This Baked Falafel Sandwich makes a filling lunch or dinner and is much healthier than deep fried falafel. This flavorful vegan falafel recipe is ready to be loaded up with your favorite toppings.
One of the reasons I wanted to make falafel sandwiches is because a healthier sandwich is always a good thing. And I don't know about you, but sandwiches are my downfall.
Seriously, I would be perfectly happy with a sandwich every day. Baked falafel seemed like a nice way to cut a few calories and fat.
I love the deep fried falafel balls that I have eaten in restaurants, but I just wanted to have fun and be creative in a healthier way.
You can eat the patties as a side also and not on a sandwich. Dunk a bite in a little almond mayonnaise, homemade vegan ranch dressing, or any other of your favorite sauces, and it would also be a very nice
The flavors are all there. Add a little oil to the cookie sheet to allow the flat surfaces to brown up on the patties.
Chef’s tips
- Form the vegan falafel patties fat and flat on each side so they evenly touch the baking sheet - this helps ensure good browning.
- When forming the patties, be gentle and do not pack them too tightly, or they will be denser after baking.
- Bake time will vary slightly based on your preference. If you like the patties more brown and crispy, you can just bake for a couple of minutes longer.
- Don’t forget to grease the baking sheet - using olive oil or another oil of choice - otherwise, your patties may stick, and the oil also helps them get brown and crispy.
Vegan falafel recipe ingredients
- Olive OIl - or other oil of choice to grease the baking sheet.
- Canned Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas) - Drained. You can also cook and drain dried garbanzo beans but using canned is so quick and easy.
- Onion
- Fresh Garlic Cloves
- Lemon Juice
- Spices: Cumin, Coriander, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, and Pepper
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Rolls - small rolls of your choice for serving
How to prepare
- Make the Falafel Patties: Mash the garbanzo beans in a large bowl using a potato masher.
- Add the minced onion, garlic, lemon juice, spices, flour, and baking soda. Mix together well.
- Gently form into patties using your hands. Make them fat but flat on the sides that touch the baking sheet. Add patties to a greased baking sheet.
- Bake the Vegan Falafel: Bake in a 400°F preheated oven - about 10 to 15 minutes per side, until browned on each side.
- Serve Falafel Sandwich: Add baked falafel to the rolls of your choice and serve with your favorite toppings and condiments.
Falafel pita variation
In addition to serving in rolls and buns ... Vegan baked falafel are amazing stuffed in pita pockets.
Try making your own homemade pita bread for a sandwich that is out of this world. It takes just a few ingredients to make this soft and fluffy vegan pita bread and I promise it is 10x better than what you can buy at the store.
Load up your falafel pita with toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers, and hummus - like this easy roasted red bell pepper hummus.
📋 Recipe
Baked Falafel Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - for the baking sheet
- 15 ounce garbanzo beans, canned and drained
- ½ cup onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 16 small rolls or pita pockets
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°
- Lightly grease a cookie sheet for browning the patties.
- Place the beans into a large bowl and mash with a potato masher.
- I put my onions into a food processor and pulse two to four times because I like smaller pieces of onion in my patties.
- To the large bowl add onion, garlic, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, flour, baking powder, salt and pepper.
- Mix well.
- Form into patties and space out on a cookie sheet. I like to form them fat, and then as flat as I can on each side so that the patty surface touches the pan as much as possible - for the browning.
- Bake about 10 to 15 minutes on each side. 20 to 30 minutes total. Depending on how brown you like your patties.
- Serve on small rolls or in mini pita pockets with your favorite condiments. I used my homemade almond mayonnaise recipe. Lettuce is perfect on these sandwiches too. Dill pickles on the side are classic.
amy anderson
These were great! I put mine in a pita that I warmed for a few mins in the oven while the patties were finishing. I added lettuce, a few strips of dill pickle, feta, and some trader Joe's cucumber sauce. They were exepensive and much healthier than your usual fried falafel type sandwich. Great lunch or dinner option. The portion size is just right.
