Easy Keto Falafel Recipe 🧆

Our Keto Falafel recipe is a low-carb version of the classic Middle Eastern dish. We made them with fresh broccoli florets, almond meal, aromatic herbs, and a blend of spices. You can enjoy them as a snack, appetizer, or as part of a satisfying meal. They are the real deal! So let’s dive into this easy and delicious recipe!

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Preparation and cooking overview

Preparing these Low-Carb Falafels is super easy. All you have to do is blend the ingredients, shape them into morsels, and bake them in the air-fryer. In just 45 minutes, you’ll have crispy, golden falafel balls at your dining table.

Chef’s note

Have fun with our versatile Keto Falafel Recipe. Add some chopped jalapenos to the mix for a spicy kick. Or add fresh basil, cilantro, or dill for a herby twist. You can add some grated zucchini or roll the falafel balls in sesame seeds before baking them.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Recipe Makes 2 Servings

🧆 Ingredients for this keto falafel recipe

To make a keto version of regular falafels, you will need the following ingredients:

1 broccoli head, cut into florets
1 cup almond meal
2 spring onions
10 sprigs of parsley
2 garlic cloves
½ medium red onion
1 egg
¼ teaspoon cayenne
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon allspice
⅛ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
½ teaspoon ground flaxseeds
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon olive oil
Sesame seeds (optional)

Ingredients made ready on the kitchen table for falafel recipe.

Ingredient substitutions

Ground flaxseeds: Use ground chia seeds if you don’t have ground flaxseeds.
Spring onions: No spring onions in your kitchen? No worries, you can use leek or chives as a substitute.
Broccoli florets: If you are not a fan of broccoli, swap it with cauliflower florets and follow the same cooking instructions. Cauliflower is also a low-carb alternative and a nice substitute for this recipe.
Parsley: If you don’t have parsley, use cilantro sprigs.
Olive oil: Don’t like olive oil? No worries! Use a teaspoon of avocado oil to grease the falafel balls before air-frying.

Additional ingredients

Add some optional ingredients to this recipe for an enhanced flavor profile.

Sesame seeds: Before baking, coat the falafel balls with sesame seeds for added nutty flavor and crunch.
Lemon zest: Add the zest of one lemon to the food processor along with other ingredients. This provides a delightful, citrusy freshness!
Parmesan cheese: Grate some Parmesan cheese to add an umami flavor. It will blend well with the other ingredients.
Chili flakes: For those who enjoy spicy flavors, we suggest sprinkling some chili flakes into the mixture.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the batter before shaping the falafel balls.

Cooking tools required

To make this Keto Falafel recipe, you will need these kitchen tools:

Cooking spatula
Mixing bowl
Knives
Chopping board

How to make Keto Falafel: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

Air frying

Preparation steps

Gather all the falafel ingredients and measure them.
Wash the broccoli head under tap water and chop it into florets.
Rinse the spring onions, parsley, garlic, and red onions, and chop them.
Clean your food processor and air fryer.

Broccoli head, almond meal, spring onions, onion, garlic, and, spices surrounding food processor.

Cooking instructions

Making the falafel balls

Put all the chopped ingredients into the food processor. Crack one egg and add it to the mixture.
Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until everything is finely chopped. Be cautious not to over-process, as some texture should remain in the mixture.
Transfer the mixture from the food processor to a large bowl.
Use your hands to roll and shape the mixture into 12-14 round balls, approximately the size of a walnut.

Mixing ingredients in the food processor.

Baking the falafel

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Place the falafel balls onto the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Then, lightly spray each falafel with olive oil using a spray bottle.
Bake them in the preheated air fryer for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and have a crunchy texture. Remember to flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
Once cooked, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Drizzling a little over falafel balls in an air fryer.

Chef’s pro tip

To achieve the classic chunky texture of falafel, it is important to avoid blending the mixture into a dense paste. Pulse your ingredients until finely chopped, checking regularly. When shaping the falafel, lightly grease your hands with olive or avocado oil to prevent sticking. This will ensure that your dish not only tastes great but also looks good.

What to serve with falafel?

