Baked Beet Falafel with Spicy Harissa Tahini Dressing: A Vibrant, Healthy, and Flavorful Vegan Twist
Prepare your taste buds for an exciting culinary journey with this incredible Baked Beet Falafel recipe, perfectly complemented by a creamy, spicy Harissa Tahini Dressing. This dish offers a delightful and colorful twist on traditional Middle Eastern falafel, transforming the classic chickpea fritter into a vibrant pink sensation. Forget the deep fryer; we’re baking these beauties to perfection, making them not only easier to prepare but also a much healthier option without sacrificing that irresistible crispy exterior and tender interior. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the rich, aromatic flavors of the Mediterranean in a fresh, wholesome, and entirely plant-based form.
This isn’t just your ordinary falafel; it’s an innovative creation designed to surprise and delight. While everyone loves the timeless appeal of classic, crispy falafel made with chickpeas, this unique version introduces tender, earthy roasted beets into the mixture. The addition of beets not only bestows an absolutely stunning pink hue upon each falafel ball, making them a feast for the eyes, but also adds a wonderful moisture and a subtly smooth texture that elevates the eating experience. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to add more color and nutrients to their plate.
Now, we know what you might be wondering: does it taste like beets? The short and reassuring answer is no! The robust flavors of fresh parsley, aromatic ground coriander, and warm cumin are carefully balanced to ensure this beet falafel retains the familiar, authentic taste of traditional falafel. You’ll notice just a delicate hint of sweetness from the beets, which beautifully complements the savory spices, rather than an overpowering earthy beet flavor. So, even if you’re not typically a beet enthusiast, you are highly likely to fall in love with these flavorful and visually appealing falafel.
This fantastic beet falafel recipe is just one of the many culinary gems you can find in my comprehensive ebook, It’s That Easy! If you haven’t heard, I poured my passion into writing this ebook, sharing how remarkably simple and enjoyable it is to transition to a vibrant, meatless lifestyle. Spanning nearly 150 pages, it’s packed with invaluable tips, an abundance of delicious recipes (seriously, so many recipes!), and a practical 4-week meal prep guide designed to effortlessly kickstart your plant-based journey. It’s an indispensable resource for both beginners and seasoned vegans alike.
Why You’ll Adore This Baked Beet Falafel Recipe
There are countless reasons to make this colorful beet falafel a staple in your meal rotation. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
- Healthier & Lighter: By baking instead of frying, we drastically reduce the oil content, resulting in a lighter falafel that’s still wonderfully crispy on the outside and tender within. It’s guilt-free Mediterranean goodness!
- Vibrant & Visually Stunning: The natural pigments from the beets give these falafel a gorgeous pink or purple hue, making them an instant showstopper on any plate or platter. Perfect for entertaining or simply brightening up your weeknight dinner.
- Subtle Sweetness & Earthiness: The roasted beets infuse a unique, mild sweetness and a pleasant earthy undertone that complements the traditional falafel spices beautifully, creating a more complex flavor profile.
- Packed with Nutrients: Beets are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, adding a powerful nutritional boost to your meal. Chickpeas provide essential plant-based protein and fiber, making this a truly satisfying and wholesome dish.
- Easy to Make Ahead: Both the falafel mixture and the harissa tahini dressing can be prepared in advance, saving you time on busy days. Simply form and bake the falafel when you’re ready to eat.
- Versatile Serving Options: While phenomenal in pita wraps, these falafel are incredibly versatile. Serve them on salads, as part of a mezze platter, or even as a snack with your favorite dip.
- Vegan & Easily Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally vegan and can be effortlessly made gluten-free by using an appropriate flour, catering to various dietary needs without compromising on flavor or texture.
Notes on Ingredients: Crafting Your Perfect Beet Falafel
Choosing high-quality ingredients is key to the success of any recipe, and this beet falafel is no exception. Below, we delve into important details about the components that make this dish so special. Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
For the Beet Falafel:
- Ground cumin: This warming, earthy spice is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern cuisine and essential for that authentic falafel flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Ground coriander: With its citrusy and slightly sweet notes, coriander beautifully complements the cumin and brightens the overall spice blend.
- Flour: Acts as a binder, helping the falafel hold its shape. You can use standard all-purpose flour for a classic texture, or easily make this recipe gluten-free by opting for oat flour or einkorn flour. Ensure your chosen gluten-free flour is suitable for baking.
