Is Falafel Vegan or Vegetarian? (Easy Recipe!)

If you’re vegan or vegetarian, you’ve probably wondered if falafel is a dish that you can enjoy. The answer is…it depends! Falafel can be made either way, so it’s up to you to choose the version that fits into your diet. In this blog post, we’ll give you a recipe for both vegan and vegetarian falafel, so you can decide which one is right for you!

What is falafel?

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made from chickpeas (garbanzo beans) or fava beans that have been ground into a paste. The paste is then formed into balls or patties and deep-fried. Falafel can be served on its own as an appetizer or main course, or it can be added to salads, wraps, and sandwiches.

History of Falafel

The exact origins of falafel are unknown, but it is thought to date back to ancient Egypt. The dish became popular in the Middle East during the Mamluk period (1250-1517), and it soon spread to other parts of the world, including Europe and America.

When is Falafel not vegan?

Traditional falafel is vegan, as it does not contain any animal products. However, some modern recipes for falafel may call for eggs or dairy products, so be sure to check the ingredients list before you make it.

Also, beware of what is paired with the falafel. If you are ordering falafel at a restaurant, it may come with tzatziki sauce, which contains dairy. Order your falafel without the sauce, or ask for a vegan-friendly alternative.

Is Falafel vegetarian?

As we mentioned above, traditional falafel is vegan, which means it is also suitable for vegetarians. However, if you are a strict vegetarian (meaning you do not eat any animal products, including honey), you should be aware that most falafel recipes call for deep-frying the patties in oil. This means that the finished dish will likely contain traces of animal products. If this is a concern for you, we recommend either avoiding

What ingredients are falafel made of?

The main ingredient in falafel is either chickpeas or fava beans. These are ground into a paste and then mixed with spices such as cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, fresh parsley, yellow onion, shallots, and garlic. Some recipes may also call for flour, baking powder, and/or eggs.

Is it better to soak chickpeas for falafel?

Soaking the dried chickpeas overnight at room temperature will help to soften them and make them easier to grind into a paste.

However, if you’re short on time, you can also boil the chickpeas and set them aside to soak for an hour until they are soft enough to mash with a fork.

If you have no time at all then canned chickpeas will do!

What is the best way to cook falafel?

Most recipes for falafel call for deep-frying the patties in oil. This gives them a crispy exterior and a moist, flavorful interior. If you’re trying to avoid fried foods, you can also bake your falafel patties in an oven set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Does falafel have meat in it?

No, falafel does not contain meat.

Is falafel gluten-free?

Most recipes for falafel are gluten-free, as they do not contain wheat flour. However, some recipes may call for all-purpose flour or breadcrumbs, so be sure to check the ingredients list before you make it.

Is falafel healthy?

Falafel is generally considered to be a healthy dish because it contains lots of fresh herbs. It is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber and protein. However, because it is deep-fried, it can also be high in calories and fat.

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative, you can try baking your falafel patties instead of deep frying them.

Now that we’ve answered some of the most common questions about falafel, let’s get to the recipe!

What to eat falafel with?

Falafel can be eaten on its own as an appetizer or main course, or it can be added to salads, wraps, and sandwiches.

If you’re serving falafel as an appetizer, you can try dipping it in tzatziki sauce, hummus, or your favorite salad dressing.

If you’re using it as a filling for a sandwich or wrap, we recommend pairing it with fresh vegetables and a vegan-friendly condiment such as tahini sauce or avocado mayonnaise.

Pita bread and falafel are a classic combination, but this dish can also be served on a bed of rice or salad.

Try it with red onions, avocado, and tomato for a flavorful and healthy meal.

Easy Vegan Falafel Recipe

Ingredients:

Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) – dried soaked chickpeas, overnight or boiled for an hour (if you’re short on time)

Fresh parsley and cilantro: fresh herbs give the falafel its flavor and color so don’t skip on these!

Spices: Salt, Black pepper, Ground cumin, and cardamom are often used in middle eastern dishes and give the falafel a flavor you can’t resist.

Serrano Pepper: Using a small green chile pepper like Serrano will give the falafel a little bit of a kick. You can also use jalapeño peppers if you can’t find any.

Onion: Shallot, yellow onion, white onion, or red onion can be used

Garlic: Fresh garlic is always the way to go

Flour: chickpea flour, almond flour, and all-purpose flour will work. Use your favorite gluten-free flour blend.

Baking soda: Helps keep the inside of the falafel moist and fluffy.

Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans) – dried soaked chickpeas, overnight or boiled for an

Oil for frying: I recommend using avocado or coconut oil instead of vegetable oil

How to make homemade falafel step by step

The first step is to soak the dried chickpeas overnight at room temperature.

If you’re short on time, you can also boil the chickpeas and set them aside to soak for an hour until they are soft enough to mash with a fork.

If you have no time at all then canned chickpeas will do!

Once the chickpeas are soaked, drain and rinse them before adding them to a food processor or blender.

Add the chickpeas, onion, parsley, cilantro, garlic, green pepper and spices to a food processor and pulse the food processor until everything is combined and the mixture has a coarse sand-like consistency.

Use a large bowl to transfer the falafel mixture and stir in the chickpea flour and baking soda. Cover the bowl with saran wrap or a lid and chill for 30 minutes to an hour.

This will help the falafel to bind together when frying or baking.

Once the falafel mixture is blended, shape it into small patties using a cookie scoop.

You can make them into round balls or a flatter shape like a patty.

If you’re deep-frying your falafel, heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat.

Carefully add the patties to the hot oil and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crispy.

Place on a plate with a paper towel to soak up the excess oil.

Baked method

If you’re baking your falafel, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Lightly brush the paper with oil

Bake the falafel patties for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Serve immediately with tzatziki sauce, hummus, or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy your crispy falafel!

Pan fry method

If you’re pan frying your falafel, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Place the falafel patties in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Lay on a plate lined with a paper towel to soak up excess oil.

Did you know that falafel is a popular middle eastern street food all over the world? If you’re lucky enough to travel to countries like Egypt, Lebanon, or Israel, you can find falafel stands on almost every corner!

How to store falafel

Leftover falafel can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

You can also freeze leftover falafel patties for up to two months.

How to reheat falafel

To reheat, simply thaw the frozen patties overnight in the fridge and then heat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

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