Pair your Keto Falafel nuggets with keto-friendly side dishes for a complete lunch or dinner. Here are a few options:

Keto-friendly sauces: Serve your keto falafel balls with Tzatziki Sauce, Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, tahini sauce, or spicy harissa sauce for an extra kick.
Fresh lettuce leaves: Wrap your falafels in fresh lettuce leaves and relish a burger-like experience.
Naan bread: Use your favorite keto spreads, add some fresh veggies, and try our Naan Bread for an ultimate Falafel experience.
Roasted vegetables: Pair with various roasted veggies, like eggplant and bell peppers.

Two bowls of keto friendly falafel recipe.

How to make it healthier?

Cut back on the added salt to decrease sodium.
Opt for organic produce for better nutritional quality.
Add extra veggies like spinach or zucchini into the falafel mixture for added fiber.
For a vegan keto falafel, substitute egg with a flax egg and ensure the sauce you use is completely vegan.

Time-saving tips

Use an ice cream or cookie scoop to make even-sized falafel balls quickly.
Make a double batch of the mixture. It keeps well in the fridge. So you’ll be ready to enjoy another batch during the week.
Use pre-ground spices instead of grinding them yourself.

Falafel recipe with keto friendly topping.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

Falafel mixture: Make the mixture in advance, put it in an airtight container, and keep it in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, take it out, form your balls, and you’re good to go!
Chop veggies: Get your broccoli, spring onions, parsley, garlic, and red onion chopped up and ready. You can keep them in airtight containers in the fridge.

Storage and reheating instructions

Storage tips

It is easy to store leftover falafel. Here are some useful tips:

Refrigerator: First, allow the leftover falafels to cool to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: If you want to store the falafels longer, freeze them before baking. Place them in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months.

Reheating instructions

Falafels can be enjoyed cold, but reheating them is the best way to relish the fresh texture.

Oven: Place the refrigerated leftovers in a preheated air-fryer or oven at 350°F (180°C). Warm for 5-10 minutes or until heated. For the frozen ones, bake them in an air-fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 30-35 minutes.

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Our versatile Keto Falafel Recipe is perfect as a main dish, appetizer, or salad. These crispy falafel balls are guaranteed to impress. By following the simple steps, you can whip up this recipe in no time. Bring the delightful flavors of the Middle East to your kitchen without compromising your keto diet.

We can’t wait to hear about the creative variations you add to this traditional falafel recipe. Share a picture of this keto snack, and be sure to tag us on social media!

Frequently asked questions

If the mixture seems too wet, add more almond meal to achieve the desired consistency.

Traditional falafel is gluten-free, but some variations may contain wheat flour. Our recipe uses ingredients like broccoli, almond meal, herbs, and spices, which are naturally gluten-free.

No, not usually, but this recipe is keto-friendly. We used low-carb ingredients such as broccoli, almond meal, and spices, making it suitable for a ketogenic diet.

This recipe serves two people. However, the number of falafels you end up with depends on how large or small you shape them. On average, expect around 12-14 falafels.

Definitely! Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for about the same time, flipping halfway through, until they turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Use either blanched or unblanched, as per your personal preference. A blanched almond flour will make your falafel slightly smoother, while an unblanched flour meal has a rough but extra-fibrous texture.

If your falafel mixture feels too dry and doesn’t hold together well, add another egg as a binder. This will help to moisten the mix and make it easier to shape them into balls.

📖 Recipe

Keto Falafel

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This recipe for Keto Falafel offers a low-carb twist on the classic Middle Eastern dish, using broccoli, almond meal, and flavorful spices to create crispy and delicious falafel balls.

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Middle Eastern

Keyword easy, falafel, keto falafel, low carb

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 495kcal

Ingredients

1 broccoli head cut into florets
1 cup almond meal
2 spring onions
10 sprigs of parsley
2 garlic cloves
½ medium red onion
1 egg
¼ teaspoon cayenne
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon allspice
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon ground flaxseeds
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil
Sesame seeds optional

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Making the falafel balls

Put all the chopped ingredients into the food processor. Crack one egg and add it to the mixture.
Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until everything is finely chopped. Be cautious not to over-process, as some texture should remain in the mixture.
Transfer the mixture from the food processor to a large bowl.
Use your hands to roll and shape the mixture into 12-14 round balls, approximately the size of a walnut.

Baking the falafel

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Place the falafel balls onto the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Then, lightly spray each falafel with olive oil using a spray bottle.
Bake them in the preheated air fryer for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and have a crunchy texture. Remember to flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
Once cooked, remove them from the air fryer and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Video

Nutrition

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