- Roasted beets: The star ingredient! Roasting the beets before incorporating them into the falafel mixture deepens their sweetness and makes them incredibly tender, contributing to both the vibrant color and the smooth texture. Follow the recipe for roasting beets here: Roasted Beet “Feta” Salad with Maple Mustard Vinaigrette.
- Chickpeas: The traditional base for falafel, providing a hearty, protein-rich foundation. Canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed, are convenient, but you can also use home-cooked dried chickpeas for a potentially fresher flavor.
- Dried or fresh parsley: Fresh parsley offers a bright, herbaceous note that’s crucial for falafel. If using dried, remember that it’s more concentrated, so adjust the quantity accordingly. Fresh is always preferred for maximum flavor.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all the other flavors. Adjust to your personal preference.
- Pepper: A touch of black pepper adds a subtle warmth and balances the spices.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves provide a pungent, aromatic kick that’s fundamental to falafel. Use fresh, not powdered, for the best result.
- Lemon or lime: The juice adds a vital zing and acidity, brightening the flavors and cutting through the richness. Either lemon or lime works beautifully, offering slightly different nuances.
- Onion: A small onion, finely chopped, contributes a foundational savory sweetness and aromatic depth to the falafel mixture.
For the Harissa Tahini Dressing:
- Tahini: A creamy sesame paste that forms the base of this luxurious dressing. Good quality tahini should be smooth and pourable. Here’s how to make tahini if you want to try it from scratch.
- Sea salt: To season and balance the flavors in the dressing.
- Ground black pepper: Adds a subtle spice and complexity.
- Harissa paste: This smoky, spicy North African chili paste is what gives the dressing its distinctive kick and beautiful reddish hue. Harissa varies in heat, so start with a teaspoon and add more to taste if you prefer extra spice. You can find it at many well-stocked grocery stores or order it online.
- Water: Used to thin the tahini to the desired creamy, pourable consistency. Add gradually until you reach your preferred thickness.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is crucial here, providing a tangy, bright acidity that cuts through the richness of the tahini and harmonizes with the harissa.
- Garlic chopped: Fresh garlic provides a sharp, aromatic punch that complements the bold flavors of harissa and tahini.
For Assembling Your Beet Falafel Wraps:
While the falafel and dressing are the stars, the accompanying fresh ingredients elevate the whole experience. These are suggestions for a classic wrap, but feel free to customize!
- Pita wrap: Soft, warm pita bread is the perfect vessel for these flavorful falafel. You can also use flatbreads or lettuce cups for a lighter option.
- Lettuce: Crisp lettuce adds a refreshing crunch and coolness. Romaine or butter lettuce work well.
- Tomatoes: Diced fresh tomatoes provide a burst of juicy sweetness and acidity.
- Parsley: Fresh chopped parsley adds another layer of herbaceous freshness and a beautiful green garnish.
- Onions: Thinly sliced red onions or chopped green onions offer a mild sharpness and pungent flavor contrast.
How to Make Baked Beet Falafel and Harissa Tahini Dressing: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this vibrant beet falafel and its accompanying spicy dressing is a straightforward process that yields incredibly rewarding results. One of the best parts is that you can prepare both the harissa tahini dressing and the falafel mixture in advance, allowing you to simply form and bake the falafel whenever you’re ready to enjoy a delicious, healthy meal. This flexibility makes it perfect for meal prepping or quick weeknight dinners.
Make the Harissa Tahini Dressing:
This creamy, spicy, and tangy dressing comes together in mere minutes and is an absolute game-changer for your falafel wraps (and so much more!).
Process. Gather all of your dressing ingredients: tahini, sea salt, ground black pepper, harissa paste, water, lime juice, and chopped garlic. Combine them thoroughly in a high-speed blender or a food processor. Blend until the mixture achieves a perfectly smooth, creamy, and uniform consistency. If the dressing is too thick for your liking, add a tiny bit more water, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired pourable texture.
Set aside. Once blended to perfection, transfer the harissa tahini dressing to a small bowl. Cover it and set it aside at room temperature if you plan to use it soon, or refrigerate it if preparing in advance. If it thickens significantly in the fridge, a splash of water and a quick stir will bring it back to life.
Make the Beet Falafel:
Creating these beautiful pink falafel is simpler than you might think, especially since we’re baking them!
