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    Home » Healthy Baked Falafel Recipe

    Healthy Baked Falafel Recipe

    Published: Jul 22, 2020 · Modified: Sep 17, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    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!

    stack fo 6 baked falafels

    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 ingredients in this baked falafel recipe
    • Chickpeas. I recommend using canned, drained rinsed chickpeas. If you cook your own, you will need about 1 ¼ 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. 
    overhead view of baked falafel in pita bread

    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

    Grease a baking sheet well

     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 TBS 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.

    Portion & Bake

    Form about 2 TBS portions of falafel mixture into thin patties and place on a greased baking sheet!  Bake for about 20 minutes, flip them over & bake for 10 more (or until golden brown).

    Two overhead photos showing how to bake falafel

    Serve

    Lots of people also ask, "What do you eat with falafel?" Here are some of my best suggestions!

    • I always serve it with this homemade tzatziki sauce, it's seriously the best combination ever. 
    • Serve it on top of your favorite salad recipe, like this Greek salad recipe, roasted vegetable quinoa salad or this burrata salad!
    • Serve it wrapped in a warm pita! 
    • Eat it plain! 

    Store

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

    To freeze: 

    1. Let the falafel cool to room temperature.
    2. Place baked falafel in a single layer on a baking sheet and put in the freezer to "flash freeze" 
    3. After 3 hours, transfer frozen falafel to a freezer-friendly, airtight container.
    4. Simply reheat in the oven when ready to eat!
    overhead photo of baked falafel in a pita with tzatziki

    FAQs about Baked Falafel

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

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Baked Falafel

    Healthy Baked Falafel Recipe

    Laura
    This baked falafel recipe is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Chickpeas, fresh herbs, garlic onion and spices make this 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. 
    5 from 31 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 16 falafel
    Calories 38.1 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor
    • baking sheet
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • glass batter bowl

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 15 oz can chickpeas drained and rinsed
    • ½ cup white onion finely diced
    • 1 cup fresh parsley lightly packed
    • 1 cup fresh cilantro lightly packed
    • ½-1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
    • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp coriander
    • 2 tsp cumin
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • 2 TBS ground flaxseed
    • 1 TBS olive oil for greasing your pan

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • Add chickpeas, onions, parsley and cilantro to your food processor fitted with an “S” blade. Process until well combined (but still chunky).
    • Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, coriander, cumin, baking powder and flaxseed. Process until well mixed and fine. (mixture will ball up in the processor).
    • Generously grease a large baking sheet with oil (olive or canola).
    • Roll about 2 TBS of falafel mixture into balls and then flatten into discs and place on baking sheet evenly spaced.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, flip and bake on second side for 10-15 minutes (until golden brown)
    • Remove from oven and serve with tzatziki sauce, in a pita, or on a salad!

    Video

    Notes

    Store: 

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.

    To freeze: 

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

    Ingredient substitutions

    • Chickpeas. I recommend using canned, drained rinsed chickpeas. If you cook your own, you will need about 1 ¼ 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 healthy falafel 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 vegan falafel recipe. You can substitute 1 egg for the 2 TBS ground flaxseed. 

    What to 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.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1falafelCalories: 38.1kcalCarbohydrates: 5.4gProtein: 1.4gFat: 1.4gPotassium: 64.4mgFiber: 1.4gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 320IUVitamin C: 8.3mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.6mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Photos in this post are by the talented Jamie from Dishing Out Health!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Regina Noreen Bishop

      March 23, 2022 at 4:52 am

      5 stars
      This recipe was excellent. I recommend it nice and crispy it made 11 patties for me. I think I'll be able to make it even easier next time that I know the recipe. I used organic sesame and I squeezed living on top of it. I think they're even more delicious at room temperature. TY

      Reply
    2. Regina Noreen Bishop

      March 21, 2022 at 11:41 am

      I'm going to try to make these tomorrow. Can you tell me I have a ninja what setting to use. I'm so excited to find this recipe. I thank God that you created it for us to enjoy. Have a blessed day

      Reply
    3. Andrea

      January 29, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      5 stars
      Finally! A great healthy falafel recipe and I’ve tried a few. I made recipe as is and loved it.

      Reply
    4. Susan

      December 11, 2021 at 11:52 am

      Flavor was delicious but patties were kind of dry. The mixture was quite wet when forming the patties, but once baked they were dry. Suggestions for making more moist?

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 11, 2021 at 2:21 pm

        Sounds like they were over baked. Bake for less time!

        Reply
      • Kori

        July 02, 2022 at 4:54 pm

        5 stars
        This is the best homemade falafel recipe I've found in the last 5 years. Well done! The only difference I had was it only made 9 patties, so next time I will double the recipe. Thank you!

        Reply
        • Laura

          July 03, 2022 at 7:06 am

          Thank you so much Kori!

    5. Amy

      October 27, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      I am going to make these and freeze leftovers! What temperature of the oven and what length of time would you recommend for reheating?

      Reply
    6. Sydney

      July 12, 2021 at 2:52 pm

      I don't have a food processor...would a really low quality blender work? Or something else?

      Reply
    7. Dawn

      June 14, 2021 at 11:14 pm

      5 stars
      These were great! Wanted baked falafels from canned chick peas so was happy to find your recipe. Thrilled they turned out crispy and delicious. Will be my go to falafel recipe.

      Reply
    8. Kevin

      June 05, 2021 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      If you have a small food processor, separate the ingredients into two bowls because you will have to chop it up in two batches. Also put the chickpeas in last so the other ingredients are weighted down, this just makes it easier to blend.
      And do not use cooked chickpeas or you will have mush that breaks into sad little bits. Learned that on my first attempt 🙁
      This second attempt was a success thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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