Falafel Quinoa Salad Bowl (Printable Version)

Wholesome bowl featuring baked falafel, quinoa, fresh cucumber, tomatoes, and creamy garlic tahini.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Baked Falafel

01 - 1 1/2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
03 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
04 - 2 green onions, roughly chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
08 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
12 - 3 tablespoons chickpea flour
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Quinoa

14 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
15 - 2 cups water
16 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Salad

17 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
18 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
19 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Garlic Tahini Sauce

20 - 1/3 cup tahini
21 - 1 clove garlic, minced
22 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
23 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water
24 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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 is mostly smooth with a slightly coarse texture, scraping down sides as needed.
03 - Using damp hands, form falafel mixture into 12 balls or patties. Place on prepared baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil.
04 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
05 - In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
06 - Whisk together tahini, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Add additional water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
07 - Divide cooked quinoa among 4 serving bowls. Top each bowl with diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onions, and 3 baked falafel. Drizzle generously with garlic tahini sauce.
08 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs or lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Baked falafel means you skip the oil splatters and get the same irresistible crispy exterior without the guilt.
  • One bowl holds enough protein and fiber to keep you satisfied for hours, making it perfect for busy days.
  • It comes together in under an hour, and every component can be prepped ahead so you just assemble when hungry.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the chickpeas or quinoa—the starch and sodium will make your bowl taste flat and muddy instead of bright and clean.
  • Flipping the falafel halfway through baking is non-negotiable if you want that crispy exterior; leaving them undisturbed means one side browns while the other steams.
  • The tahini sauce thickens as it sits, so make it right before serving or add a splash of water to loosen it again.
03 -
  • Damp hands are your secret weapon when shaping falafel—they prevent sticking and make the whole process feel less messy and more meditative.
  • Squeeze your lemon juice fresh right before using it; the flavor is noticeably brighter and changes how the entire bowl tastes.
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