Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Waffled Falafel is a fun, crispy twist on the traditional falafel, and it’s perfect for a quick and healthy meal. Instead of frying, the falafel mixture is cooked in a waffle iron, giving you golden, crisped edges without the mess of deep frying. This version is packed with the bold flavors of chickpeas, cumin, coriander, and garlic, while the addition of fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley adds a delightful freshness. Serve with a side of hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley for a light and satisfying meal that’s both unique and delicious.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Cooking spray
- 2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 large egg whites
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves roasted garlic, or more to taste
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 ¾ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch ground cardamom
Directions
- Preheat a waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly spray the inside with cooking spray.
- In a food processor, process the garbanzo beans until coarsely chopped. Add the chopped onion, egg whites, cilantro, parsley, garlic, flour, cumin, salt, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cardamom. Pulse the mixture, scraping down the sides occasionally, until the falafel batter resembles a coarse meal. Pour the batter into a bowl and stir with a fork.
- Spoon about ¼ cup of the falafel batter onto each section of the preheated waffle iron. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until evenly browned and crispy. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Keep the cooked falafel waffles warm in a low oven until all are done.
- Serve with hummus, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley for a complete meal.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
- Vegan Option: To make this recipe fully vegan, substitute the egg whites with a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water = 1 egg).
- Add Veggies: For extra crunch and flavor, try adding shredded carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers to the falafel mixture.
- Spicy Twist: Add more cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño for a spicy kick in the batter.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with chickpea flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
- Toppings: Serve with tzatziki sauce, tahini, or a yogurt-based dip for extra flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover falafel waffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the falafel waffles in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes to crisp them back up.
FAQs
Can I make the falafel ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the batter ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. This will also help the flavors meld together better.
Can I fry the falafel instead of using a waffle iron?
Yes, you can fry the falafel in oil. Heat oil in a deep skillet or pan and fry spoonfuls of the falafel mixture for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy.
Can I freeze the falafel?
Yes, after cooking, allow the falafel waffles to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven to restore the crispiness.
What can I serve with waffled falafel?
Serve with traditional sides like hummus, fresh veggies (cucumbers, tomatoes), a side of olives, or a simple salad with a tahini dressing. You can also wrap them in pita bread for a sandwich-style meal.
How do I make the falafel crispier?
To get even crispier falafel waffles, make sure the batter isn’t too wet. If it seems too moist, add a little extra flour to help it hold together better.
How do I store the falafel batter?
Store the falafel batter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before cooking.
Can I make these falafel gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with chickpea flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried chickpeas. Soak them overnight and cook until tender before processing them into the falafel mixture.
How do I know when the falafel is done cooking?
The falafel waffles are done when they are golden brown on the outside and crispy. The waffle iron will give a little resistance when you open it to remove the falafel, which indicates they’re crispy on the outside.
Conclusion
Waffled Falafel is a unique and fun twist on a classic Middle Eastern dish that delivers all the flavor and crunch of traditional falafel with the added convenience of the waffle iron. Perfect for a quick dinner or a fun meal to share with family and friends, this recipe offers versatility, flavor, and a satisfying crunch. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy a modern take on a beloved classic!
Waffled Falafel
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Waffled Falafel is a crispy twist on the traditional falafel, cooked in a waffle iron for a quick and healthy meal. Packed with the bold flavors of chickpeas, cumin, coriander, and garlic, and fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley, these falafel waffles are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Serve with hummus, tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley for a complete, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large egg whites
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves roasted garlic, or more to taste
1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 ¾ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pinch ground cardamom
Instructions
- Preheat the waffle iron according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
- In a food processor, process the garbanzo beans until coarsely chopped. Add chopped onion, egg whites, cilantro, parsley, garlic, flour, cumin, salt, coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cardamom. Pulse the mixture until it resembles a coarse meal, scraping down the sides occasionally. Stir the batter with a fork.
- Spoon about ¼ cup of falafel batter onto each section of the preheated waffle iron. Cook for about 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Repeat with the remaining batter.
- Keep cooked falafel waffles warm in a low oven until all are done.
- Serve with hummus, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley for a complete meal.
Notes
For a vegan option, substitute egg whites with a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg).
Add veggies like shredded carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers for extra crunch.
Spice it up with more cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeño for a spicy twist.
For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with chickpea flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
Serve with tzatziki sauce, tahini, or yogurt-based dip for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Waffle iron
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 falafel waffle
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
