Craving a taste of the Middle East from your own kitchen? This easy falafel dinner with creamy tahini is your answer.
Packed with warm spices and fresh herbs, these falafels are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Paired with a rich tahini sauce, they make a delightful meal that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare.
Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together, this recipe brings a burst of flavor to your table with minimal effort.
Steps
- Begin by spreading 3 to 4 tablespoons of hummus on one side of a shallow dinner bowl. You can use classic hummus or try variations like roasted red pepper or avocado hummus.
- Add a fresh salad of your choice, such as tabouli, fattoush, or any green salad with a light olive oil dressing. This will complement the flavors of the falafel and hummus.
- Place 3 to 4 falafel patties into the bowl. You can make these falafels ahead using a homemade recipe or purchase them from a trusted Middle Eastern restaurant.
- Fill the remaining space in the bowl with sliced fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and red onions. Add a handful of pitted kalamata olives and pickled cucumbers for a briny touch.
- Add slices of feta cheese and drizzle the entire bowl with extra virgin olive oil. Optionally, sprinkle some sumac or Aleppo-style pepper for an extra burst of flavor.
- For meal prep, prepare the falafel patties in advance and freeze them to cook later. Keep pre-sliced vegetables and salad in airtight containers in the fridge for easy assembly.
- Consider variations by using different vegetables, swapping hummus for another dip, or adding grains like bulgur or rice. Adjust ingredients based on what you have available for a personalized bowl.
Ingredients
- Hummus, homemade or store-bought (alternatives mentioned in the notes)
- Tabouli salad
- 16 Falafel patties, prepared ahead or store-bought from your favorite Middle Eastern restaurant
- 2 Medium vine-ripe tomatoes, halved and sliced
- 1 English cucumber, halved and sliced
- 6 Radishes, halved and sliced
- 1/2 Medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces Feta cheese, sliced
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Sumac, optional for seasoning
FAQ
- What are falafels made of?
- Falafels are crispy vegetarian patties typically made from chickpeas or fava beans, mixed with a variety of fresh herbs and spices.
- How can I make a falafel bowl at home?
- To create a falafel bowl, start with a base of hummus, add a salad like tabouli or fattoush, include olives and pickles for flavor, add fresh vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers, and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and seasoning.
- Can I prepare falafel bowls ahead of time?
- Yes, you can prepare the falafel mixture in advance, form patties, and freeze them. Vegetables and dips can also be prepped and stored in the refrigerator in separate containers for several days.
- What are some variations for a falafel bowl?
- You can customize falafel bowls by adding different grains like bulgur or rice, swapping hummus for other dips like tzatziki or baba ganoush, or including various fresh or leftover vegetables.
- Are there any shortcuts for making falafel bowls?
- For convenience, you can use store-bought dips and prepare a quick salad with mixed greens. If available, purchasing freshly cooked falafels from a local Middle Eastern restaurant can also save time.
Tips
- Prep Ahead for Convenience: Prepare the falafel mixture in advance and form it into patties. You can refrigerate or freeze these until you’re ready to cook them. The falafel can be cooked directly from frozen, saving you time on busy days.
- Versatile Ingredients: Utilize whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand, such as bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli. This not only adds variety but also helps in using up any produce you need to consume.
- Efficient Storage: Keep prepped components like sliced vegetables, mixed salads (undressed), and dips in separate, airtight containers in the fridge. These can last for 3 to 4 days, making meal assembly quicker.
- Explore Dips and Grains: Feel free to swap out hummus for other Mediterranean dips like tzatziki or baba ganoush. Adding grains such as bulgur, barley, or leftover rice can act as a hearty base for your falafel bowl.
Equipment
- Food Processor – Essential for making the falafel mixture from scratch.
- Air Fryer – If you plan to follow the air-fryer falafel recipe.
- Shallow Dinner Bowls – Used for assembling and serving the falafel bowls.
- Preserving Jars – For making and storing preserved lemons or pickled turnips, if you choose to make them.
- Mandoline Slicer – Handy for slicing vegetables like radishes and cucumbers thinly and uniformly.
