Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

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Make your own falafel at home using dried chickpeas – and better yet, make a huge batch and freeze the rest so you always have some ready to use! They are delicious in wraps, pita, on couscous or salad!

Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (1)

These balls of chickpea goodness are awesome!I always make a huge batch of Falafel, because they freeze well and it doesn’t really take that much longer to makemore of them. I love themin wraps, on couscous, in the pide bread, in pita sandwiches or in curries… so good!

Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (2)


These falafel are not only vegan but also gluten-free! Chickpeas are rich in protein and iron and because they aren’t fried like you would get them at restaurants, these could be consideredas healthy (or at least healthier)! For these Falafel, I used dried chickpeas, but if you prefer using canned chickpeas, I’ve got a version you’ll love here.

How to make Falafel…

Making Falafel is super easy! As always, you can find the full recipe (ingredients + instructions) in the box at the end of the post.

Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (3)
Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (4)
Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (5)
Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (6)
Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (7)
Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (8)
Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (9)

Serve the Falafel…

  • in a wrap e.g. salad,hummus, and tomatoes inthick fluffy tortillas
  • with couscous:Simple Onion CouscousorMediterraneanCouscous
  • in a burger:Falafel Burgerwith avocado sauce
  • on a leafy green salad with soy yogurt sauce or tahini dressing!

Falafel FAQ

Are Falafel healthy?

I wouldn’t consider the falafel you can buy in restaurants healthy because they are usually fried. These Falafel, however, are baked in the oven and therefore a much healthier option!

Can I freeze Falafel?

Yes, especially these ones are super freezer friendly. Bake them, then let them cool off completely, transfer them into a ziplock bag and freeze up to 3 months. For reheating, you can pop them in the microwave, bake them in the oven, pan-fry or add them to a Falafel Curry (it’s my favorite way to use frozen falafel because it makes them super soft again).

Can I use canned chickpeas for Falafel?

Absolutely! If you don’t want to use dried chickpeas, you can use canned chickpeas. But it’s best to use this recipe for Spinach Falafel and simply leave out the spinach.

More Falafel Recipes

  • 25+ Vegan Falafel Recipes for Chickpea Lovers
  • Spinach Falafel with canned chickpeas
  • Falafel Burger
  • Green Falafel with collard greens
  • Oil-Free Oven-Baked Falafel with Cilantro
  • Falafel Curry
  • Falafel Wrap

I hope you enjoy these falafel as much as I do! Let me know if you give them a try!

If you don’t wantto miss out on any new recipes,subscribe to my newsletter, follow me onInstagramandFacebook!

Cheers, Bianca

Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (11)

Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (12)

Huge Batch of Oven-Baked Falafel Balls (Freezer-Friendly!)

Bianca Haun |Elephantastic Vegan

These vegan Falafel are oven-baked and freezer-friendly. Perfect for salads, pitas, wraps, etc!

3.98 from 68 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Soaking Time 10 hours hrs

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Basics, Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean, Vegan

Servings 45 Falafel

Calories 59 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups dried chickpeas
  • 2 onions
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 bunch fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2/3 cup besan/chickpea flour (+ more if the mixture doesn’t stick together)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (+ more if the mixture doesn’t stick together)
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil

Instructions

  • Put the dry chickpeas in a large bowl, cover with enough water (the chickpeas will double in size!) and let them sit covered overnight.

  • Peel the onions and garlic cloves. Put them in a food processor and chop.In a pan with a teaspoon of canola oil, add the chopped onions, garlic, and cumin and let it cook on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes or until they start to brown.

  • Drain and rinse the chickpeas and then work in batches by adding the first batch into the food processor and chop until the pieces are really small (you don’t want to make hummus). In one batch add in the parsley to chop it as well. Repeat until you’ve used up all the chickpeas. Transfer everything to a huge bowl.

  • Add the lemon juice, cayenne pepper, salt, ground pepper, baking powder, and the onions and garlic. Mix well.

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.

  • Add in the chickpea flour and olive oil. Mix the chickpea mixture well and form little balls. If the dough does not stick together enough, add more chickpea flour and oil.

  • Put the falafel on a baking tray and bake them in the oven for about 25 minutes or until they turn golden.

  • You can eat the falafel like that or put them in a pan with a little oil for reheating when you need them. They freeze very well, so you will have a nice stash of homemade falafel in your freezer, which is super convenient!

Notes

Are Falafel healthy?

I wouldn’t consider the falafel you can buy in restaurants healthy because they are usually fried. These Falafel, however, are baked in the oven and therefore a much healthier option!

Can I freeze Falafel?

Yes, especially these ones are super freezer friendly. Bake them, then let them cool off completely, transfer them into a ziplock bag and freeze up to 3 months. For reheating, you can pop them in the microwave, bake them in the oven, pan-fry or add them to a Falafel Curry (it’s my favorite way to use frozen falafel because it makes them super soft again).

