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5.0 from 30 votes

Tempeh & Walnut Falafel

From ingredients to enjoyment, this recipe makes it easy to create something wonderful.

Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
1 hr 22 mins
Servings: 22 falafel with sauce
Calories: 113 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

Tempeh & Walnut Falafel
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal
  • 1 (8-ounce) block of organic tempeh
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/4 cup Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • 2/3 cup raw walnuts
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 3 tablespoons almond flour or almond meal
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or oil of choice)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
  • 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in water overnight, or quick soaked in boiling water for 1 hour)
  • 2/3 cup canned “lite” coconut milk
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/2 of medium unpeeled cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped

Instructions

Make the Tempeh & Walnut Falafel.
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare the flax egg: Mix 1 tablespoon ground flax meal with 2 ½ tablespoons warm water and let sit for 15 minutes to thicken.
  3. Cook the onion and garlic. Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat with a touch of olive oil. Add the onions and cook for 3 minutes, until just starting to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until golden. Take off the heat.
  4. Using your hands, crumble the tempeh (doesn’t need to be too finely crumbled).
  5. Make the falafel dough. Add the crumbled tempeh to a food processor and pulse until it is finely broken down. Next, add the cilantro, parsley, basil, and walnuts and process until the ingredients start to blend together. Then, add the cooked onion and garlic, prepared flax egg, almond flour, 2 tablespoons olive oil, sesame seeds, salt, pepper to taste, cayenne pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and baking soda. Blend until combined and the mixture sticks together.
  6. Place the dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Otherwise, it will be sticky and more difficult to handle.
  7. Spoon the refrigerated dough into approximately 22 falafel balls (one heaping tablespoon of dough for each). Place the falafel on the prepared baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes, turning halfway through baking time, until browned on both sides.
Make the Vegan Tzatziki.
  1. Drain the soaked cashews and pat dry to remove moisture. Place the cashews in a high-powered blender or food processor. Add the lite coconut milk, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, salt, onion powder, and garlic. Blend until thoroughly combined and smooth, ensuring there are no remaining pieces of cashews. This should take 1-2 minutes in a blender, or 3-4 minutes in a food processor.
  2. Transfer the dip into a serving bowl. Mix in the diced cucumber, chopped dill, parsley, and mint. Stir to combine. Taste for seasonings.
Serve the falafel in a pita, on a rice bowl, with veggies and herbs and drizzle with vegan tzatziki.

Nutrition Information

Calories 113kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Sodium 164mg (7%) Potassium 144mg (4%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 224IU (4%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 22falafel with sauce

Amount Per Serving

Calories 113

% Daily Value*

Calories 113kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Sodium 164mg 7%
Potassium 144mg 3%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 224IU 4%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.