Falafel Quinoa Salad Bowl (Printable)

Baked falafel with quinoa, fresh veggies, and smooth garlic tahini sauce create a vibrant bowl.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

→ Fresh Salad Components

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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
02 - In a food processor, combine chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, green onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and chickpea flour. Pulse until mixture achieves a mostly smooth texture with slight coarseness, scraping down sides as needed.
03 - Using damp hands, form falafel mixture into 12 balls or patties. Arrange on prepared baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
04 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until golden brown and crispy on all surfaces.
05 - While falafel bakes, combine rinsed quinoa, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to rest 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 to achieve desired consistency.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa evenly among 4 serving bowls. Top each portion with diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, and 3 baked falafel pieces. Drizzle generously with garlic tahini sauce.
08 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh herbs or lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect balance of protein and fiber from both quinoa and chickpeas
  • Baking the falafel makes this traditionally fried dish much healthier
  • The garlic tahini sauce adds creaminess without dairy
  • Bright, fresh vegetables provide contrast to the hearty falafel
  • Make-ahead components for easy meal prep
02 -
  • Rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating
  • For extra flavorful quinoa, substitute vegetable broth for water
  • Make the falafel mixture up to a day ahead and refrigerate
  • The tahini sauce thickens as it sits; thin with additional water if needed
  • If you prefer crispier falafel, flatten them slightly before baking
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