If you’re looking for a Middle Eastern-inspired dish, falafel bowls are a must-try. With a handful of ingredients and (less than) 30 minutes, you’ll have a dish worth showing off to your family and friends! Here’s how easy is it to make this delicious recipe.
A Little Falafel History
If you go too deep into history, you’ll find an ongoing rivalry of who invented the falafel first. The Israelis claim it as one of their national dishes while the Palestinians will say it’s a distinct Arab specialty. Even with both of these claims, it’s said the falafel belongs to the Egyptians (just like much of everything else). But can this even be trusted?
Without giving you a full-fledged history lesson, I’ll just say this – there is one thing all falafels have in common, no matter where they’re from… they are good!
Homemade Falafel Bowls
Enjoying a meal like falafel bowls not only satisfies your taste buds but also offers a wholesome and delicious experience. The combination of fresh greens, chickpeas, garlic, and flavorful spices makes it a delightful choice for any meal.
Chickpeas are one of the primary ingredients in falafels and provide a range of nutrients, while aromatic garlic and digestive-friendly cumin add to the flavor and appeal of this dish.
To make this popular dish you’ll need:
- mixed greens
- dry chickpeas
- chickpea flour
- garlic
- red onion
- tomato
- oil
- spices
How to Make Falafel Bowls
- To prepare the falafel mixture, start by placing the chopped onion, garlic cloves, and parsley in a food processor.
- Pulse these ingredients a few times until they’re finely chopped.
- Then, add the dried chickpeas, cumin, salt, and ground pepper to the processor and pulse again. This time, continue blending until you achieve a granulated texture.
- Once you’ve reached the desired texture, transfer the mixture into a bowl.
- Next, add the chickpea flour and stir thoroughly. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes. You should now have a thick enough consistency to shape the falafel balls.
- If needed, you can add an additional tablespoon of chickpea flour to improve the texture. You’ll have enough mixture to make up to 16 falafel balls.
- Now, it’s time to cook the falafels. Heat some oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the falafel balls. Cook them until they become golden brown on all sides.
- To serve, place the falafel balls over a bed of fresh green leaves.
- Top them off with the delicious tahini sauce. To make the sauce, combine Greek yogurt, finely chopped cucumber, mayonnaise, dill weed, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix everything together, drizzle it over your falafel bowls, and enjoy!
Psst… you can also try different variations of sauces. If you like tzatziki sauce, try your hand at making a homemade batch and drizzling it on top instead.
FALAFEL BOWL RECIPE
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PrintFalafel Bowls with an Epic Sauce
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 14–16 Falafels 1x
Description
Quick & Easy Homemade Falafel Bowls: A delicious Middle Eastern-inspired meal in under 30 minutes! Learn how to make nutritious falafels with a crispy exterior and pair them with fresh greens. Perfect for a family-friendly dinner!
Ingredients
For the Falafels:
- 1 Cup Dry chickpeas, soaked for at least 12 hours
- â…“ Cup Chickpea Flour
- ½ Red Onion, roughly chopped
- 3 Cloves Garlic
- ÂĽ Cup Fresh Parsley
- ÂĽ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- Oil for frying
For the Salad:
- 2 Cups Green leaves of choice
- 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes
For the Sauce:
- 6 oz. (Âľ Cup) Greek Yogurt
- ½ Cucumber, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon dried Dill weed
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Set the chopped onion, garlic cloves and parsley in a food processor. Pulse a few times.
- Add previously soaked and drained chickpeas, cumin, salt and ground pepper and blend again. Blend until granulated texture.
- Transfer the mix to a bowl and add chickpea flour. Stir very well and let it rest for 5 minutes. After that, you should be able to form the falafel balls, add one more tablespoon of chickpea flour if needed.
- Pressing very well with your hands roll the mixture into 14-16 falafels.Â
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet until it crackles when a splash of water hits it. Set the heat to medium. Cook the falafels until golden on all sides.
- Serve them in a salad bowl with green leaves, cherry tomatoes and tahini sauce and Naan bread on the side.Â
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer: The provided nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on ingredient brands and quantities. For precise details, consult a registered dietitian or use a nutrition calculator.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 8
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 Falafels
- Calories: 100-120
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 150-200 mg
- Fat: 4-6 gr
- Carbohydrates: 12-15 gr
- Fiber: 2-3 gr
- Protein: 4-5 gr
- Cholesterol: varies based on cooking method
Kathy
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