Falafel Burgers (Vegan & High-Protein)

Name: Falafel Burgers (Vegan & High-Protein)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: ½ Medium Red Onion (cut into chunks); 4 Cloves Garlic; 1 Cup Packed Fresh Parsley; 1 Cup Packed Fresh Cilantro; 2 Tablespoons Dried Dill; 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice; 2 Tablespoons Tahini; 1 Tablespoons Kosher Salt; 1 Tablespoon Ground Black Pepper; 1 Tablespoon Cumin; 1 Tablespoon Coriander; 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne; ¼ Teaspoon Baking Powder; ¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda; 3/4 Cup Vital Wheat Gluten or Oat Flour; 1 15 Ounce Can Chickpeas (drained and rinsed); 2 Tablespoons Sesame Seeds; To serve: vegan buns, lettuce/spinach, pickled red onions/onion, tahini, tzatziki, etc.

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These falafel burgers are a larger version of falafel, perfect for serving burger style. Packed with 21g of protein and full of flavor.

A falafel burger on a bun, dripping with tahini.

If you've ever wanted to eat falafel as your main dish, this recipe is for you.

These burgers are a delightful combination of falafel and bean burgers. They have all the fresh and bright flavors of falafel, with the structure of a bean burger. They make a great main dish because they are loaded with protein and fiber. Serve with vegan tzatziki sauce or hummus for a totally mediterranean burger!

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Why I love these Falafel Burgers
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
How to make Falafel Burgers
FAQ & Expert Tips
Recipe Prayer
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A falafel burger sliced in half to show the firm yet moist texture of the patty.

Why I love these Falafel Burgers

Dietary needs - these burgers are vegan/plant-based, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free
Real foods - no fake meat here! These burgers are made from entirely whole foods!
LOADED with protein - chickpeas (the key ingredient in falafel) are a moderate vegan protein source, but what really adds protein to these burgers is vital wheat gluten, which has a very high percentage of protein! So these burgers have much more protein than a standard veggie burger
Fresh flavor - who knew a baked burger could taste so fresh?! Using fresh herbs in the patty really steps up the bright flavors
Versatile - I've made several variations of these burgers, with other types of beans and different herbs; they always turn out delicious!
Twist on a classic - classic falafel is shaped into balls or small patties, but this falafel is shaped into burger-sized patties to be served as a full meal!
Easy Vegan Falafel - while there are quite a few ingredients, this falafel is actually really easy to make. All the ingredients go in your food processor. You'll have falafel in no time!
Air Fryer Friendly - I love putting these burgers in the air fryer. They get that perfect crispy on the outside, moist on the inside combo

A falafel burger served on a bun, with spinach, onion, and tahini.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Red Onion: you can also use a yellow onion
Garlic: I recommend using a garlic press first to help create a more evenly distributed garlic flavor
Herbs: Parsley, cilantro, dill. These are the classic herbs found in falafel. Using fresh parsley and cilantro is essential for a fresh flavor. Dried dill is fine.
Lemon Juice: a bit of acid from the lemon juice helps brighten up the flavor. In my other burger recipes I use mustard, but lemon juice works better with the falafel flavors
Tahini: tahini adds some sesame flavor to the falafel burgers and gives them some moisture so they aren't dry and sad
Spices: Kosher Salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne. Besides the chickpeas, these spices are what makes the falafel super flavorful. A pinch of cayenne adds that extra edge to the flavor profile.
Baking Powder & Soda: baking powder and baking soda help create a light and definitely NOT dense falafel
Vital Wheat Gluten: many bean burgers use flour to help bind the patties, so for extra protein I opted for vital wheat gluten, which is almost entirely protein. This makes these burgers a nutritional powerhouse. If you are gluten-free, you can use a gf flour of your choice, like oat flour.
Chickpeas: the classic falafel ingredient. Canned chickpeas work perfectly in this recipe!
Sesame Seeds: these are optional but I love having the extra texture and hint of sesame flavor
To serve: vegan buns, lettuce/spinach, pickled red onions/onion, tahini, tzatziki, etc.

How to make Falafel Burgers

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. (See post for pan-frying instructions.)

Step 2. Add the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, dill, lemon juice, tahini, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, cayenne, baking powder, and baking soda to a food processor. Pulse several times to combine.

Falafel burgers step 2 - blend the herbs and spices.

Step 3. Add the chickpeas and vital wheat gluten. Pulse again to break down the chickpeas.

Falafel burgers step 3 - add the chickpeas and vital wheat gluten.

Step 4. Use a ½ cup measure to shape the mixture into four patties. Arrange on the prepared baking sheet.

Falafel burgers step 4 - shape into patties.

Step 5. Bake for 25-30 minutes (until internal temperature reaches 195°F).

Step 6. Serve burger-style, with buns, lettuce/spinach, pickled red onions/onion, tahini, tzatziki, etc.

Falafel burgers step 6 - serve burger style.

Pan Frying Instructions

I prefer baking because the patties hold together better and it's easier to ensure they are cooked through. But you can pan-fry these burgers too!

To pan cook, heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Cook the patties for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden. Check for an internal temperature of 195°F.

Air Fryer Instructions

These falafel burgers cook up wonderfully in the air fryer too! Follow the instructions as written, then air fry at 375°F for 13-15 minutes.

An open-faced falafel burger, dripping with tahini.

FAQ & Expert Tips

Make these without a food processor.

Mash the chickpeas in a large bowl. Mince the garlic, onion, and herbs. Add to the bowl along with the lemon juice, tahini, spices, powder, and soda. Finally, add the vital wheat gluten and sesame seeds. Stir until the mixture comes together. Then follow the cooking instructions as written.

Storage‍

Store these burgers in an air-tight container in the fridge. They will last up to a week.

‍Reheating‍

To reheat, warm in the oven or air fryer at 350°F and heat for 5-6 minutes until warmed through. Or re-heat in the pan over medium heat for 2 minutes per side until warm.

Freezing Instructions

I love making a big batch of these burgers and freezing some for later. To freeze, let the patties cool completely, then wrap individually in cling wrap and place all the patties in a freezer safe bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 6 months. To reheat, cook in the oven or air fryer at 350°F until warm, about 7-10 minutes.

Recipe Prayer

Thank you God for these burgers that give our muscles the nutrients they need. Thank you for this delicious meal with our favorite flavors. Amen.

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