Falafel Quinoa Salad Bowl (Print Version)

Crispy falafel meets fluffy quinoa with fresh vegetables and creamy tahini drizzle.

# What You'll Need:

→ Baked Falafel

01 - 1.5 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 0.5 cup fresh parsley leaves
03 - 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves
04 - 2 green onions, roughly chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander
08 - 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
10 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
12 - 3 tablespoons chickpea flour
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Quinoa

14 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
15 - 2 cups water
16 - 0.25 teaspoon salt

→ Salad

17 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
18 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
19 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Garlic Tahini Sauce

20 - 0.33 cup tahini
21 - 1 clove garlic, minced
22 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
23 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water, as needed
24 - 0.25 teaspoon salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a food processor, combine chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, green onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and chickpea flour. Pulse until mostly smooth with slightly coarse texture, scraping sides as needed.
03 - Using damp hands, form mixture into 12 balls or patties. Place on prepared baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
04 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
06 - Whisk together tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Add additional water for thinner consistency if desired.
07 - Divide quinoa among 4 serving bowls. Top each with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, green onion, and 3 falafel pieces. Drizzle generously with garlic tahini sauce.
08 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Nutrient-Dense: Packed with plant-based protein and fiber from chickpeas and quinoa.
  • Lighter Choice: Baked falafel offers the classic flavor you love with much less oil.
  • Fresh & Balanced: The combination of warm grains, crisp vegetables, and zesty tahini sauce is perfectly balanced.
02 -
  • Uniform Sizing: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all falafel are the same size for even baking.
  • Damp Hands: Wetting your hands slightly before shaping the mixture prevents the dough from sticking to your skin.
  • Rest the Quinoa: Let the quinoa sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking; this allows the remaining steam to finish the grains for a fluffier texture.
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