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Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 8
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 99.7
  • Total Fat: 4.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 147.0 mg
  • Total Carbs: 15.2 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4.6 g
  • Protein: 4.3 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Baked Falafel calories by ingredient
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Baked Falafel

Submitted by: SP_STEPF
Baked Falafel

Introduction

Use all chickpeas if you don't have fava beans. If you use canned beans, the sodium levels will be higher so omit the salt. Use all chickpeas if you don't have fava beans. If you use canned beans, the sodium levels will be higher so omit the salt.
Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients

    1 cup cooked fava beans
    1 cup cooked chickpeas
    3 cloves garlic
    1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
    handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
    1 lemon, juiced and zested
    1 t baking powder
    2 T ground cumin
    1 T ground coriander
    1 t black pepper
    1/4 t salt
    1/4 cup whole wheat flour
    2 T olive oil

Tips

Serving size is one ball/patty, but feel free to eat more than one!

Like this recipe? It's part of our first official e-book, "Easy Vegan Meals by SparkPeople: The No-Stress, No-Guilt Way to Reap The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet". Click here to learn more, then download or preview a copy!


Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the beans in a food processor and pulse until they are crumbled but not mushy. Add the garlic, onions, lemon juice and zest, spices, parsley, baking powder, salt and pepper. Pulse until just combined. Transfer to a bowl and add flour as needed. The mixture should stick together but not be dry. Depending on the texture of your beans, you might need to add more or less flour.

Drizzle olive oil on a baking sheet. Form mixture into balls or patties, each slightly larger than a golf ball (just less than 1/4 cup each).

Bake 20 minutes, flip and bake another 15 minutes, until falafel are browned on both sides and crispy on the outside.

Serve with lemon-tahini dressing.









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Member Ratings For This Recipe

  • HOLLYMOLLY1386

    Good
    16 of 23 people found this review helpful
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    There is mention in the directions that a serving is one ball, but to feel free to eat more than one. One is 66 calories. 4 is still only 264, still easily within what a meal should be. People who are saying the is misleading are just too lazy to pay attention.

    Yummy recipe. Don't skip the parsle - 9/6/12

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  • COMINGUPERIN

    Very Good
    15 of 16 people found this review helpful
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    Very good and very easy. I would add more lemon and parsley to make it a little more zesty. I used canned chick peas (no fava beans). Who knew falafel could be so easy and low-calorie? - 2/20/12

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  • SMARTOAK

    Good
    11 of 15 people found this review helpful
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    Why do SP chefs routinely use confusing stock images instead of photos of the actual recipe? The depicted falafel are clearly random deep-fried ones, and look nothing like what the recipe outcome is. How hard can it be?
    Come on... - 2/12/13

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  • CHAVAJANE

    Very Good
    8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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    It is much easier if you change the order of the ingredients. Put the garlic in the food processor first and chop, then put in the onions until chopped then add the beans. This makes the recipe much easier...AVOID CHOPPING! - 4/11/13

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  • HOPEFILL

    Very Good
    8 of 8 people found this review helpful
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    I made these with all chickpeas, no favas. It looked like an awful lot of coriander and cumin when I was putting this together, but it turned out to be just fine. I did add a bit of cayenne, but no lem zest. The parsley was key and I used a lot! All in all, pretty tasty served with cuke and tomato. - 7/15/12

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  • CUBBYMAMMA

    Very Good
    8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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    I was out of onions (of all things!) so used a carrot to add some heft back into the mix. I didn't use the oil at all but just sprayed my pan so they didn't look as crunchy as the picture. Yum! Served over salad w/lemon tahini sauce (lightened version). Will make again! - 3/20/12

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  • MEDIAMOM1


    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
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    Amazingly delicious - threw everything into the food processor, used gluten free flour and some Cayenne and curry - took like 15 mins from 2 cans of chick peas to awesome patties...thanks!
    - 5/21/12

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  • JANESA


    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    For better and more authentic textured falafel, don't cook the chickpeas, just soak them overnight in water and then use them without cooking. - 4/11/13

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  • GRAPHICS2


    4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    I tried this recipe recently, and found it delicious, and easy. I am trying to have two vegetarian days each week, and this recipe will be on the menu often. - 10/1/12

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  • SUN-AND-RAIN

    Incredible!
    4 of 5 people found this review helpful
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    Do you use dried (and cooked) fava beans or do you use fresh favas? - 5/26/11

    Reply from SP_STEPF (1/24/12)
    I used dried because fresh were out of season. You could use either.


