These easy keto falafels are just the thing for a delicious lunch or dinner! Packed full of healthy veggies, tasty nuts and seeds, and yummy spices!
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Keto Falafels
Can you believe that until this week, I had never had a falafel before? Like never! I was asked several times if I could come up with a keto falafel recipe, so I had to figure out just what a regular falafel was.
It was actually super easy to come up with an easy falafel recipe and let me just say that it was well worth it. How have I never tried these before?
What Are Keto Falafels Made With?
Many keto and low carb recipe creators will make falafels with cauliflower rice only as the base.
I personally think mixing cauliflower and broccoli together really enhances the flavor. Then we add to that some nuts and seeds, with some egg, spices, and toasted almond flour.
If you’ve never toasted almond flour before, you are in for a treat. It really enhances the flavor and adds a whole new dimension to such a simple ingredient. Check out my article on How to Toast Almond Flour to see how easy it is!
Non keto falafels normally have a base of chickpeas (otherwise known as garbanzo beans).
How To Make Broccoli Rice
Did you even know there was such a thing as broccoli rice? Well, there is! It generally isn’t something you’ll find in a store, but occasionally you will.
You don’t need to buy it that way because it is really easy to make at home. You make it the same way you would make cauliflower rice.
Cut the broccoli into florets, pop them in a blender, pulse a few times and you are good to go!
Are Falafels Carb Free?
No, falafels are certainly not carb free. Now, these keto falafels are definitely low carb but still are not carb free. These are about 3g net carbs per patty which is pretty good!
How To Store Keto Falafels
If you don’t finish your falafels when you make them, simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge and you are good to go. Warm them up or eat them cold when you are ready for falafel leftovers!
If you have a food saver, you can easily freeze them for a later date as well.
How To Toast Almond Flour
If you missed it above and you aren’t sure how to toast almond flour, it is super easy! Check out How To Toast Almond Flour for a quick demo!
How To Make Keto Falafels
Are you ready for how simple this recipe is? First, you will want to make broccoli rice and cauliflower rice with your food processor.
Next, coarsely chop your almonds in a food processor as well.
Once those are done, you simply mix everything together in a bowl and make sure it is combined really well
Now is time to form your falafels. This recipe makes 7 (even though you only see 6). I like even numbers and could not position 7 such that it make me feel good! I know, I’m weird!
You don’t want them too tall or else the middle part of the sides may not get browned. That is more of an aesthetics thing though and won’t affect the taste.
Now you can heat up your coconut oil and start the frying process.
The frying time is totally dependent on how hot your oil is. I tried not to make it TOO hot, so I kept it just above medium.
It took about 4 minutes per side to get it nice and done.
BOOM! You are done. Now you can top with your favorite falafel sauce and you are ready to go!
Falafel Nutrition
There is a full nutrition carb below the recipe, but in short, the nutrition is as follows:
Calories 95
Net Carbs 3
Fat 7
Protein 5
What to Serve With Keto Falafels
Falafels are so versatile that you eat them as the main course or as a side dish. If you want them as a main dish, then some fluffy keto buns would be a great side! Another option is a keto Cesear salad.
If you want to eat them as a side dish and you want to make a full dinner out of delicious homemade patties, you absolutely must try this Old Bay crab cake recipe. Why not have a full place of circular food?!?!
Best Low Carb Sauces For Keto Falafels
Falafels
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cauliflower rice
- 1/2 cup raw broccoli “rice” see post description above
- 1/4 cup [hemp hearts
- 1/4 cup almond slivers
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup toasted almond flour see post above if you need to know how to toast it
- 2 tablespoons green onions finely diced
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon finely ground pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic optional
- Coconut oil for frying.
Instructions
- If you are starting with cauliflower florets and/or broccoli florets. Pulse raw florets in a food processor to get "rice". Measure out 1/2 cup each of cauliflower rice and broccoli rice.
- Add cauliflower rice and broccoli rice to a medium bowl.
- Add almond slivers to food processor and pulse a few times to get them coursely ground.
- Add hemp hearts, almonds, eggs, almond flour, cumin, salt, and pepper to the bowl and mix well.
- Form 7 patties that are about 1/2 inch thick and 2 inches in diameter.
- Heat coconut oil in frying pan over medium heat. How much depends on the size of your frying pan. You want the coconut oil to cover about 1/3-1/2 the falafel when set in the pan.
- (optional) Add minced garlic and let get fragrant. Remove garlic or just let it stay in there and burn. Either is fine. We just want to infuse the oil with some garlic.
- Once the oil is hot, add falafels to the pan a few at a time.
- Fry each side for about 4-5 minutes. This time GREATLY varies depending on the heat of the oil. Just pay attention to the first round and allow it to get golden or dark golden brown.
- Serve on their own or with your favorite sauce (see post above for suggestions)
Nutrition
Trina Krug is a Holistic Nutritionist, Integrative Health Coach and host of the Carbless Conversations Podcast. With a Master’s Degree in Complementary and Alternative Medicine, her single mission in life is to facilitate self-healing in herself and those around her through awareness, lifestyle shifts and low-carb eating. As a current Doctor of Science student, she continues her studies in functional nutrition.
