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Fantastic vegan Falafel recipe

Name: Vegan falafel recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 cup chickpeas; 1/2 onion (any type but I used a white onion); 1 cup parsley (give falafel their distinctive flavour and turn the inside a beautiful, vibrant green. ); 1/2 cup cilantro; 4 garlic cloves (minced); 1 green chili pepper; 2 tsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 1 tsp ground cumin; 1/2 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp salt (adjust to your liking); 1/2 tsp black pepper (adjust to your preference); 1 tbsp chickpea flour; 1/2 tsp baking soda ((bircarbonate of soda) A critical ingredient for helping to provide the fluffy inside texture of the falafel.); Olive oil for frying (I used olive oil but have also used Avocado oil)

Plant-based & Nutritious

Time To Prep

10 Minutes

Meal Benefits

Vegan Protein

Key Vitamins

Vitamins B6, C & K

Vegan falafel recipe

By: Vegan Agility Team Last updated: December 4, 2020

Jump To Recipe

Being a lover of middle eastern food meant I felt it was compulsory for me to put together a vegan falafel recipe for all other plant-based health-conscious individuals to enjoy since falafel cooked the right way is extremely healthy and delicious!

But what is falafel?

Falafels are fabulously flavorsome vegan balls made of crunchy chickpea and herb deliciousness that is predominantly found in Middle Eastern cooking. They are predominantly a plant-based dish that works magnificently alongside vegan salads, wraps, pita bread, sandwiches, and of course, great on their own. They can be baked as well as fried. My preference is fried, but if you’re concerned about calories, they can be baked.

When I first made Falafel, I didn’t realize that the chickpeas needed only to be soaked and not boiled. The fell apart while being fried, a disaster, but they smelled and tasted so good. So tin chickpeas are out, and a bag of dried chickpeas is what you need. Remember to soak them overnight.

Is falafel vegan?

Yes, falafel’s are vegan thanks to all ingredients needed to make the falafel mix being completely plant-based. The ingredients that make up the majority of a falafel recipe are chickpeas plus a variety of different herbs and spices, which are all dairy-free, meat-free, and 100% vegan friendly.

Chickpeas are a wonderful plant food to use regularly in your diet thanks to their wonderful nutrient profile and many health benefits.

Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) nutrient info

Nutrition per 1 cup:

Macronutrients: Fat 4.2g, Carbohydrates 45g, Protein 14.5g

Vitamins: Vitamin C: 2.1mg 2% DV, Vitamin E: 0.6mg 4% DV, Vitamin K: 6.6μg 5% DV

Minerals: Zinc 2.5mg – 23% DV, Iron 4.7mg – 26% DV, Magnesium 78.7mg – 19% DV

Health Benefits of chickpeas

Chickpeas are one of the tastiest legumes and a brilliant vegan food source to add to your diet thanks to their great nutritional profile. They are the staple of many popular vegan dishes such as chickpea curries and vegan hummus.
1 cup of chickpeas provides 20% of your minimum daily protein intake and a whopping 50% of your daily fiber needs, which makes them a magnificent food to have stocked in your kitchen.
Recent studies show that chickpeas may help to reduce the risk of obesity and support healthier weight management, which is likely due to the high amount of fiber and protein.
Chickpeas are also a fantastic source of zinc, iron, and magnesium, which are all essential nutrients needed on a vegan diet, making hummus a great way to boost your healthy mineral intake while on a plant-based diet.

Is falafel gluten-free?

Most recipes with falafel are usually gluten-free since the ingredients traditionally use chickpea flour (gram flour), which is free from gluten. However, a small amount of store-bought falafel mixes and products may use flours that contain wheat to stretch the ingredients to make larger batches acting as a filler ingredient, so if you have a gluten intolerance, make sure to check the nutritional information on the packet before purchasing.

Gluten-free substitutes

Gluten-free self-raising flour

Gluten-free baking powder

What are the best oils to fry falafel in?

The best oils for frying falafel contain a low proportion of polyunsaturated fats, are predominantly saturated or monounsaturated, and they also have a high smoke point (the point at which the temperature at which the oil starts to breakdown). Below are the top 3 healthy oils to fry falafel in: