Lighten up your week with some baked almond crunch falafel bowls served with a super quick, easy and delicious two-second dressing. Instructions for prepping in advance so you can get the week off to a great start.
Baked Almond Crunch Falafel Bowl with Two Second Dressing
Treat your body right with this Baked Almond Crunch Falafel Bowl accompanied by a dressing that seriously takes two seconds. Prepare in advance and enjoy!
I really love big hearty soups and stews around this time of year. Especially on super cold and rainy nights like tonight.
However, after a couple of weeks, I start getting that heavy feeling (not literally, hopefully) and really feel the need to throw a few lighter meals back into the rotation.
Here’s where these falafel bowls come in to play.
They are:
- vegan
- vegetarian
- dairy-free
- gluten-free
- baked, not fried
- kid-friendly
- meal plan and meal prep friendly.
They still count as a warm meal when you serve the falafel hot from the oven, and for me, they are still totally comforting.
But, when paired with some rice and lots of fresh, raw veg, they take on a lighter note, which is a much-appreciated break from the heavier fare.
(for a bit more texture you can use slivered almonds).
Falafels Make Great Snacks and Additions To The Lunch Box
They are also great little snacks to have on hand for rolls, wraps, and sandwiches throughout the week, and therefore make great little meal prep companions - great for those of us trying to make a better effort at meal prepping in the new year.
I tend to pair my falafel with whatever I have on hand in the crisper:
- lettuce
- something crunchy like bell pepper or cucumber
- onion for a bit of bite
- a nice zesty dressing to really kick up the flavor.
The Secret Sauce To Make This Falafel Bowl POP!
I always love a good tahini-based dressing, but for this particular bowl, I use my sneaky no-fuss two-second sauce because it is quick but still really yummy.
Are you ready?
- Hummus
- Lemon Juice
- Water
That's it.
I use it in so many salads and wraps, and it is seriously delicious and takes no time at all.
Try this Baked Almond Falafel Crunch Bowl and lighten up your weeknight meals in a delicious and filling way.
Make It In The Airfryer
These can also be made in the air fryer if you have one and prefer to cook in it.
Simply spray the prepared balls with a little bit of olive oil or fractionated coconut oil and cook for about 15 minutes at 370-380°F (187-193°C).
When they are crispy they are ready.
Tips For Storing Your Falafels
These can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
They can then be eaten cold, or reheated in the air fryer or microwave if you prefer them to be hot.
Homemade falafels are also great for freezing.
To freeze, arrange the food in a single layer on a baking sheet small enough to fit into the freezer. Pop into the freezer. Remove when frozen and transfer to a freezer-friendly container or Ziploc bag and pop back into the freezer until ready to use.
Try These Salads After You Try The Falafel Salad Bowl
Need some more nutritious bowls to add to your weekly meal plan?
- Cumin Spiced Farro Bowl
- 6 Ingredient Teriyaki Salmon Rice Bowl With Quick Pickled Radish
- Zucchini Cilantro and Lime Udon Noodle Bowl
- Quick Vietnamese Pork and Riced Broccoli Bowl
- Teriyaki Buddha Bowl from Eight Forest Lane
- Black Pudding Nourishing Bowl from Another Food Blogger
Happy Eating
xx
Recipe
Baked Almond Crunch Falafel Bowl with Two Second Dressing
Ingredients
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoon flax meal
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup lightly packed parsley
- 1 cup lightly packed cilantro
- 1 can of chickpeas drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup crushed almonds
- ½ cup plain hummus
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon water
- salt and pepper to taste
- salad ingredients : thinly sliced romaine lettuce arugula, chopped red/white onion, diced tomato, diced cucumber, diced red peppers, cooked brown rice, pick and choose
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with some parchment paper
- Pop all the falafel ingredients (garlic, chilli, cumin, baking soda, flax meal, olive oil, parsley, cilantro and chickpeas), into a food processor and pulse until combined. It should be a thick and chunky paste (you will need to scrape down the sides with a spatula every so often)
- Once combined, move the mixture into a large bowl and fold in the crushed almonds
- Rub a little oil on your hands, and form 2 inch balls with the mixture. Pop them onto the prepared baking sheet and brush the top with a little oil before popping into the oven
- Bake for 25 minutes, until golden on top and a little crunchy
- Whilst the falafels are cooking, arrange your salad bowl and whip up the dressing by whisking together the hummus, lemon, water and salt and pepper to taste. When falafels are done, pop them on top of the salad and drizzle dressing over everything. Enjoy
To Make In The Airfryer
- If you prefer to use an airfryer then simply follow the instructions but instead of baking in the oven cook for about 15 minutes at 370-380°F (187-193°C) in the airfryer. When they are crispy they are ready.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Jana says
Hi Donna
It gives me great joy to tell you that I have nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award!
You deserve it through-and-through. If you would like to qualify, you'll need to answer 11 questions I posed to all the bloggers I nominated in a blog post, and link back to my blog in your post. You can get all the details here: https://janacooks.com/2020/01/17/let-the-sunshine-in/.
Keep cooking and keep writing!
Love, Jana.
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
I love falafel, what a great idea to bake it in the oven and use it in a salad, sounds like a delicious combination!
Donna1 says
Thanks Joy! They work so well baked.
Oana@AdoreFoods says
This is going to be my lunch next week! Such a great idea! Yum
Donna1 says
Oh yay, so happy I could inspire you Oana 🙂
Donna1 says
You have to try falafel again Pam, it is so delicious!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I have been in a salad rut for a while now. I think this is what I need to pull me out of it.
Donna1 says
Oh definitely Kelly, I hope it can help you 🙂
Claudia | Gourmet Project says
this is so Gourmet Lunch. can't wait to fill my lunch bag 🙂
Donna1 says
Haha thanks Claudia 🙂
Nellie says
This sounds so yummy & light! I feel you on the heavy stuff especially because it's still hot in Arizona so this is a nice break from the heavy stuff!
Donna1 says
I can imagine it would be hard to stick to traditional holiday fare while it's still hot! In Australia, we just gave in and had fresh seafood and salads at christmas!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
This would make a wonderful lunch. Perfect for the days when we want to get away from the heavier meals of the holidays. Love the colors.
Donna1 says
Thanks Marisa! That's exactly what inspired me to make it - I needed something light after the Thanksgiving feast 🙂
Platter Talk says
This is a fantastic use of falafels! I love this food and have yet to make it. Your creation looks beautiful and delicious!!
Donna1 says
Oh thank you! You have to get on board with home-made falafels - so good 🙂
LydiaF says
I'm in love with these. It would be so easy to double the batch and freeze some for later. I will be sure to give your dressing a try, too.
Donna1 says
That is exactly what I do Lydia (well I try to, but the second batch never make it to the freezer!). The dressing is seriously delicious, and so so easy!
Carolyn says
I love falafel, but have never thought to make it. always find that I end up with a bit too much hummus when I make it so this looks like a delicious way to use it up.
Donna1 says
Yes, this is a great way to use up leftover hummus!!
Ciao Florentina says
I need this in my life! For no other reason that they are so pretty and it sounds like they taste pretty amazing too ! Yum !
Donna1 says
Haha thank you Florentina! They do taste pretty amazing 🙂
LifeStyleTalks says
This looks so delicious! The crushed almonds give an extra flavour to the chicpeas... As chicpeas don't really have a lot of flavour in my opinion...