Make the falafel mixture. In your food processor, combine all the prepped beet falafel ingredients: roasted beets, chickpeas, ground cumin, ground coriander, flour, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon/lime juice, and onion. Process the mixture for at least a minute, or until everything is thoroughly combined, finely chopped, and the mixture has transformed into a vibrant, uniform pink color. The consistency should be slightly sticky but firm enough to hold its shape when rolled. Refrigerate this mixture for at least 30 minutes. Chilling it makes the dough much easier to handle and prevents sticking during the forming stage, resulting in neater falafel balls.
Prepare. While your falafel mixture is chilling, preheat your oven to a steady 400°F (200°C). This ensures the oven is at the optimal temperature for even baking and crisping. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This step is crucial for preventing the falafel from sticking and for easy cleanup.
Form the falafel. Lightly dust your hands with a little bit of flour (gluten-free if applicable) to prevent the falafel mixture from sticking. Take out the chilled mixture from the fridge. Using about a tablespoon of the falafel mixture at a time, gently roll it between your palms to form small, uniform balls. They don’t have to be perfectly round, but aim for consistency in size for even baking. Place each formed ball onto your prepared baking sheet, ensuring there’s a little space between each one to allow air to circulate and promote even crisping.
Bake. Carefully place the baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake the falafel for approximately 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the outside and firm to the touch. The baking process creates a delightfully crispy exterior while keeping the interior moist and flavorful. Once baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before handling. They will firm up a bit more as they cool.
Make the wraps. To assemble your delicious falafel wraps, warm your pita bread slightly. Divide the fresh lettuce, chopped parsley, chopped onions, and diced tomatoes evenly onto the bottom of each pita wrap. Next, add about 4 warm falafel balls to each wrap. The grand finale: generously drizzle your prepared Harissa Tahini Sauce over the falafel and fresh vegetables. Fold or roll your pita, and enjoy this incredibly satisfying and flavorful meal!
Tips for Success: Ensuring Your Beet Falafel is Perfect Every Time
Making delicious falafel can be an art, but these simple hints and tips will make this beet falafel recipe even easier and more foolproof, ensuring fantastic results every single time!
- Swapping out the red beets for less mess: If you’re not a fan of dealing with the vibrant red beet juice staining your cutting board and hands, a simple solution is to use yellow beets instead. They offer a similar flavor profile and texture but will give your falafel a lovely golden hue rather than pink, and significantly reduce the potential for red stains.
- Using dried chickpeas for a richer flavor: While canned chickpeas are incredibly convenient, if you have the time, you can swap them for a cup and a half of cooked dried chickpeas. Soaking and cooking dried chickpeas from scratch can impart a slightly richer, more nuanced flavor and a firmer texture to your falafel. Just be sure they are fully cooked and tender before blending.
- Ensuring perfect falafel consistency: The mixture shouldn’t be too wet (which can lead to crumbly falafel) or too dry (which makes them hard). If your mixture feels too wet after blending, add a tablespoon or two more of flour. If it’s too dry, add a tiny splash of water or lemon juice. The chilling step in the fridge is also crucial for better handling and shaping.
- Keeping hands clean and making uniform balls: To keep your hands from getting messy with the vibrant beet mixture and to ensure evenly sized falafel balls, consider using a cookie scoop (about 1.5-2 tablespoons) to portion the mixture. Then, gently roll them between floured hands. This makes the process much quicker and cleaner.
- Achieving maximum crispiness when baking: For extra crispy falafel, ensure your oven is fully preheated. You can also lightly brush the formed falafel balls with a small amount of olive oil before baking. Flipping them halfway through the baking time will also help both sides get evenly golden and crisp.
- Customizing the Harissa Tahini Dressing: Don’t be afraid to adjust the heat level of your dressing! Start with the recommended amount of harissa paste and taste. If you love a spicier kick, add a little more, a quarter teaspoon at a time, until it’s just right for you. You can also add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth.
What Is Traditionally Served With Falafel? Creative Serving Ideas
While I absolutely adore tucking these colorful beet falafel into warm pita wraps with fresh vegetables and that irresistible harissa tahini dressing, their versatility means they can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. Falafel is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine and is often served as part of a grand mezze platter, an array of small dishes designed for sharing and savoring. Here are some fantastic ideas to serve alongside your vibrant beet falafel, creating a truly authentic and delicious Mediterranean spread:
- Perfect Homemade Hummus: A classic pairing! The creamy, garlicky chickpea dip is a natural complement to falafel.
- Baba Ghanoush: A smoky, rich eggplant dip that adds another layer of Mediterranean flavor.
- Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: For those who love an extra kick, this vibrant hummus is a delicious alternative or addition.
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: A light, fresh salad packed with herbs, vegetables, and chickpeas, offering a textural contrast.
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad: A hearty and healthy grain salad that makes for a complete meal alongside falafel.
- Fresh Salad Greens: A simple mixed green salad with a lemon-tahini vinaigrette can perfectly cut through the richness.
- Pickled Vegetables: Pickled turnips, cucumbers, or peppers add a tangy, sharp contrast that falafel truly shines with.
- Tabouleh or Fattoush Salad: Traditional Middle Eastern salads that are refreshing, herbaceous, and perfect alongside the falafel.
- Rice Pilaf: A simple, fluffy rice pilaf can serve as a comforting base.
- Warm Olives: A bowl of marinated, warm olives can be a delightful appetizer.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers for Maximum Freshness
One of the beauties of this beet falafel recipe is how well it stores, allowing you to enjoy healthy, flavorful meals throughout the week. Proper storage is key to maintaining freshness and taste.
You can store both the baked beet falafel and the harissa tahini dressing separately in the refrigerator. Ensure they are placed in airtight containers to prevent them from drying out and to maintain their distinct flavors. Stored correctly, they will last wonderfully for about 4 days, making them perfect for meal prepping.
When it comes to reheating the falafel, you have a couple of excellent options to restore their crispiness. For a quick reheat, the microwave works, but for the best texture, an oven is recommended. Place the falafel in a 350ºF (175ºC) oven for about 10 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through and slightly crispy on the exterior. This method helps bring back that lovely baked crispness. The harissa tahini dressing, if it has thickened in the fridge, can simply be set on the counter for 15-20 minutes to warm up slightly and regain its pourable consistency, or you can stir in a tiny splash of water if needed.
Can You Freeze This Beet Falafel? Absolutely!
Yes, this baked beet falafel is an excellent candidate for freezing, making it perfect for batch cooking and having healthy, ready-to-eat meals on hand whenever a craving strikes or you’re short on time. Freezing them uncooked and baking from frozen is often ideal for ultimate freshness, but cooked falafel also freezes beautifully.
To freeze, ensure the falafel balls are completely cooled if they were pre-baked. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze for about an hour until solid. This prevents them from sticking together. Once solid, transfer the falafel to a freezer bag or an airtight freezer-safe container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months without any loss of quality.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, there’s no need to thaw! You can reheat the frozen falafel directly from the freezer. Place them on a baking sheet and bake in a 350ºF (175ºC) oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave, though the texture might be softer. For best results, always opt for oven reheating from frozen.
Enjoy friends! If you make this delicious vegan beet falafel recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Your feedback truly helps us continue to create and share amazing plant-based recipes. Thanks so much!
Vegan Beet Falafel with Harissa Tahini Dressing
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Ingredients
Beet Falafel
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 cup flour – be that gluten free, einkorn or oat flour
- 1 cup roasted beets
- 2 cups chickpeas
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 5 cloves garlic
- 3 tablespoons lemon/lime
- 1 small onion, chopped
- Pita wrap, lettuce and tomato to serve
- Top with Harissa Tahini Dressing to spread on the pita wrap, found in the ebook!
Harissa Tahini Dressing
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon harissa paste
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
Instructions
Harissa Tahini Dressing
- Mix all the ingredients together in a blender or food processor. Spoon into a bowl and set aside until ready.
- In your food processor, combine all the Beet Falafel ingredients. Combine until everything has been thoroughly combined and it’s all pink, at least a minute. Scoop into a bowl if easier, and place it to the fridge to chill.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F/200°C. and let it sit in the fridge while the oven preheats. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or with your silicone mat.
- Powder your hands with the flour so they don’t stick. Take the dough out the fridge, scoop some dough in your hands (about a tablespoon) and roll into a ball. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Place the ball on the
cookie sheet and continue until finished. - Place the sheet into the oven and bake the falafel balls for 20 minutes. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
- For each pita wrap:
1 pita wrap, add lettuce, chopped parsley, chopped onions, and chopped tomatoes on the bottom. Add about 4 falafel balls into each wrap, and drizzle your Harissa Tahini Sauce on top. Enjoy!
Notes
How to freeze: Freeze falafel in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. It can be reheated from frozen in a 350ºF oven for about 15 minutes or in the microwave.
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.