Ginny McMeans
That is great! The cucumber sauce sounds like a really good idea and thanks so much for trying my recipe. It means a lot.
Valerie
I have been searching for a good falafel recipe and this one hit the spot! I had to of my co-workers try the falafel and they said it was amazing.
Ginny McMeans
Oh, Thank you so much. That makes me happy and you are a very nice co-worker. 🙂
CARMEN
Hello! Thank you for the falafel recipe! I am going to try these this week. I've never tried falafel but I absolutely love chickpeas so what's not to like? Anyway, I'm not familiar with tahini sauce, where do you find that in the grocery store? Also, do you have a calorie count for the patties? I can't wait to try this!
Ginny McMeans
Tahini is found in Whole Foods and Sprouts and other Natural Foods grocery stores. It is traditional with falafel. Many do not like tahini so if you are new to it you might just want to try any of your favorite sandwich condiments. Can't wait for you to try this falafel recipe. 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
Falaf is one of those things I have always wanted to try at home! Thank you for this recipe! Looks great.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
I love falafel! Love this baked version!
Ginny McMeans
I am so glad you found this Ashley! Hope you get to make them soon. 🙂
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet
I have never had falafel before but it looks so good!!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
I love a good and crispy falafel sandwich! I can't wait to try baking it next time.
Tricia
I was wondering if you bake them before you freeze or after. I have never had falafel and cannot wait to try these!
Ginny McMeans
With this instruction I have it to freeze after you bake but they can be frozen before you bake too. Either would work. Whatever fits into your schedule.
Christina @ Christina's Cucina
This is so funny! I was just talking to my mother about making falafel this morning! I had a falafel wrap in Santa Monica on Saturday, and a salad with falafel just yesterday! Never thought of baking it! Great recipe, Ginny!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Would you believe I've never tried falafel? Now I absolutely have to!
Annie @ Annie's Noms
I love homemade falafel! Love that this is baked, means I won't feel guilty eating it!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
I love the word falafel. Now I need to try your recipe. It looks like such a delicious sandwich.
Laura @ Family Spice
I love falafels, but I've only made them once and they were super dry. I will have to try yours next!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
Thanks for sharing this! I literally just had fried falafel (and I didn't know if would be fried) when I was traveling earlier in the week and thought --- I need a non-fried version. Love yours!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
Gorgeous fresh flavors here! I recently made some deviled eggs flavored with falafel-spices. Love it!
cristina
Healthful alternative to frying, will need to try as I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of a falafel, yet! 😉
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
I looooove falafel! This baked sandwich version sounds delicious!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
I love falafel, but have never tried to make it home. Your sandwich looks delicious!
Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto
Love the fried falafel sandwich but definitely agree the baked version is much healthier!!
Kristin
Do you cook the patty first and then freeze it?
Ginny McMeans
It works either way Kristin. They're very easy to work with. When I freeze before baking, I lay them on a cookie sheet and let them freeze for an hour or so and then I wrap in plastic wrap. They are easier to handle then.
Kristin
Thanks so much for the quick response!
Jillian
Baked falafel - yum!
Laura
looks amazing, so healthy
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Baked falafel's are so much better for you. We love them in our househild
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction
This baked Falafel looks absolutely delicious! I'd love one right now!
Dannii
I would happily eat falafel all day long. Throw some harissa on this too and even better!
Ginny McMeans
'Nuff said 🙂
Gina
Hi! Can you advise, do we add the teaspoon of olive oil to the falafel mixture? I didn't see it in the instructions. Thank you!
Ginny McMeans
Sorry Gina! That was an error and I fixed the recipe card. Thanks for the heads up!
Grace
Do you drain the beans
Ginny McMeans
Yes, drained Grace.
Michael
These patties were so good. We devoured them and thanks because I never would have thought to make these type of bean sandwiches.