Easy Gluten-Free Falafel – (No-Bake + Vegan)
You’ll love this savory gluten-free falafel. Unlike other recipes, this falafel involves no dehydrating, baking or sprouting. Within twenty minutes you can have raw vegan falafel at home that’s healthier than takeout.
Is Falafel Gluten-Free?
Chickpeas don’t contain gluten so traditionally made falafel is gluten-free. Some recipes use wheat flour and other filler ingredients which contain gluten. So if you’re on a strict gluten-free diet you can make this recipe. But when eating out at restaurants always make sure to ask whether or not the falafel is gluten-free. Especially if you have a condition that is made worse by gluten such as celiac, IBS or chronic constipation. Even though this recipe is gluten-free it does contain seeds. So if you have a nut allergy you should not make this!
What are the Ingredients?
Falafel is a traditional middle eastern dish that is fried until golden and crispy. Usually, falafel is made of ground chickpeas, ground fava beans or a combination of both. Onions, garlic, parsley, spices and other herbs are used to add flavor.
I wanted to create a recipe I could make with minimal effort. Frying falafel at home is messy, time consuming (and not the healthiest). Baking falafel is a great alternative to frying, but it still takes a long time to prepare (since you have to wait for it to cook). I’m pretty sure that this is the best falafel recipe that I could come up with since you don’t have to bake it or fry it. It’s tasty and clumps together naturally to form perfect falafel balls.
- Canned Chickpeas
- Pumpkin Seeds (sunflower seeds also work)
- Parsley
- Onion
- Lemon Juice
- Cumin
- Tahini
- Olive Oil (optional)
How to Make Falafel Without Baking
My favorite version of falafel is the one I had at the raw vegan restaurant, Pure Food and Wine in New York City owned by Matthew Kenny (now sadly closed). It was satisfying, light, and didn’t give me a stomach ache like baked and fried falafel did.
Most raw vegan falafel recipes involve over a dozen ingredients and take up to ten hours to make. Because they use a dehydrator. Waiting ten hours to eat my dinner just isn’t an option for me. So I came up with a falafel recipe using canned chickpeas and no dehydrator.
This is the easiest vegan falafel recipe since it saves you time (by using canned chickpeas) without compromising flavor. Here is how to make it:
Step 1: Combine canned chickpeas, onion, parsley, cumin, pumpkin seeds, parsley, lemon juice, tahini in a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it’s smooth. Use an offset spatula to scrape the sides of the food processor in between pulses ensure an even texture. Once the “dough” starts to ball up its done. If the mixture doesn’t stick together, you can drizzle in a little bit of olive oil or water.
Step 2: Take two table spoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Repeat this process until there is no more dough left. This recipe should yield 14 falafel balls.
How to Serve
I like to eat these falafel balls on a salad with chopped cucumbers, peppers and olives. It also tastes great in a collard wrap with hummus and vegan tzatziki sauce like this one from Minimalist Baker. For a heartier version you can use a traditional pita wrap. I love how it’s served in these Buddha Bowls from A Couple Cooks. They go perfectly with my cleansing friendly greek salad recipe. and roasted eggplant dip. This gluten-free falafel would also go well on top of this rainbow salad with green goddess dressing.
Storing Leftovers
These gluten free falafel balls will stay fresh for up to a week in the fridge. I usually eat them all within a matter of days. You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
I love this gluten-free falafel recipe because it’s easy to make, vegan and raw. It works perfectly as apart of gluten-free diet.
Is Hummus Gluten Free?
Hummus is the most popular dip to serve with falafel. But is hummus gluten free? Yes hummus is gluten free! Since the ingredients used to make basic hummus are all naturally gluten free, hummus is generally accepted as a gluten free food.
But… before you get all excited about gluten free hummus there are some things to consider. Even though hummus literally only contains 5 ingredients that are naturally gluten free, it isn’t always gluten free when you buy it in the store.
This could be due to three factors.
- Gluten could be added to the hummus as a thickener.
- The factory where the hummus is made could also be processing foods that contain gluten. In this instance cross contamination is a possibility and companies won’t say that the hummus is gluten free for liability reasons.
- If you aren’t buying classic hummus, the ingredients added into the variation you’re buying could have gluten. They usually don’t but it’s important to check the ingredients.
More Gluten-Free Recipes
- Gluten-Free Bread (4 ingredients)
- Roasted Carrot Hummus with Spanish Spices
- 15 Grain Free-Vegan Recipes for Dinner
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
- Gluten Free Hummus
Gluten-Free Falafel
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 C Pumpkin Seeds raw, if you use salted you wont need to add salt
- 1 C Parsley chopped, leaves only
- 1 C Chickpeas canned
- 4 T Tahini
- 2 Garlic Cloves chopped
- 1 pinch Chili Powder
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 1/2 Lemon juiced
- 1 T Olive Oil optional (to help with blending water works too)
Instructions
- Combine Pumpkin Seeds, Chickpeas, Parsley, Tahini, Garlic, Cumin, Chili Powder in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is broken up.
- Add Lemon Juice and Olive Oil to the mixture and combine until the "dough" starts to ball up. Use an off-set spatula to scrape the sides of the food processor.
Nutrition
No bake gluten-free falafel recipe google web story !
FREE 7 Day Gluten Free Meal Plan
A meal plan designed to jump start whole body healing and support digestive health……
…And get the latest recipes!
Nice Lil recipe..thnx for sharing.i. trying to cut wheat out of my diet boy it’s in almost everything like sugar,another one I’m trying g to eliminate. I have bad arthritis issues and I’m trying hard to help myself..thank you for sharing
Hi Scott! I’m glad you liked the recipe I hope it helps you cut wheat and sugar while satisfying cravings.
Thanks very nice blog!