Cheesy falafels may not sound so interesting, and they might not be something I’d have tried making on my own, had I not fallen in love with falafels in a Turkish restaurant in Takasaki, Japan. During my three months in this lovely city I became a frequent visitor at this restaurant with my work colleagues and friends.
I tried out a few dishes on the menu, but falafels were the first thing I tried upon the recommendation of others at my table, and it was my favourite dish there. My falafels aren’t the same, but I do think back to the good times I had in Japan every time I eat them.
These falafels aren’t fried, I bake them in the oven so that they are healthier. It also means there’s time to multi-task while they’re baking. A little time to tidy up the kitchen, read a book with my children, or have a cup of tea and get a moment’s relaxation.
Cheesy falafels ingredients
- 2X420g Tins of chick peas, drained and rinsed
- 1TBSP Plain flour
- 60g Cheddar, grated
- 1.5TBSP Dried mixed herbs (fresh would be great, but I use what I have on hand)
- 1 Egg
How to make Cheesy falafels
1) Preheat your oven to 180C. 2) Line a baking sheet with wax paper. 3) Place all ingredients into a food processor or use a hand mixer and blend until smooth. 4) Use a spoon to scoop out small mounds of the mixture onto the covered baking sheet. 5) Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. 6) Transfer the falafels with a spatula onto a rack to cool. 7) Store refrigerated in an airtight container or freeze in labelled freezer bags. Our family does like a little zip to our meals so we enjoy shaking in a little Tabasco sauce into our mixture to give it a little more flavour. The last time I made these I used a tablespoon of tomato paste. It added a nice flavour, but accounts for the orangey-ness of my photos! These falafels can be frozen with a layer of wax paper/grease proof paper between the layers to keep them from sticking together. They make a healthy snack for the kids with a little cup of salsa on the side. Of course, you can turn these into a filling meal for home or at school or work. In fact, my husband’s face lights up when he finds we’ve made him a packed lunch of falafels in pita bread for the next day!
To serve these as a meal, we like to toast up some whole wheat pita bread and slice it in half for filling. We add falafels, sliced cucumber, sliced tomatoes, and a little grated or sliced cheese. It may not be authentic, but we use either salsa or a salad dressing to dress these little falafel pita pockets up Caesar, garlic & herb, or whatever we happen to have open works for us and helps give a little change to the meal so it isn’t always just the same.
This is a fantastic meal to have your children help to prepare, even toddlers can help to cut the cucumbers with a butter knife, and preschoolers can learn to use a sharp knife under supervision. They’ll be so proud of their contribution to the meal, and this will help them to try something new and healthy. A real win-win situation! If you’re looking for more healthy lunch ideas, try one of these:
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Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says
This sounds great! Anything that my children can help with making is great! Thanks for sharing.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
Crystal McClean says
The little ones love to help and feel like they are contributing to the family and it only takes a little more time.
Have a great weekend yourself 🙂
TaMara says
I’ve never had falafels; I need to try them. Thanks for sharing at Tales of a Pee Dee Mama.
Crystal McClean says
These are a little different, but the whole family enjoys them, so what more can I want? Have a great weekend!
Tammy @ creativekkids.com says
These do sound good! I like hummus with chickpeas, so I am sure I would like these!
Crystal McClean says
I’m undecided about hummus myself, but it’s not bad if it’s a bit spicy 🙂 I hope you enjoy the falafels.
Jessica @ fantabulosity.com says
This would be the perfect side dish! I’m always looking for a new one!
Crystal McClean says
I’m always on the lookout, too! Feel free to share your favourites 😉
Rebekah says
These look awesome! I’m pinning the recipe, I think with the cheese in them my toddler will love them!
Crystal McClean says
You can’t go wrong with toddlers and cheese 🙂
Stephanie @ From the Burbs to the Boonies says
I LOVE falafel, but never imagined making it at home! I haven’t had it in ages, but now I’m hungry for some.
Crystal McClean says
I hope it lives up to your standards, Stephanie. Take care of yourself and your family, and please feel free to drop by anytime, the door’s always open 🙂
TheBargainBabe says
Yum! I’m going to have to try to make my own falafel. 🙂
Crystal McClean says
Please enjoy 🙂
Adelien says
Your bento with Falafels sounds really great. You should send me one. LOL
Crystal McClean says
A lunch swap sounds like fun 😉
Rachel says
Yum! We love falafel but have never made it. I will have to pin this so I can make them cheesy when we do:)
Crystal McClean says
They are surprisingly easy to make, enjoy!
Jill @ Called To Be A Mom says
These look so yummy! I love that you put them in the two containers.
Crystal McClean says
It’s funny that because we homeschool it’s a treat to ‘pack’ a lunch!
Jill says
Falafels are so yummy! This recipe is a must try.
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!
Crystal McClean says
Let me know what you think if you make them. Have a great week and see you again soon.
Lisa says
I have never tried these before. They look good. 🙂 Thanks for linking up with “Try a New Recipe Tuesday.” I hope you will be able to join us again this week.
Crystal McClean says
Thanks for hosting! We’ve your link up written down to stop by again soon, have a great week!
Jonathan says
I’m definitely going to make this (and pin it!). I absolutely love falafel but have never had cheese falafels before. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
Crystal McClean says
You’re very welcome, Jonathan 😉 They make a great snack or easy lunch and my children haven’t tired of them after more than a year. If you like spice, add a little chilli powder or tobasco to them for a little extra kick!
Lisa @ The Wellness Wife says
These sound and look so good. I wish my husband liked chickpeas. I just might have to make these and eat them all myself!
Crystal McClean says
My daughter and I aren’t fans of chickpeas, but we do like these. Just blend them VERY well so there aren’t any lumps and he may not even realise what they are made from 😉 On the other hand….you could just enjoy them yourself, there’s nothing wrong with that!