Middle Eastern Vegan Falafel Platter: Crispy & Tasty
This Middle Eastern Vegan Falafel Platter features crispy and tasty falafel made from chickpeas, onions, garlic, and a blend of spices. Served with warm pita bread, fresh vegetables, pickled veggies, and a creamy tahini sauce, this platter is perfect for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the Falafel:
- Chickpeas: 2 cups dried (soaked overnight) or 3 cans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed
- Onion: 1 large, roughly chopped
- Garlic Cloves: 4, minced
- Fresh Parsley: 1 cup, tightly packed
- Fresh Cilantro: 1 cup, tightly packed
- Ground Cumin: 2 teaspoons
- Ground Coriander: 2 teaspoons
- Ground Black Pepper: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon
- All-Purpose Flour or Chickpea Flour: 2 tablespoons (for binding)
- Vegetable Oil: For frying or brushing if baking
For the Tahini Sauce:
-
- Tahini: 1/2 cup
- Lemon Juice: 3 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
- Garlic Cloves: 2, minced
- Water: 1/4 cup (adjust for desired consistency)
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
- Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar: 1 teaspoon (optional for sweetness)
For the Platter:
-
- Pita Bread or Flatbread: 6-8 pieces, warmed
- Fresh Vegetables: Such as sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and thinly sliced red onions
- Pickled Vegetables: Like pickled cucumbers or turnips
- Hummus: Optional, for additional dipping
- Fresh Herbs: Such as parsley or cilantro, for garnish
- Lemon Wedges: For serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Falafel: In a food processor, blend chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, spices, salt, baking powder, and flour until a coarse mixture forms. Shape into balls and fry or bake until crispy.
- Make the Tahini Sauce: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic, water, salt, and optional sweetener until smooth.
- Assemble the Platter: Serve falafel with warm bread, fresh and pickled veggies, tahini sauce, hummus, herbs, and lemon wedges.
Notes
- You can customize the platter with your favorite veggies and sauces.
- Falafel can also be baked for a healthier option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 platter
- Calories: Approximately 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Middle Eastern, Vegan, Falafel, Tahini Sauce, Platter, Chickpeas