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  • SBOUDREAU25

    Very Good
    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    Just tried this with tzatziki sauce and I think it's a winner. - 10/1/12

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  • J_O_J_O


    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    ok, where I work I make lunch for 20 or so people on fridays. what a knockout these were. the comments were worth making them. - 2/2/13

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  • LA1975


    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    in some other countries the fava bean is called broad bean. This may help some who have never heard of it. - 1/20/13

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  • X_KAREBEAR_X

    Incredible!
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    So tasty. I didn't find the herbs were overpowering, I actually added extra. I also used only chickpeas (canned) and it was so quick and easy to make. My husband loved them too. - 1/10/13

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  • DAINALYNN

    Incredible!
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    Delicious! I skipped the lemon zest (still tangy with just the juice) and added cayenne. I used Gluten-free AP flour - a bit more than 1/4 cup. Used dried/cooked chickpeas only. Next time, I will make 2 batches and freeze. I had no idea that falafel were so easy to make myself! - 1/6/13

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  • NOTTINGHAMKATE


    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    After reading the comments below I decided to try adding a carrot to the mix - and it was fab! I added just under a tablespoon of oil to the mix but didn't coat them with any extra when I baked them. They still came out fine but a little dry. Would serve with a sauce anyway. It's a keeper! - 12/9/12

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  • LEXDAWG25

    Good
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    The batter for the falafels tasted pretty great, but following these directions, I ended up with very gooey insides. I know now that I needed to add a bit more flour. - 9/8/12

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  • 1234MOM


    2 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    I've made falafel before but never with fava beans. Never seen fava beans in the store. Do you get these at a regular grocery or at a specialty store? - 2/20/12

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  • GVLAKERGIRL

    O.K.
    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    My son said it was "ok" (though he didn't want to eat any more than the 1 ball I made him try at lunch), my husband didn't like them at all. I thought the seasonings were overpowering. :( It was nice to try something new though. - 2/18/12

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  • STELLAKEME

    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    I cut back on the cumin a little and it was YUMMY! I had to bake them less, because my oven is small. Served it with a cup of basmati rice and a tahini-lemon sauce, to which I added dill. Good thing I made two batches of batter and kept the 2nd refrigerated to bake tommorow! - 3/5/13

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  • WILDWILDCAT

    Very Good
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    I enjoyed this recipe, never had falafels before. Tried to make my own sauce,no tahini or seeds...may try a taziki next time. - 10/5/12

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  • CECELW


    1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    This is sooo delicious! I can't believe all the negative comments about the recipe photos. They are just photos to enhance the look of the finished product...not necessarily serving as ize. People complain about the dumbest things! - 9/20/12

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  • GOGOMAMA

    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Really good! Thanks! - 2/28/12

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  • TEMPENATIVE


    1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    wheres the lemon tahini dressing?
    - 2/21/12

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  • OZIETWIN

    Very Good
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    Made these, didn't have fresh lemon but always have my own preserved lemons - tasted great! Fresh and bright. The boys loved it too! I had no idea these would be so easy to make! Thank you for sharing the recipe. - 4/30/13

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  • SNIC23

    Incredible!
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    These are fantastic! We added crushed red pepper, about 1 tsp because we like them a little on the spicy side. We also use only chick peas, no fava beans. I love that these are baked and not fried but they still come out crispy and browned. We had these with Nancy's Easy Tzatziki sauce, also great! - 4/17/13

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  • PARACZKY

    Incredible!
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    Used a 15 oz. can of chickpeas rinsed and drained and no favas. Pressed into "burgers." Delicious. Will become a staple in our house. - 4/13/13

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  • AMYCZCOM

    Very Good
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    I made this for lunch today and it was a hit with my husband. He said you can make this again whenever you want. It is so easy and tasty. I was able to get 26 servings out of one recipe. Three fit into one half pita. I also made the lemon tahini dressing all was very good. - 4/12/13

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  • COUNTRYGIRL225


    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    I will try this recipe. - 4/11/13

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  • ROBERTAUP

    Incredible!
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    I love this! - 3/1/13

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  • RUTHYLP

    Bad
    0 of 8 people found this review helpful
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    Better not to cooked the bean. 24 hours in water.
    You can find fresh bean at Asian markets Fava is more rare and try it with trash.
    I'm going to buy today and create my recipe by tomorrow. - 11/20/12

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  • GREENY652


    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    would I be able to make a sort of patty out of it instead of the golf balls? or will it not turn out the same?
    - 10/19/12

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  • FITGRL124

    O.K.
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    These did not turn out as "balls" I ended up just using them as crunchiness for my salad. They tasted good though. - 9/17/12

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  • MAURMAUR

    Very Good
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    very good. served with tzatziki, tomato, pita, lettuce, and feta. next time i'll make a few adjustments-a little less cumin and garlic, more parsley. love the lemon flavor in these. also, the temp and cook times don't work for my oven, so adjust according to your settings. oil isn't necessary. - 8/23/12

