Vegetarians and vegans enjoy falafel as a substitute for meat-based foods. It’s versatile and also an excellent source of protein. Meals can be creative and can include anything from spaghetti and meatballs to sloppy Joes. Tantalize your taste buds, and awaken your palate to the new wonders of falafel recipes!

Vegan Falafel Curry

This falafel dish, with its creamy curry sauce, has a delicious Indian twist.

First, form the falafel into 10 small balls. Fry them in vegetable oil for 2-3 minutes on medium to high heat until crispy. Next, make the sauce.

To make the sauce, you’ll need:

• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 ½ cups canned coconut milk (full-fat)
• ¼ tsp each of salt, ginger powder and curry powder
• 1/8 tsp onion powder

Combine sauce ingredients in a large pot, and cook 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened. You can also substitute different spices like chopped onion or masala blend. Gently add the falafel balls to the sauce, spooning the sauce over the falafel. Serve over basmati rice with fresh ginger garnish and pita bread on the side!

Falafel Waffles

Don’t worry. These waffles won’t load you down with sugar. They’re a fun take on breakfast waffles, using hummus or tahini as “syrup.” Simply spray a light oil mist on your falafel maker surfaces, spread the falafel batter to your waffle maker, and voila! You have a crispy falafel waffle ready to be topped off with Tahini or Tzatziki, chopped cucumber and tomato.

Spaghetti and Falafel Balls

This one is for all you Italian food lovers out there: a spaghetti dish with falafel “meatballs.”

Cook some of your favorite spaghetti noodles.

Form the falafel into small balls and pan fry for 2-3 minutes in vegetable oil over medium to high heat until crispy.

Top the spaghetti with falafel balls, and spoon your favorite marinara sauce over the top. You can also add sautéed onions or mushrooms to the sauce for a heartier dish. Sprinkle with some vegan parmesan cheese and serve with fresh basil garnish.

Pumpkin Falafel Balls With Maple Tahini Dressing

If you’re in the mood for the flavors of fall, this dish is for you.

Did you know you can add ingredients to a falafel mix to give it a new dimension in flavor? Try mixing in canned pumpkin puree and cinnamon for a delightful autumn flavor. Form the falafel into small balls and pan fry.

To make the maple tahini dressing, you’ll need:

• ¼ cup tahini sauce
• 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
• ½ tablespoon maple syrup

Stir the ingredients together, adding water if needed to thin the sauce. Place the falafel balls over a bed of mixed greens and drizzle with the dressing. Add cranberries and walnuts to the greens for even more fall flavor.

Falafel Sloppy Joe

Calling all vegan barbeque lovers! Do you love the taste of barbecue, but want to hold off the beef? Try this mouthwatering falafel dish with a sweet, southern twist.

To make the sloppy Joe sauce, you’ll need:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• ¼ onion finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 15 oz crispy falafel coarsely chopped
• 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons tamari
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Dash of black pepper
• Dash of cayenne powder (if desired)

Heat vegetable oil in a pan, and then add vegetables. Set the falafel aside, and add the other ingredients, stirring over medium to high heat for 10 minutes until the sauce reaches desired thickness. Lastly, add the falafel and stir gently.

Spoon the sloppy Joe mixture onto toasted whole wheat hamburger buns and enjoy!

There are so many fun and tasty ways to serve falafel. Get creative. Who knows? Maybe you’ll invent a few new falafel recipes of your own!