Forget deep-fried, these Oil-Free Falafels have all the flavor without the fat. Delicious topped with Smoky Tahini Sauce! Vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free.
Can oil-free falafels be just as delicious as traditional deep-fried falafels?
I vote yes!
I love falafels. The flavors are like a party for your tastebuds. The first time I tried falafels I was enchanted by the mix of spices and herbs.
Traditionally, falafels are deep fried. Tasty, but heavy. Also, I feel the heaviness of the deep frying takes away from some of the more nuanced flavors in falafels.
Falafels are also traditionally served with tahini sauce, which is rich in its own right. So pairing with a deep-fried patty is too much in my opinion.
That’s why I developed these oil-free falafels for my Let Them Eat Vegan cookbook quite a few years ago. They are exceptionally flavorful, and can be pan-fried or baked (though I prefer pan-frying).
What puts these oil-free falafels over the top? The Smoky Tahini Sauce!
Most tahini sauces are fairly neutral with a lemony note. I add smoked paprika to this sauce and it’s positively divine!
Unlike traditional falafels, these oil-free falafels are also gluten-free. I use rolled oats instead of breadcrumbs for firmness. At first I wasn’t sure if the oats would work with the spicy mixture, but I was so pleased when I added them. I think they allow the flavors of the beans and herbs and spices to shine through rather than tasting very ‘bread-y”.
Try serving these falafels in pita shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and chopped cucumber along with the tahini sauce. Or, make a salad bowl, topping the aforementioned veggies (and more if you like) with the oil-free falafels and a good drizzle of the tahini sauce. For guests, up the ante by making a falafel platter, including Quinoa Tabbouleh with Olives (shown in photo, also from LTEV), and roasted potatoes. Heavenly!
If you are uncertain about tahini and brands that taste good, jump over to this post and then this one. Then, get cooking! Hope you enjoy…
x Dreena
Oil-Free Falafels
Ingredients
falafels
- 2 14 / 15 oz cans chickpeas rinsed and drained (see note)
- 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves packed (not chopped, just torn from stems)
- 1/2 – 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, packed
- 1/2 cup green onions chopped (mostly white but some green portion)
- 1/4 cup celery chopped
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 2-3 medium-large cloves garlic use 3 large if you love a garlicky kick
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp rounded freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes I use 1/4; use more if you like things spicy
- 3/4 – 1 cup rolled oats use certified gf oats for gluten-free option; see note
- 1/3 cup millet chickpea, or other flour (for dusting patties), seasoned with a couple pinches sea salt
sauce
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ – 2/3 cup water or more for a thinner sauce, if desired
- 1/4 tsp lightly rounded smoked paprika (see note)
- ¼ tsp rounded sea salt (about 1/4 + 1/8 tsp)
- 3/4 – 1 1/4 tsp pure maple syrup or agave nectar or more to taste, see note
Instructions
Falafel Patties
- *Chickpea Note: If using chickpeas you’ve cooked yourself from dry, they can sometimes have less moisture and therefore make the blended mix too dry. If it is not coming together before adding the oats, is too crumbly, add a smidgen of water – a teaspoon at a time until it just comes together. With canned chickpeas, you should not need to add extra water.
- In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, celery, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, and spices, and process until the mixture is well incorporated and starting to smooth out, scraping scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then add the oats and pulse a few times to work them in. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes if possible (refrigerating will make it firmer and easier to shape).
- Take small scoops of the mixture, 11⁄2 to 2 tablespoons (using a cookie scoop is helpful, but you can use your hands, rinsing when needed to keep the mixture from sticking to your palms) and form into balls. Once finished, place the seasoned millet flour in a bowl. Add the falafel balls to the bowl and lightly toss, then toss a moment in your hand to remove any excess clumping of flour.
- Prepare a nonstick skillet over medium or medium-high heat (prepare surface with spray/wipe of oil, or use a good non-stick). Place the falafel balls in the pan, flattening them slightly with a spatula, and cook for 6 to 9 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crisped on the outside, working in batches, if needed. Serve. Makes 20-24 patties.
