These roasted beet falafel are a lovely, delicious snack loaded with antioxidants and proteins with all the goodness of beets and garbanzo beans. This vegan falafel with its vibrant color from the root veggie is an amazing appetizer/snack for any day!
Why roasted beet falafel?
Falafel is an amazing snack! This is like our traditional masala vada, the difference being that masala vada is made with split bengal gram. Garbanzo beans are also rich in proteins and this snack is addictive. You can never say no to this!
Absolutely, this is the best with its color and a perfect texture. The only point is to plan as this needs soaking. Falafel is always made by soaking the beans and grinding, then deep frying.
Using canned, cooked beans may sound great, but the texture will be different, it will be like patties. So, if you want authentic falafel, soak your garbanzos and enjoy an amazing snack!
Beetroot is an amazing winter root veggie and is an excellent source of iron, folate, Vitamin C, manganese, and potassium. This amazing veggie loaded with nutrition also adds a magical color to any food that you make with it, just like in this Beetroot Pulao, a one pot meal, which has a lovely pink color. This vibrant veggie is one of my favorites and apparently, there will be a beetroot recipe every week in our home.
In this recipe, I use roasted beets as they add a beautiful vibrant color. It is easy to roast the beets in the oven. I roast them often at home, however, if you are facing time constraints, store bought roasted beets would also be ideal to use in this recipe. But cooked beets can also be used, make sure not to add liquid, because the falafel batter may become runny resulting in challenges with shaping and frying.
Ingredients for the rosted beet falafel
Garbanzo beans - these protein rich beans are the base of the falafel.
Roasted beets - rich in antioxidants, roasted beets add a sweet and earthy flavor along with a vibrant color.
Salt - gives flavor
Sesame seeds - adds nutty flavor and a crunchy texture
Tahini - Enhances the nutty flavor
Garlic and onion - these two bulbs add tons of flavor to the falafel
Lemon juice - the acid balances the flavors
Cumin - add a touch of earthy flavor
Black pepper and cayenne - these two give the spicy kick
Herbs - dill and parsley add immense aroma and flavor
Water - to soak the beans
Oil - to deep fry the falafel. Neutral flavored oil will work the best.
Rice flour - acts as a binder and makes this falafel, gluten free.
Can this roasted beet falafel be made ahead?
If you are serving this for a party, make the batter and refrigerate the day before, however do not keep it longer as the onions will ooze out more liquids and the color of the falafel may not be great. Just before frying add a pinch of baking soda, fry and set it on the table. Since a part of this can be made ahead, it is easier to make this one.
Serving Suggestion
If you are wondering what to serve this falafel with, then the answer is simple. This is a great snack as such. But very delicious when you serve it with tzatziki or hummus like Beetroot Hummus.
Storage
You can store any leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can warm them in the oven or airfryer and serve. Though you can refry them, I do not prefer it. Airfrying gives perfect results. They are great to freeze as well.
Falafel is not only an amazing snack. This can be made into sandwiches and wraps too! Amazing, right? I love to use this for creative ideas. Slice them open, add a few veggies and dip and make bread free sandwiches! They are fun to serve.
Make a delicious salad with leftovers, if any! The salad will be the most comforting and tastiest salad you'd ever want.
More Falafel Recipes
This falafel is a variation of the authentic Mediterranean Falafel but with added roasted beetroot. Many variations are often around the regions and with different names around the region.
Sudanese Tamia, a Sudan version of falafel, is equally delicious. The method is different but the add-ins or herbs, spices differ, but delicious either way.
Adding my own spin on falafel helps me create unique variations with seasonal produce or regional flair.
Butternut Squash Methi Falafel
More Beetroot Recipes
Roasted beets add a lovely color to the food and obviously it is a great choice to make some pink colored food for Valentine’s day.
Valentine Recipe Ideas
Beets add a beautiful color to any food made with it thus making it one of the ideal Valentine themed foods. In addition, you can make colored foods with berries and rose. If you are looking for more Valentine Theme Food ideas, here are a few amazing ones:
White Chocolate Strawberry Bomb
Soft White Chocolate Strawberry Fudge
Triple Chocolate M&M Giant Heart Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 cup Roasted beet chopped
- 1 cup Garbanzo beans dried
- ¼ cup Dill leaves
- 2 tbsp Tahini
- 2 tbsp Rice flour
- 2 tbsp Parsley
- 1½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cayenne
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 2 tbsp Water
- ½ cup Red onion chopped
- ⅛ tsp Baking soda optional
- 1 tbsp Sesame seeds toasted
- 3-4 cups Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Soak the garbanzo beans for 8 hours, rinse, drain and set aside.Add all the ingredients except oil and sesame seeds to food processor and process to make a slightly coarse mixture.
- Transfer to a bowl, add sesame seeds and mix. At this pont it is okay to refrigerate if making falafels later.
- Add a pinch of baking soda, mix and make balls about one to one and a half tablespoons of mixture. This makes about 24.
- Heat oil in a pan on medium flame. Carefully drop the balls, 6 to 8 (or more) per batch depending on the size of pan. Fry till golden brown, flipping them. Repeat frying the rest of the falafels.
- Remove from oil,. Drain the falafels in paper towel. Switch off flame when deep frying is all done.
- Serve with hummus ot tzatziki.
Winter Root Vegetable Recipes
- Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Carrot Pie from Art of Natural Living
- Parmesan Crusted Carrots from Jen Around the World
- Roasted Beet and Crispy Goat Cheese Salad from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you're at it, join our Pinterest board, too!
Srividhya says
Including beets to falafel is a nice idea and I love that color. Between, I too compare falafel and our masal vadai 🙂
Helen Fern says
I can almost taste these now!! Thanks for sharing at My Big Fat Menopausal Life's Share the Wealth party. Have a fabulous week!
Helen Fern says
I can almost taste these now!! Thanks for sharing at My Big Fat Menopausal Life's Share the Wealth party. Have a fabulous week!
MySpicyKitchen says
Beets in falafel is a cool idea and totally in love with the color. Tasted reeally good and and picky eaters at home didn't even get the hint of beets except for the color.
Karen's Kitchen Stories says
These are gorgeous. I love the color!
magicalingrdnts says
Thanks Karen!
Inger says
I love this! Falafel is healthy in the first place but this takes it over the top!
magicalingrdnts says
Thanks Inger!