takes 5 minutes to whip up in the food processor, making it the perfect vegetarian weeknight meal. They freeze beautifully, making them a great meal-prep recipe!

Serve them tucked in a pita with some crunchy roasted chickpeas and slathered with the best homemade tzatziki sauce and you will be in heaven! Or serve them over the best Greek Salad with a side of tabbouleh.

Baked Falafel Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are some notes on the ingredients in this vegan falafel recipe, as well as possible substituions.

Overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this baked falafel recipe

Chickpeas. I recommend using canned, drained rinsed chickpeas. If you cook your own, you will need about 1 1/4 cups cooked chickpeas.
White onion. Any onion works well in this recipe. I have used red, white, and yellow all with great results.
Fresh Parsley & Cilantro. Fresh herbs are definitely the best choice when making this recipe. However if you have freeze-dried or frozen herbs those can work well too.
Garlic powder. Fresh minced garlic can be used in place of garlic powder.
Coriander and Cumin. There really are no substitutions for these two critical spices in this falafel recipe.
Olive oil. Any neutral oil works well to grease the pan. I recommend olive oil, canola oil or avocado oil.
Ground flaxseed. This is the binding agent in this recipe. You can substitute 1 egg for the 2 TBS ground flaxseed.

How to Make Falafel

This easy falafel recipe comes together in mere minutes in the food processor with just a handful of ingredients. We’ll walk through the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Process Chickpeas, Onions & Herbs

I suggest making this vegan falafel recipe in the food processor. Start by processing the chunkier ingredients (chickpeas, herbs, & onions) until a coarse mixture forms.

two overhead photos showing how to make falafel

Add Spices

Next, add spices and process until the mixture is smooth and homogenous (uniform throughout). At this point I recommend tasting the mixture and adjusting the salt/spices to your liking.

two overhead photos showing how to make baked falafel

Portion & Bake

Thoroughly Grease Baking Sheet

To keep the healthy Baked Falafel from sticking to the pan, you need to grease it with olive oil (not nonstick spray), very generously.

Add about 1 Tablespoon of olive oil onto the pan and use a spatula (or your fingers) to spread it around. This ensures that there is a sufficient amount of oil to crisp the falafel and make it easy to flip halfway through baking.

Form about 2 Tablespoon portions of falafel mixture into thin patties and place on a greased baking sheet.

Baked Falafel on a baking sheet before baking

Bake for about 20 minutes, flip them over & bake for 10 more (or until golden brown).

Baked Falafel on a baking sheet after baking

Serve

Lots of people also ask, “What do you eat with falafel?” Here are some of my best suggestions – we serve it with our favorite Mediterranean recipes!

I always serve it with this homemade tzatziki sauce and homemade hummus, it’s seriously the best combination ever.
Serve it on top of your favorite salad recipe, like this homemade tabbouleh salad, Greek salad recipe, Mediterranean chickpea salad, roasted vegetable quinoa salad or this burrata salad!
Serve it wrapped in a warm homemade pita or with a side of yellow rice.
Eat it plain!

up close photo of Baked Falafel Recipe on a pita with tzatziki

Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Freeze

Let the falafel cool to room temperature.
Place baked falafel in a single layer on a baking sheet and put in the freezer to “flash freeze”
After 3 hours, transfer frozen falafel to a freezer-friendly, airtight container.
Simply reheat in the oven when ready to eat!

overhead view of baked falafel on a serving rack with tzatziki, lemon and tomatoes

Baked Falafel Recipe FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about making this baked falafel recipe!

Is baked falafel healthy?

Yes! Baking instead of frying reduces the amount of fat and calories in this healthy falafel recipe! With protein and fiber rich chickpeas and loads of fresh herbs, these baked falafels are a great healthy meal!

Can you use canned chickpeas for falafel?

Yes! That is what this vegan falafel recipe calls for and what I use! I don’t have time to cook dried chickpeas, so I always used canned. Just be sure to drain them well.

What can you serve with falafel?

Serve it with a dollop of the best homemade tzatziki sauce.
Stuff some crunchy roasted chickpeas into a pita with falafel.
Serve them over this greek salad with the best greek dressing.

overhead photo of baked falafel in a pita with tzatziki

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!

Baked Falafel Recipe

Baked Falafel Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions