Gluten and Soy Free Recipes for Endometriosis and Ovarian Cysts

Fried Falafel Sandwich with Garlic-Lemon Sauce

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This crispy Fried Falafel Sandwich is quicker to make than the traditional falafel recipe! Thanks to my secret drying method, you will have that crumbly texture in a fraction of the time! Topped with homemade Garlic Lemon Cream Sauce makes for an even flavorful sandwich!

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fried falafel sandwich on a bun cut in half topped with sauce on a black plate
open face fried falafel sandwich topped with onion, tomatoes and sauce on a plate

Fried falafel is a natural plant-based dish, and with some little tweaks, it’s easily made vegan. With my secret drying method, you can get a very similar taste of fried falafel without having to grind dried chickpeas! 

Let me show you how it’s done, but first, you might be wondering….

…WHAT IS FALAFEL?

Falafel (say that five times fast I dare you lol), is popular street food in the Middle East. It’s widely believed to be a dish invented in Egypt about 1,000 years ago. 

Falafel is deep-fried balls traditionally made from ground dried chickpeas. It’s seasoned with traditional Middle Eastern spices like cumin and coriander.  

CAN VS DRIED CHICKPEAS (GARBANZO BEANS)

Traditionally this dish is made with unboiled, soaked dried chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) and then ground with a coffee grinder until it forms a crumbly mixture.  

To make this fried falafel recipe quicker, I used canned chickpeas. Canned beans, in general, are something most of us have in our cabinet, and it is super convenient.

So how will you get the same texture using canned beans? My secret method is to bake the chickpeas in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes at 350 F to dry them out. That helps tremendously with the consistency. 

IS A FRIED FALAFEL SANDWICH HEALTHY?

I would never suggest that fried food is healthy, BUT it’s a healthier option than other fried foods. Chickpeas are a great source of fiber, plant-based protein, as well as complex carbohydrates. 

To make this healthier, you can always try air frying it. I have not tested this method with this recipe, but I have air-fried Crispy Cauliflower Steaks and it was crispy and delicious!

You can also bake your falafels. I did this in the original version of this recipe, and it’s delicious tho it won’t be as crispy.

Also, it can be made healthy, depending on how you serve it. For this fried falafel sandwich, I topped it with my Garlic Lemon Sauce which is made with a based of healthy creamy cashews! 

HOW TO MAKE FRIED FALAFEL SANDWICH

1. Bake the Canned Chickpeas

  • Bake canned chickpeas at 375 degrees F for 15 – 20 minutes. This process helps dry the chickpeas a little to avoid super soggy falafel.
  • Place onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro in the food processor and process until the onion is finely chopped.
  • Add chickpeas and process until the chickpeas are small grains.
  • Add the seasonings and process.
  • canned chickpeas spread out on a baking sheet
    1
  • onions, garlic, parsley, and cilantro in a food processor being chopped
    2
  • chickpeas being added to food processor with chopped onions, garlic, and parsley
    3
  • seasonings being added to food processor
    4

2. Form the Patties & Pan Fry

  • Use a ½ cup measuring cup to form patties. You can oil the measuring cup to help with sticking.
  • Pan-fry both sides until brown.
  • This is what the inside should look like.
  • mashed chickpeas in a measuring cup
    5
  • chickpea falafel patties being fried in a oiled pan
    6
  • one cut opened falafel patty held in hand to show inside textured
    7

3. Make the Sauce

  • Blend cashews, onion garlic, lemon juice, water, and salt until smooth.
  • Add cilantro and green onion. Pulse for a few seconds until specs of green are throughout the sauce.
  • This is what the sauce should look like.
  • cashews and onion in a blender
    8
  • cilantro being added to the blender
    9
  • cashew sauce in a blender with a spoon
    10

Assemble the cooked falafel patties on buns with sauce and desired toppings and serve!

HEALTH BENEFITS:

As mentioned above, chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are complex carbohydrates meaning that your body slowly digests these carbs over time preventing highs and lows from energy spikes you get with simple sugars. 

Chickpeas are also a great source of plant-based protein. One cup of chickpeas contains about 15 grams per protein PLUS you get the added benefit of fiber! 

***NOTE: This blog is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.  All information contained in this blog is the opinion of Monique and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.

fried falafel paties on top of a salad with sauce drizzled on top

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fried falafel sandwich on a bun cut in half topped with sauce on a black plate

Fried Falafel Sandwich with Garlic-Lemon Sauce

Print
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Keyword falafel using canned chickpeas, fried falafel, fried falafel sandwich
Prep Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings 4 sandwiches
Calories 443 kcal
Author Daytime Vegan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups garbanzo beans or chickpeas
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup parsley
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic or garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chickpea flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, more if necessary
  • burger buns
  • lettuce
  • 2 tomatoes , sliced
  • 1 onion , sliced

Garlic Lemon Sauce

  • 1 cup cashews
  • ¼ cup red onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup water
  • salt to taste
  • 1 sprig green onion
  • 1/4 cup cilantro

Instructions

Falafel

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly oil a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

  2. To make the patties, place the canned chickpeas on a baking sheet and bake for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

  3. Place the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, baking powder, and seasonings in a food processor of process until everything is chopped small.

  4. Add the chickpeas and process until the chickpeas are finely chopped.

  5. Add the chickpea flour and pulse a few times until it is thoroughly mixed

  6. Use a 1/2 cup measuring cup to make the patties. Place a pan on medium heat. One hot, pan fry the patties until they are golden brown on each side (about 3-5 minutes per side).

  7. Assemble the sandwiches with the falafel patties, toppings, and lemon garlic sauce.

Lemon Garlic Sauce

  1. Blend the first 6 ingredients until smooth.

  2. Add the green onion and cilantro and pulse until specs of green are throughout the sauce.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

If you use dried chickpeas, then skip the oven drying step.

Nutrition Facts
Fried Falafel Sandwich with Garlic-Lemon Sauce
Amount Per Serving (1 sandwich)
Calories 443 Calories from Fat 216
% Daily Value*
Fat 24g37%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Sodium 29mg1%
Potassium 899mg26%
Carbohydrates 46g15%
Fiber 10g42%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 16g32%
Vitamin A 1522IU30%
Vitamin C 27mg33%
Calcium 141mg14%
Iron 6mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
 

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Filed Under: Dinner

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Chef Monique Starks Daytime Vegan

 

My name is Monique and welcome to Daytime Vegan! I am a chef & health mentor. I create delicious global inspired vegan recipes to encourage you to eat more plant-based foods, even if you’re not 100% vegan!

I started this lifestyle in order to heal my disease, Endometriosis, and my Ovarian Cysts.
Adding more whole plant foods to my diet, & decreasing the amount of meat & processed foods I consume, was the best decision I could have made for my health. Daytime Vegan focuses on nutrition, not calories. Consuming mostly Whole Plant Foods on a daily basis is key to good health.

Learn more in the ABOUT Section.

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