Is Falafel Vegetarian?

Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish that is made from 100% plant-based ingredients such as lentils, herbs, spices, and onions. This makes it ideal for vegetarian and vegan diets. In addition to being vegetarian-friendly, falafel is also full of vitamins and minerals.

For vegetarians looking for a delicious meal option, falafel is definitely worth considering. Not only is it 100% plant-based but it’s also an excellent source of protein, B vitamins, iron, and dietary fiber.

So if you’re looking for a tasty plant-based meal, then look no further than this timeless Middle Eastern classic – falafel!

What Is Falafel?

Falafel is a delicious deep-fried fritter that originated in the Middle East and is now enjoyed all over the world. It’s made from ground chickpeas and/or fava beans, herbs, spices, and onions, making it 100% plant-based and an ideal dish for vegetarians.

Not only do falafel balls provide great flavor to your plate, but they are also incredibly nutritious. They are a great source of plant proteins and can be substituted for meat-based proteins in your dishes. Additionally, since they aren’t fried in oil, you can bake them instead for less fat content.

Falafel is most often served with pita bread as a pocket sandwich or on top of salad greens as an appetizer or snack. It is versatile enough to be added to salads or wraps as well! Delicious Tahini sauce or hot sauce typically accompanies these delightful morsels of goodness.

So if you’re looking for a tasty vegan-friendly meal option that’ll hit both your health and taste buds at the same time, then look no further than falafel!

Is Falafel Vegan?

The ingredients in falafel are typically vegan-friendly – the only caveat being that it’s deep-fried in lard or other animal fat traditionally. However, most places now use vegetable oil like soy or canola oil to fry the falafel which makes it suitable for vegans.

For those concerned about cross-contamination with non-vegan foods causing an issue at restaurants, check with your establishment to see if their falafel fry oil is shared before ordering. Home cooks have the advantage of baking their falafel rather than frying them too!

Many commercially made falafels contain wheat flour as a binder and baking soda to make it fluffier. Some also include sesame seeds and dehydrated oils so make sure you check the label before purchasing pre-made mixes if you’re following a vegan diet carefully.

All this considered – Yes, Falafel can be vegan-friendly – as long as you follow the above guidelines when buying/making them yourself!

When Is Falafel Not Vegan?

Falafel is traditionally considered a vegan dish, but you might encounter non-vegan ingredients from time to time. The most common source of non-vegan ingredients in falafel is bread or toppings.

Falafel is often served beside or inside an unleavened bread-like pita. Occasionally, these pitas can contain honey, which is not considered vegan by many strict vegans. It’s important to check if the pita you’re eating contains honey before biting into it.

It’s also not uncommon to see falafel topped with tzatziki sauce (made with a yogurt sauce option) or even feta cheese (made from sheep’s milk). Both of these components are non-vegan and should be easy enough to detect and remove during your order.

In conclusion, as long as you avoid potential sources of non-vegan ingredients such as honey in the pita and toppings like tzatziki sauce and feta cheese, you should be safe in assuming that your falafel is indeed vegan!

How To Make Vegetarian Falafel At Home?

Content of Falafel is a delicious dish of deep-fried balls made from ground chickpeas, spices, and herbs. Although traditionally this Middle Eastern dish is not vegetarian, it can be easily made into a vegetarian version with a few simple substitutions.

Whether you’re looking for an easy lunch or dinner option or just want to try something different, making delicious falafel at home is an enjoyable experience that the whole family can enjoy! So, Do try this classic Vegan Falafel Recipe.

Ingredients

To make vegetarian falafel at home, start by gathering your ingredients: canned chickpeas, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, parsley, and a pinch of salt.

Instructions

First, add chickpeas, parsley, shallot, garlic, sesame seeds, cumin, salt, black pepper (and coriander and cardamom if using) to a food processor or blender and mix/pulse until thoroughly combined. This will give you a crumbly dough that’s not too wet—not too dry!

Next, add flour one tablespoon at a time until the dough can be easily molded into balls without it sticking to your hands. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and then refrigerate for 1-2 hours to firm up; you can also freeze it for 45 minutes if in a hurry.

Once chilled/frozen, scoop out roughly one tablespoon at a time (~30 g in weight). Gently form into 11-12 small discs and optionally sprinkle on panko bread crumbs & gently press them in. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of oil & fry for four minutes on each side or until deep golden brown in color.

If not cooking all at once, freeze falafel between layers of parchment paper–will last up to one month–and then thaw & cook as instructed above! Serve warm with garlic-dill sauce or hummus inside of naan/pita bread with desired toppings or atop greens; best when fresh but leftovers will keep in the refrigerator covered for four-five days or can be frozen for one month after that!

FAQs

What is falafel made of?

Falafel is a vegan and vegetarian-friendly dish that is typically made from vegan chickpea plants or fava beans.

These are the base ingredients that are intermingled with spices, herbs, baking soda, wheat flour, and sesame seeds to give it its iconic flavor. Oil is then often used to deep-fry the mixture into small balls or patties that can be served as an appetizer or on top of salads.

Falafel has historically been eaten by vegetarians and vegans looking for an easy and tasty snack option. It has also become popular amongst meat eaters due to its unique flavor and texture. Whether you’re vegan/vegetarian or not, Restaurant Quality falafel is certainly worth trying!

Does falafel have meat in it?

The short answer is not usually. Falafel is typically vegetarian, so it does not contain any non-vegan foods or meat. It is often used as an alternative to shawarma, which is a Middle Eastern meat-based protein dish traditionally made with lamb, turkey, or chicken.

However, some falafel can still contain small amounts of meat and other animal products when the maker uses less traditional recipes. To make sure you are getting a vegetarian meal, be sure to ask your falafel maker if their recipes include meat or other animal products. They should be able to provide you with the information you need before you order your food.

When it comes to going vegetarian, knowing what dishes do and don’t include meat is very important in order to make responsible decisions about your food choices. So the next time you want to get that falafel wrap for lunch, just make sure to double-check that there won’t be any unadvertised meats included!