Can I use canned chickpeas for Falafel?

Absolutely! If you don’t want to use dried chickpeas, you can use canned chickpeas. But it’s best to use this recipe for Spinach Falafel and simply leave out the spinach.

Nutrition

Calories: 59kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSodium: 108mgPotassium: 132mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.9mg

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Oven-Baked Falafel Balls Recipe (Freezer-Friendly!) | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to freeze falafel cooked or uncooked? ›

HOW TO FREEZE. You can freeze the falafel pre- or post-frying. Either way, you'll need to arrange them on a baking tray in a single layer, freeze until solid, then pack into food bags and label.

How long to put frozen falafel in oven? ›

After removing the Falafel from the freezer, heat it in the oven on 425 for 10-12 minutes, with an option to broil for 3-5 minutes for an extra crunch.

Is baked falafel good for you? ›

Health benefits may include weight management, heart health support, and management of anemia. Baking falafel instead of frying can reduce fat content and make it healthier. Some downsides may include potential allergies and sodium content concerns.

Why can't I use canned chickpeas for falafel? ›

Turns out that dried chickpeas are essential to good falafel. See, canned chickpeas have already been cooked. Starch molecules within them have already burst and released their sticky contents, much of which get washed away in the cooking liquid, leaving the remaining chickpeas with very little clinging power.

How do you freeze falafel balls? ›

Cook falafel according to recipe instructions. You can shape them into balls or patties―either will freeze well. Allow cooling to room temperature. Place on a cookie sheet and allow to freeze for about an hour.

How do you bake frozen uncooked falafel? ›

Place Frozen In Single Layer On Ungreased Baking Sheet And Bake For 14 To 16 Minutes. Microwave: Arrange 4 To 6 Frozen Falafel Balls On Microwave Safe Plate. Microwave On High For 2 Minutes.

Do falafels freeze well? ›

These Falafel, however, are baked in the oven and therefore a much healthier option! Can I freeze Falafel? Yes, especially these ones are super freezer friendly. Bake them, then let them cool off completely, transfer them into a ziplock bag and freeze up to 3 months.

Does anyone make frozen falafel? ›

Trader Joe's Fully Cooked Falafel and Falafel Mix

Save the frozen option for when you need a quick meal and use the mix for when you have a bit more time on your hands. Either way, you won't want to miss out on these tasty chickpea products.

How do you defrost frozen falafel? ›

Defrost thoroughly in fridge for 10 hours before use. Ready to eat once defrosted but for best results heat up after defrost.

Can you eat too many falafels? ›

It's a good source of fiber, an amazing source of proteins, and chickpea fiber; it helps manage blood sugar levels by slowing down carbohydrate absorption. Too much falafel can never be bad for your health, conditional to the fact that you're not deep-frying it every time.

Is falafel good for gut health? ›

Falafel's Nutritional Profile

Zozos says that the health benefits of falafel are plenty. It tends to be relatively low in cholesterol, low on the glycemic index scale, and high in protein. Also, it's full of complex carbs and fiber, which are good for a healthy gut and regular bowel movements, adds Zozos.

Can diabetics eat falafel? ›

Falafel has a good amount of micronutrients plus it is a good source of protein and fiber. This helps in curbing one's appetite, lowers one's risk of chronic disease, and supports healthy blood sugar. All these qualities put Falafel in the diabetes-friendly category.

What is the jelly in canned chickpeas? ›

What Is It? Aquafaba is the thick liquid that results from soaking or cooking legumes, such as chickpeas, in water for an extended period of time. It's the translucent viscous goop you probably rinse down the drain when you open a can of chickpeas.

Why some people can't eat chickpeas? ›

Some people may find themselves allergic or intolerant to these legumes. Chickpeas contain proteins, similar forms of which are found in soy beans, which may trigger an immune response from the body. For those with allergies, visible and common reactions include: Skin reactions such as eczema and hives.

How do you freeze and reheat falafel? ›

Bake them, then let them cool off completely, transfer them into a ziplock bag and freeze up to 3 months. For reheating, you can pop them in the microwave, bake them in the oven, pan-fry or add them to a Falafel Curry (it's my favorite way to use frozen falafel because it makes them super soft again).

How long will cooked falafel keep in the fridge? ›

How to store falafel. The raw minced mixture is sometimes allowed to rest to integrate the flavours and textures, ideally refrigerated. Use the uncooked mixture within a day: cooked, refrigerated falafel should be eaten within three days.

Can you store uncooked falafel? ›

Homemade falafel, both cooked and uncooked, is perishable and should always be stored in the refrigerator within two hours of both preparing and cooking. Store both unused falafel mix and cooked falafel in the refrigerator, covered, for up to four days.

Can you freeze bought falafel? ›

I find it easier to fry from frozen as they are less likely to fall apart.

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