Tahini Sauce
- Using a standing blender or an immersion blender and deep cup or jar, puree all the ingredients (starting with 1⁄2 cup of the water, 1⁄4 teaspoon of the paprika, and 3⁄4 teaspoon of the agave) until smooth. Add additional paprika and salt to taste; maple syrup to balance any bitterness, if needed; and water to thin, as desired.
Notes
- Chickpea Note: If using chickpeas you’ve cooked yourself from dry, they can sometimes have less moisture and therefore make the blended mix too dry. If it is not coming together before adding the oats, is too crumbly, add a smidgen of water – a teaspoon at a time until it just comes together. With canned chickpeas, you should not need to add extra water.
- Ingredients 411: I like these falafels soft and tender. Feel free to add another 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 cup of oats (and another pinch of salt) to make a little firmer. Serving Suggestions: Serve in pita with fixings, or on their own drizzled with tahini sauce (try Smoky Spiked Tahini Sauce or Peanut Tahini Sauce). Up the ante by making a falafel platter, including Quinoa Tabbouleh with Olives (shown in photo, also from LTEV), and roasted potatoes!
- Ingredients 411: I like the amount of smoked paprika at just a lightly rounded 1⁄4 teaspoon, but you can try adding more if you love the flavor. Try 1⁄2 teaspoon and see how it works for you.
- I always like a touch of sweetener in tahini sauce to offset the slight bitterness of the tahini. The amount you use depends on personal preference and also the brand of tahini used. Start with 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 teaspoon, and add more if needed.
- Serving Suggestions: This sauce is an absolute must as part of a falafel dinner platter. Serve alongside Panfried Falafel Patties, Quinoa Tabbouleh with Olives, and whole-grain pita bread. So satisfying and delicious! This sauce will also add a punch of flavor to wrap sandwiches and roasted vegetables.
Cindy says
I’m ready to make these but I’m wondering about the amount of chickpeas if not using canned… I know the can weights, but that’s including water, I believe… Does anyone know the cup measurement? Thanks!
Dreena says
Hi Cindy, a 14 oz can of chickpeas is (roughly) 1 3/4 cans of chickpeas. Hope that helps.
Mary Walsh says
I loved these! I made a batch and pan fried half and baked the other half. My guests loved both but preferred the
baked (which surprised me).
I’ll make them again soon.
Thank you.
Dreena says
So happy to read that, thanks Mary!
Debra says
Wondering what the instructions are for baking?
Larry P. says
Hi Dreena, my wife made these tonight and they were delicious. We had baba ganoush so didn’t make the tahini sauce. They were a little crumbly. Any suggestions for next time?
Dreena says
Hi Larry, sorry for the very late reply. Were you using chickpeas cooked from dry? I do find they can be drier than canned. So, if using those, try adding 1/2 – 1 tbsp tahini with a touch of water to the puree. I’d start with 1-2 tsp water, then adjust as needed. Hope that helps!
Maureen says
I loved these! they have so much flavor that they do not need the fried outer layer. Note on the tahini sauce: mine had too strong of a tahini flavor the first night, but the after 1 day was fabulous. Not sure if that is because of the brand of tahini or my personal taste. Aside note – i think i am into our fourth year of Sniffle Soup on a weekly basis. Either the kids think so low of my cooking, or it hits right for kids.!
SherryinChicago says
These look yummy and I can’t wait to try them. I am guessing I can freeze these, would you recommend after I bake/pan fry then just defrost & reheat? I cook for one or two, so and entire recipe is too much for us but I love having something like this in the freezer.
Dreena says
Thanks Sherry! Yes, you can definitely freeze them. I do so by shaping into patties, then layering in an airtight container, separated by slips of parchment paper. Don’t cook first, just shape and layer in. Cover and freeze. Then thaw to cook. Hope that helps!
