When was the last time you made falafel? When was the last time you ENJOYED falafel? The answer is now! This falafel recipe makes a perfect lunch or a light dinner. Great recipe to whip up for your vegetarian guests, but delicious enough for everyone!
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Keep lunch interesting this week with falafel
Now my husband can eat the same thing for lunch everyday for years. YEARS! Once he finds something that he enjoys, he sticks with it. I cannot do this. I may like it for a day or two but by day three, I am over it.
Last week I made this curry chicken salad on romaine with slivered almonds, and I made enough for a week so that way I didn’t have to think about it, it was already ready.
Way to go me! Meal prep! By day two I couldn’t eat it. Its not that it wasn’t good, I have just found with lunch, in particular, I need to have a rotating schedule, otherwise I am burned out and I end up eating a bowl of cereal with some cookies and chips. Not my most shining moment.
So now this little beauty has made it into the rotation.
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Falafel is full of good protein
Falafels fulfills all the lunch requirements; filling but not heavy, protein to fill me up and last me until dinner, and something new and exciting to take me out of my mundane lunch trend.
The best thing of all is it lets me enjoy salad which is quite a feat in itself since I usually avoid salad, on principle. This particular salad is one of my go-to’s with avocado, tomato, red onion on a bed of spinach with whatever dressing I have on hand.
Now when I make this for dinner, it needs to be a little more filling so I serve it in a pita pocket with tzatziki, or with a side of naan.
Simple way to throw falafel together
Seriously, throwing this falafel recipe together couldn’t be easier. Just put all your ingredients into your food processor and process until finely chopped. Then scoop into balls. I like to use this scoop (same one I use for cookies) to keep everything nice and uniform. And I love the grip on this scoop! So comfy!
Love this falafel recipe? Try these other vegetarian meals!
Mediterranean Vegetable Pie 
Super Greens Pesto
If you decide to give this recipe a try, be sure to snap a photo to share, tagging @theovenlight and #theovenlight on Instagram or Facebook!
Simple Healthy Falafel
Ingredients
- 1 10 oz can of garbanzo beans drained
- 4 cloves of garlic peeled
- 1/2 red onion
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/3 C parsley
- 1/4 C bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a food processor, add all ingredients. Pulse until finely chopped, scraping down sides a few times.
- Scoop into cookie-sized balls (about 2 Tbsp)
- Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in skillet on medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Add falafel to skillet, careful not to crowd so you have enough room to flip.
- Cook on each side for 3-4 minutes until browned. Add olive oil when you flip if the pan gets dry.
Notes
Ooh, these do look easy and yummy – must try!
Yes! Start to finish we were done in about 15 minutes! And so yummy!
I followed the recipe and the mix was very thin/loose and came apart in the oil. Is it possible I blended too long? I added more breadcrumbs and that made them barely firm enough to bake. The baked are good but the inside is still pretty soft
I’m so sorry they didn’t work right for you! I haven’t had that same problem. To keep the mixture firm, be sure to completely drain the garbanzo beans or perhaps cut back on the lemon.
You can add an egg too, right, Amy?
Hi Michael. Yes! If your falafel is not holding together well, an egg could be helpful. I haven’t tried it this way, but it should work just fine.
Hi Rachel, I gotta say for a foodie like myself, this is my favorite to-go-to recipe! The recipe is so easy, the flavor is soooooo delish, I add a lil extra spice, and everyone loves this, my hubby is always asking for seconds. Thank you soooo much!
I’m so glad you love it as much as we do!