Crispy baked falafel over herbed grain with tahini and pickled onions
Falafel Grain Bowl
Falafel Grain Bowl
55 minMedium
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4
4 bowls
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Budget
$
Falafel Grain Bowl
Crispy baked falafel over herbed grain with tahini and pickled onions
A Mediterranean-inspired grain bowl with baked falafel, tabbouleh-style grains, pickled red onions, cucumbers, and a generous pour of tahini sauce.
30m
Prep Time
25m
Cook Time
55m
Total Time
4
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Making falafel at home is worth the effort when you bake them instead of frying. You lose a little crunch on the outside but gain a much simpler process and a lighter result. Paired with a herbed grain salad and a good tahini sauce, the bowl feels complete and satisfying without being heavy.
Quick-pickled red onions add brightness that cuts through the richness of the tahini, and the whole thing comes together in a way that feels like a proper meal rather than a side dish assembled into a bowl.
Ingredients
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained
- 1/2 cup parsley, packed
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups cooked bulgur or farro
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1
Pulse the chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, flour, salt, and pepper in a food processor until a coarse mixture forms.
- 2
Shape into balls and bake on an oiled sheet pan at 400F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- 3
Quick-pickle the sliced red onion in lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
- 4
Toss the cooked grain with diced cucumber, lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- 5
Divide the grain salad among bowls and top with falafel, pickled onions, and a generous drizzle of tahini thinned with water and lemon.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette
DepthPantry
Test Kitchen Pick
Tahini
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the tahini matters
Tahini can make or break texture. A smoother, better-balanced jar gives you creaminess without bitterness or a stubborn split texture.
This is one of the ingredients where texture quality shows up fast.
- Smoother texture in dressings and sauces
- Useful in dips, cookies, and grain bowls
A good tahini jar pays off well beyond a single recipe.
Shop tahini for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Do not over-process the falafel mixture — it should be coarse, not smooth.
These freeze well before baking.
Add a few cherry tomatoes or some harissa for more color.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave until hot.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 bowl) · 4 servings
Calories390
LowModerateHigh
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein16g
Carbohydrates54g
Fat13g
Fiber12g
Sugar6g
Sodium420mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this ahead?
- Yes. The components or finished dish hold well if properly chilled and stored.
- Can I adjust the seasoning?
- Yes. Taste near the end and adjust salt, acid, or heat so it suits the way you like to cook and eat.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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