Baked Falafel makes a fantastic sandwich and is healthier than the deep fried version. The flavors are all there and the falafels are great as an entree too.
One of the reasons I wanted to make a Baked Falafel Sandwich is because a healthier sandwich is always a good thing. And I don't know about you but sandwiches are my downfall.
Bread may be my first downfall but then when you dress them up with wonderful spreads and flavorful stuffings I am hooked.
Seriously, I would be perfectly happy with a sandwich every day. Baked falafel just seemed like a nice way to cut a few calories and some fat.
Don't get me wrong, I love the deep fried falafel balls that I have eaten in restaurants. In fact, I am also working on a copycat restaurant recipe right now. 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 or another of your favorite sauces and it would be great.
The flavors are all there. To get that crispy fried taste just a little oil is added to the cookie sheet for the flat surfaces to brown up on the patties.
That's one of the reasons these are patties and not balls. I wanted to get them browned and crispy on as much surface as I could. Flattened worked really well.
You could also line up a row of these small pattties in between two slices of this Best Homemade Vegan Bread Recipe for a lot of delicious flavors.
These only take about 15 minutes of your time to make and the rest is done in the oven. They are so simple and the reward is high on the charts so try to get these made soon so you can start enjoying them as quick as you can.
What are Some Meatless Sandwiches?
Besides Vegan Sloppy Joes I have quite a variety of popular sandwiches that come up on top in google search. As I mentioned above I'm kind of a sandwich freak.
I won't list them all but a few that are different from each other.
Loaded Chickpea Salad Sandwich has a couple of ingredient twists that really add the goodness of this lunch mix.
If you can take a few minutes to roast a few veggies then this Roasted Vegetable Sandwich will knock your sock off. Just make sure you take a bite over a plate. It's juicy good.
Vegan Banh Mi Sandwich takes advantage of a famous Vietnamese sandwich and uses marinated and baked tofu. There are directions to make everything homemade if you so choose.
How about a picture of the Loaded Chickpea Salad Sandwich?
That one is perfect for a warm day outside. Nice cool bites in a lounge chair. Now for when you feel like a little cooking and warmth then the Baked Falafel Sandwich is for you!
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Baked Falafel Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - for the baking sheet
- 15 ounce garbanzo beans can, drained
- 1/2 cup onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic finely choopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 16 rolls - small rolls of your choice
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 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 almond mayonnaise recipe. Lettuce is perfect on these sandwiches too. Dill pickles on the side are classic.
Nutrition
This time around I did not have time to pre-freeze my patties before placing them in a freezer bag or container.
Instead, I placed one patty on a large piece of saran wrap and folded it over, once, then I placed another on top and folded again and so on (see the photo above).
After you are done wrapping the patties - place them in a freezer bag.
ALTERNATELY:
After they have cooled you may freeze them in any of the methods shown in my article Preparing Food for the Freezer.
They defrost quickly so it really doesn't take any planning. The microwave will also zap them in 30 to 60 seconds.
Ginny McMeans
Sorry Gina! That was an error and I fixed the recipe card. Thanks for the heads up!
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
'Nuff said 🙂
Dannii
I would happily eat falafel all day long. Throw some harissa on this too and even better!
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction
This baked Falafel looks absolutely delicious! I'd love one right now!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Baked falafel's are so much better for you. We love them in our househild
Laura
looks amazing, so healthy
Jillian
Baked falafel - yum!
Kristin
Thanks so much for the quick response!
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
Do you cook the patty first and then freeze it?
Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto
Love the fried falafel sandwich but definitely agree the baked version is much healthier!!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
I love falafel, but have never tried to make it home. Your sandwich looks delicious!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
I looooove falafel! This baked sandwich version sounds delicious!
cristina
Healthful alternative to frying, will need to try as I don't think I've ever had the pleasure of a falafel, yet! 😉
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
Gorgeous fresh flavors here! I recently made some deviled eggs flavored with falafel-spices. Love it!
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!
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!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
I love the word falafel. Now I need to try your recipe. It looks like such a delicious sandwich.
Annie @ Annie's Noms
I love homemade falafel! Love that this is baked, means I won't feel guilty eating it!
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Would you believe I've never tried falafel? Now I absolutely have to!
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!
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.
Tricia
I was wondering if you bake them before you freeze or after. I have never had falafel and cannot wait to try these!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
I love a good and crispy falafel sandwich! I can't wait to try baking it next time.
Nancy | The Bitter Side of Sweet
I have never had falafel before but it looks so good!!
Ginny McMeans
I am so glad you found this Ashley! Hope you get to make them soon. 🙂
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
I love falafel! Love this baked version!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
Falaf is one of those things I have always wanted to try at home! Thank you for this recipe! Looks great.
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. 🙂
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
Oh, Thank you so much. That makes me happy and you are a very nice co-worker. 🙂
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
That is great! The cucumber sauce sounds like a really good idea and thanks so much for trying my recipe. It means a lot.
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.