Falafel Waffles

Falafel waffles! All that crispiness, without deep frying. Waffling your falafel mixture creates a tasty Middle Eastern dish that turns falafels into the star of the meal. Make the vegan and gluten-free recipe in just 20 minutes. 

The falafel waffles recipe was absolutely born just so we could repeatedly say falafel waffles.

Go on, say it aloud.

But not only is it fun to say, but it’s also practical.

Waffling the traditional falafel mix means they get lovely and crispy, without the need to deep fry or use a lot of oil.

They have loads of flavour and are delicious with a big spoonful of hummus and a drizzle of tahini.

Plus, they're ready in just 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients! Win-win.

Originally published October 2 2015. Updated with new text, images and video on 10 Sept 2020.

Why you'll love this recipe

Cooking falafels in a waffle maker makes them lovely and crispy, but without all the oil of traditional deep frying.

This is a fun and easy way to serve the chickpea- and herb-rich protein-packed meal.

Add any toppings you love, such as slices of avocado, spoonfuls of hummus and salad leaves.

They only take 20 minutes to make.

You probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry.

These falafel waffles are really easy to prepare. Whiz, waffle and serve.

This is the sort of healthy fast food that I love. Now say it three times quickly: falafel waffles, falafel waffles, fawaffle laffles.

Falafels

Like any good, upstanding vegetarian, I adore falafels.

I love them from food trucks, street markets, veggie takeaways and even store-bought.

I just love falafels.

They're one of those meals that even the kids will happily tuck into.

But they can be a bit of a pain to make. Not the mixture, that's simply whizzing up chickpeas and spices, but cooking them.

You can bake them, but to get that lovely, crispy shell, often you need to fry them in oil.

But not anymore, people. You can waffle them!

All that crispiness, without the oil.

A soft, flavoursome, spiced falafel that's nice and big and you don't even need a carby pita to tuck them into.

This recipe is an easy weeknight meal that everyone is sure to love.

Serving suggestions

There are lots of tasty side dishes and toppings for falafel waffles. Try some of these tasty ways to serve them.

Topped with hummous (or beet hummus!).

Drizzled with tahini (sesame seed paste found in most major grocery stores).

With a salad (try my green salad or broccoli salad).

Make it a full Middle Eastern feast with Rocca Salad, Fesenjan or Persian Tofu Skewers.

Step by step tutorial

This is a super easy recipe. Simply whiz up the falafel ingredients in a food processor. Then, heat up your waffle maker and waffle your falafel!

First, whiz the oats in the food processor until finer.

Add all the remaining ingredients to the food processor.

Whiz until it forms a thick paste.

NOTE: Don't over mix it though - it's best to leave it a bit chunky so the falafel waffles have a nice texture.

Then, add a big scoop to a heated waffle maker and cook until golden!

Serve immediately, with the toppings of your choice.

What do you think of my new kitchen (and shiny new waffle iron)? This is a tiny glimpse of the work that has been stressing me out for four months.

I've been cooking in a makeshift kitchen since we moved into the new house at the beginning of the year, but now I have this lovely, calm space to create recipes in, hurrah!

Actually that wall colour is rather similar to the colour of a kale and apple cake come to think of it.

I promise that I didn't do that on purpose.

And that's my fancy pants waffle iron. I love using it for all sorts of things, not just waffles. Like... falafel waffles!

What can I waffle?

I've never had a waffle maker before.

I've coveted one, but I've never actually gone for it. I have seriously been missing out.

Not just a weekend breakfast toy, you can waffle so many things.

From potato rostis to spinach and cheese dinner waffles, there are so many ways to get a lot of use out of one.

My kids think waffles are lego pancakes. I hope they always think of them like that.

You can also make these fun waffled recipes:

Waffled Sweet Potato Latkes
Japanese Okonomiyaki Waffles
Potato Rosti Waffles
Hash Brown Waffles
Waffled Chipotle Tofu

Get the recipe

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #veggiedesserts.

📖 Recipe

Falafel Waffles

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts

Falafel waffles! All that crispiness, without deep frying. Ready in just 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients. An easy vegan and gluten-free recipe.

5 from 8 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American, Middle Eastern

Servings 2

Calories 315 kcal

Ingredients

 

• ½ cup (40g) oats
• 2 x 14oz / 400ml cans of chickpeas drained and rinsed
• ½ a red onion peeled and chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic chopped
• handful of fresh parsley roughly chopped
• handful of fresh cilantro / coriander roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoon tahini
• 2 tablespoon olive oil plus extra for wafflemaker
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• small pinch cayenne
• salt and pepper

To serve:

• Tahini
• Hummus
• Salad

Instructions

 

• Whiz the oats first in a food processor until fine.
• Add remaining ingredients and pulse until it forms a ball, scraping down the sides if necessary. Don't overmix as a bit of texture is nice in the finished falafel waffles.
• Heat the waffle iron and brush or spray with a small amount of oil.
• Spoon the falafel mixture into the grids, close and cook for 4 minutes or as directed on your machine.
• Remove and serve topped with tahini and hummus.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 6gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 217mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.