Janelle says
I am really loving your recipes. Traditional falafel (which I used to make often) is 1/2 chickpeas and 1/2 fava beans, the addition of onion and green pepper processed in the food processor help keep these nice and moist. Thanks again for all the great recipes and ideas!
Colette says
These are amazing. Will be making some for dinner tonight 🙂 thanks your recipes are always spot on
D'Anna says
Made these tonight. OMG! AMAZING! Thanks so much for posting. Ran out of Tahini so subbed in unsalted almond butter. Worked like a charm! xox
Dreena says
AWESOME! So glad to hear it, D’Anna! Good idea subbing unsalted almond butter too! 🙂
Jane says
Oh. My. Goodness! i have just made (and eaten) the pan-fried falafel with smoky tahini sauce and me and my 11 year old daughter can hardly believe how utterly divine they are!!
I oven baked them and Served with curly kale stir-fried with ginger, and potato and celeriac mash.
I arrived here via Hannah’s Bittersweet blog by the way.
I have ordered LTEV, but have a question – are the other recipes above in the book or were they a ‘special’ for winners of your comp? Only i love the sound of all of them too!
Recently i purchased veganomicon but was a little disappointed as there are a lot of recipes with seitan which we all hate in our vegan family. But your book sounds much more the kind of thing we love to eat – veggies and grains done well and with unthought of twists!
Thank you and i look fwd to reading more of your blog and book!
Dreena says
Hi Jane! OH, that is wonderful to read! Thank you. I love the falafels too. 🙂 I love your idea of serving with a potato/celeriac mash. Celeriac can be really yummy, right?!
Glad you found me via Hannah. The other recipes are new ones, but rest assured there are MANY recipes in LTEV. It’s a pretty big book, and you’ll find so much to enjoy. And, the new recipes, I’m trying to figure out what to do with them myself, whether an ebook or a new project… just have to figure that out. I might be posting one or more as well in time.
And, there is no seitan in my book, as it is a complete wheat-free/gluten-free book. Also, seitan has never been my area of expertise, I just don’t enjoy working with it, so I took a pass long ago. So, you’ll find lots of beans/grain/nut/veg combos in the book.
Thanks for your e-mail too, my web gal is unavailable right now but we’ll sort it when she returns. Thanks!
Brittany says
Ohhhh I haven’t tried the Pan-Fried Falafels yet – definitely need to do that soon. They sound delicious. Thank you for the link Dreena. I am already in love with every recipe I’ve made from LTEV! I can’t wait to try more.
Dreena says
Delightful to know! Thanks Brittany. xo
Lisa Jachimiec says
Any thought on a substitute for the oats? These sound amazing but I am also oat intolerant …:( even the ggoner kind….
Dreena says
Lisa, I haven’t tested it with this sub, but you could try quinoa flakes or gf bread crumbs. With quinoa flakes, sometimes the flavor can be bitter if too much, so that’s why I also suggest gf bread crumbs. If there is gf bread you like, whiz it into crumbs – AND, I’d maybe lightly toast them first – will help them absorb more moisture, plus give a little nuttier flavor. That help?
Toni says
I made these tonight and they were incredible! Since I don’t have a food processor to break down the oats, I wanted to sub in a finer flour. I ended up using part millet and part almond flour (I didn’t measure, but I think the total ended up being less than 1 cup). That combination worked great! Actually, as I’m typing this, I’m realizing that I also have oat flour on hand, which probably would have been a good choice as well!
Audrey says
Yum! I am loving these oil-free recipes, Dreena! I’m hoping to have my review of LTEV up soon. I’ve made many recipes and have been really enjoying the book! 🙂
Dreena says
That’s wonderful to hear, thanks Audrey. And, no rush on the review, doesn’t hurt to have them spaced out a little either. thx!
Connie Fletcher says
Your No-Fu Love Loaf got my saliva runnin’…ordered the book right away…..
Dreena says
hee hee! Thanks Connie. 🙂