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  • BARBJEANK


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    Can't wait to give this recipe a try..Thank you.. for another tempting dish.. :) - 8/12/12

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  • CHICA_BORICUA


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    for those who have never seen "flava" beans. If you go to the supermarket - Wal-mart, Giant Food, Safeway, Shoppers, Wegmans go to the packed bean or canned bean section and you'll find it. Also the latino section also has it. - 7/15/12

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  • CAROLC64


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    This sounds delicious-will have to adapt it to be gluten free, but that's not hard to do. - 7/4/12

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  • WORKOUTG


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    I have food allergies and wondered if I could use red and black beans for this recipe. - 6/5/12

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  • BECKYH76

    Incredible!
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    Superb falafel - best I have had! - 6/1/12

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  • ANIMATED71


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    Where do you get fava beans? I have never seen them in my local market. Are they canned? - 5/2/12

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  • FLOWINGWATER

    Incredible!
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    Best falafel recipe I've ever tried. Usually they are so dry and tasteless. Not these! We had the burger version, and they were fabulous with avocado and tomato. This recipe is destined to appear regularly on the family menu! BTW, we used dried (and cooked) fava and garbanzo beans. - 4/26/12

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  • MAERETH

    Incredible!
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    I used all chick peas and it came out great! It was much better than I thought it would be! Definitely will be making again. - 4/23/12

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  • BEECHNUT13

    Incredible!
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    This is really tasty! - 4/18/12

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  • DMRYAN11

    Very Good
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    Very tastey recipe! Will definitely make this again! - 4/15/12

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  • JASPERDOODLE

    Very Good
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    Mmmm! - 4/15/12

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  • ELIZB01

    Incredible!
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    Very good! I had it in a pita with lettuce and tzatziki sauce...Yum! - 4/13/12

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  • LEANJEAN6

    Good
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    Quite good--first time Ive made these- - 4/11/12

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  • PATRICIAANN46

    Very Good
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    Very good. I had never had Fava Beans before. - 4/11/12

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  • FRANCES-AGAPE

    Incredible!
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    I LOVE Mediterranean food ! - 4/11/12

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  • DMSGLASS


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    Love falafel!!! - 4/11/12

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  • DIAMONDFOOLER

    Good
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    What if you don't have a food processor? How can you get the same results?
    - 4/11/12

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  • BONNYR


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    can use just the chick peas! - 4/11/12

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  • SUGARSMOM2


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    great for a change of pace meal family favortite . - 4/10/12

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  • REDDBETSY

    Incredible!
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    Decided last minute to make a double batch and was low on garbanzos (had no favas). Used 1/2 Garbanzos and 1/2 Great Northern Beans. I think I processed mine too long, but they were Really Good! Made them with Nancy's Easy Tzatziki http://recipes.sparkpeople.com
    /recipe-detail.asp?recipe=
    809319 - 4/1/12

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  • EGYPTFREAK

    Incredible!
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    Made this tonight and it was delicious. All chickpeas, lots of cilantro instead of parsley, and served on my homemade pita bread (uploaded to sparkrecipes). Love it! will make this again, but maybe add jalapenos next time? - 3/28/12

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  • DONNASEEFEE


    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Iteresting. I am going to try this with combinations of other beans, black beans and garbanzos as well as tofu. Thanks for the ideas. - 3/18/12

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  • GRACE813

    Incredible!
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    Finally! A falafel recipe that works! Enjoyed it, will spice it up a bit more next time -but all in all easy to make and very tasty! - 3/18/12

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  • CLAYLADY01


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    I make falafal sandwichs just for me ,hubby doesn't like mid eastern food of any kind.I love falafels but make mine with white flour tortillas or whole wheat and make small patties with the falafal mix,I cook mine in a little olive oil instead of baking them,so much flavor and much faster. - 2/27/12

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  • RAMBLE05

    Incredible!
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    By far and away the best falafel I have every had!!! Didn't have any coriander, so subbed in cilantro and served it on Flatout bread. Will for sure make again. - 2/23/12

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  • JOHELF


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    Can't wait to try. Should be good, flavorful, easy-on-the-calorie-level, filling meal. - 2/20/12

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  • PRAIRIECROCUS


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    This is SO delicious, and nutritious !
    Thanks ! - 2/17/12

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  • JOYFULMN


    0 of 2 people found this review helpful
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    I'd like to try this. - 2/5/12

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  • AISHGLOW1

    Good
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    good 1
    - 2/5/12

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  • JENNINOMAN

    Incredible!
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    I really liked these a lot! - 6/18/11

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  • THECHAUFFEUR

    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    These were really great! Fantastic flavor, just crispy enough to make them good without being fried. Great with the dressing too. Used all chickpeas, no fava beans. - 3/28/12

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