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a plate of vegan falafels with tahini in a bowl on the side.
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4.89 from 9 votes

Vegan Falafels

Vegan Falafels are a popular Middle Eastern dish that's deep fried balls of dough made from chickpeas that are surprisingly gluten free.  Can also be baked.
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Overnight Soaking8 hours
Total Time8 hours 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Servings: 12 falafels
Calories: 71kcal

Ingredients

If Deep Frying

Instructions

  • Add dried chickpeas to a bowl. Sprinkle over 1 teaspoon baking soda. Add 4 cups of water. Stir together. Soak dried chickpeas overnight. Drain chickpeas from water and lay them out on a towel.  Thoroughly pat them dry.  Get as much moisture out as possible.
  • In a small sauce pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add all the garlic. Cook, stirring often until fragrant and golden brown. Remove the garlic and reserve the oil. 
  • Add chickpeas to a food processor with the garlic and remaining ingredients. Pulse, scrapping down the sides often, until all the ingredients are chopped up and a thick batter is left. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes to hydrate and intensive the flavor.
  • Roll into 1" balls (you can use a cookie scoop to ensure even size).

For Deep Fried Falafels (Traditional)

  • Once all the balls are made, heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy bottomed pot and bring the temperature up to 350 degrees F. Add the baking soda to the oil.
  • Drop falafels into the oil and cook for 2 ½-5 minutes, moving around to ensure golden brown on all sides. Remove from the oil and lay on a towel lined plate to remove excess oil. Repeat with remaining balls.

Skillet Method

  • Once falafels are shaped - Add a little oil to a skillet and move them around for 5-7 minutes ensuring that all sides are cooked golden brown.
    Alternatively, if you want to deep fry but only have a skillet, you can add enough oil to a heavy bottom skillet or dutch oven and fry for a few minutes like above. It's best to have a thermometer to make sure you are frying at 350 degrees F.  

Air Fryer Method (Oil Free)

  • Once falafels are shaped -Place the falafels inside your air fryer at 350 degrees F and cook for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway. Should be a golden brown color on the outside. 

Baked Method (Oil Free)

  • Place the falafels on a baking sheet and into a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees F.  Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway. Should be a golden brown color on the outside. 
  • Serve inside pitas, or with vegan turmeric garlic rice

Video

Notes

*See post for details on cooking methods and dried vs canned chickpeas.
**Nutritional facts are just estimates. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates.  Oil values not included.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1falafel | Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg