Falafel Quinoa Salad Bowl (Printable Version)

Crispy baked falafel over fluffy quinoa with fresh vegetables and creamy garlic tahini sauce. A wholesome Middle Eastern-inspired vegetarian bowl.

# 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 fresh 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 fresh lemon juice
23 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water
24 - 0.25 teaspoon salt

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a food processor, combine chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, green onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and chickpea flour. Pulse until mostly smooth with slight coarseness, scraping sides as needed.
03 - Using damp hands, form falafel 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 rinsed quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a 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, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Add additional water as needed for desired consistency.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa among 4 bowls. Top each with diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, and 3 falafel pieces. Drizzle generously with garlic tahini sauce.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It is a balanced, plant-based meal rich in protein and fiber.
  • Baking the falafel makes them lighter and healthier while maintaining a crisp exterior.
  • The creamy garlic tahini sauce adds a zesty, rich finish that perfectly complements the fresh vegetables.
02 -
  • Dampening your hands while shaping the falafel prevents the mixture from sticking and ensures smooth, even patties.
  • Always rinse your quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating.
  • Be sure to check your canned chickpeas and tahini for specific allergen or cross-contamination information if you have dietary sensitivities.
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