What exactly is a waffle falafel?

A waffle falafel is a creative twist on traditional falafel where the falafel mixture, usually made from chickpeas, herbs, and spices, is cooked in a waffle iron instead of being deep-fried. This method gives the falafel a crispy waffle-like exterior with characteristic ridges, while keeping a tender inside. It offers a fun texture contrast and can be served with traditional accompaniments like tahini sauce, salads, or wraps.

How do I make waffle falafel at home?

To make waffle falafel, start with your favorite falafel mixture—typically soaked chickpeas blended with garlic, onion, herbs, cumin, and coriander. Preheat a non-stick or well-oiled waffle iron, spoon the mixture onto it, and cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden and crisp. Avoid overloading the waffle iron to ensure even cooking. Serve warm with your preferred dips or in pita bread.

Can I make waffle falafel gluten-free?

Yes, waffle falafel can be gluten-free as traditional falafel recipes usually don’t contain gluten. Just make sure to avoid adding any wheat-based binders. Instead, use gluten-free flours like chickpea flour or rice flour if extra binding is needed. Also, check that your waffle iron is clean and free from gluten cross-contamination to keep your dish safe.

What sauces and toppings go well with waffle falafel?

Classic sauces like tahini, garlic yogurt sauce, or hummus pair well with waffle falafel. Fresh toppings such as chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, pickles, and fresh herbs add brightness and texture. You can also serve it inside pita or flatbreads with lettuce and a squeeze of lemon for a delicious sandwich-style meal.

Are waffle falafels a healthier option than traditional deep-fried falafel?

Cooking falafel in a waffle iron generally uses less oil than deep-frying, resulting in fewer calories and less fat. The waffle method also reduces oil absorption, making the falafel crisp without the heaviness of fried versions. However, the overall healthiness depends on the ingredients used and portion sizes, so consider pairing them with fresh vegetables and light sauces.

Waffle Falafel Recipes Combining Crispy Falafel And Savory Waffles

Ingredients

– 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)

– ¼ cup yellow or green onion

– 2 cloves garlic

– ¼ cup cilantro

– ¼ cup parsley

– 1 teaspoon cumin

– 1 teaspoon salt

– ¼ teaspoon cardamom

– ¼ teaspoon black pepper

– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

– 1 tablespoon cornstarch

– 1 teaspoon baking powder

– ¼ cup olive oil

– 1 tablespoon lemon juice

– 1 egg, beaten

– 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

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Instructions

1-First, grab your food processor and combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, cilantro, parsley, cumin, salt, cardamom, and black pepper. Process it until it’s thickly pureed, which gives that hearty base we love.

2-Next, add in the flour, cornstarch, and baking powder, then pulse a few times to mix everything evenly without turning it to mush.

3-Now, stir in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the lemon juice, processing for about a minute; if it looks dry, add the rest of the olive oil to get the right consistency.

4-Once that’s done, mix in the beaten egg and sesame seeds by hand until it’s all blended this step adds that extra binding magic.

5-Finally, preheat your waffle iron and cook the batter as per your device’s instructions; this recipe makes four half-cup waffles that come out perfectly golden.

Last Step:

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Notes

⏲️ Cooking time varies by waffle iron; cook until firm but note fawaffles won’t get as crispy as deep-fried falafel.
🔥 For extra crispness, finish fawaffles in the oven after cooking.
❄️ Fawaffles freeze well; reheat best in a toaster for optimal texture.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Waffle Iron Cooking, Food Processing
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 waffle
Calories: 178
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 708mg
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 41mg