Gluten Free Falafel Bowls

Gluten free Falafel Bowls are everything you'd expect from a falafel, without the gluten filled wrap. They're a high fibre, nutrient dense bowl of goodness and this one has two sauces: a pomegranate tahini sauce and a pomegranate salad dressing. They're so delicious I couldn't just pick one!

this gluten free recipe

Serve these with kebabs like Greek souvlaki made with pork or chicken, or add za'atar spices for an authentic middle eastern taste.

Ingredients

The beauty of food bowls is that you can change the ingredients based on what's in your fridge, what you like and what's in season. Choose enough variety to make your bowls interesting. Meat and other proteins are always optional.

• Cooked rice or quinoa
• Fresh spinach or arugula - A little adds variety, lots makes it more salad like.
• Falafel balls - Follow link to see my recipe made with soaked chickpeas (no cooking required). There are GF falafel mixes available on Amazon.
• Raw veggies: tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and radishes.
• Baked, grilled or roasted: peppers, zucchini or eggplant
• Extra: Kalamata olives, roasted chickpeas, parsley 
• OPTIONAL: Pork or chicken souvlaki or the same meat with za'atar spice (recipe below).

Pomegranate Tahini Sauce & Dressing

• tahini paste
• lemon juice
• Pomegranate molasses - Similar to balsamic glaze this is an ingredient worth finding.
• garlic
• Ground sumac - Find this spice at a Mediterranean food shop.
• olive oil
• honey

See recipe card for full ingredient list and exact amounts.

Za'atar Spice Blend

I make this Middle Eastern spice blend, and most spice blends, from scratch. This keeps my collection of spice bottles to a minimum (yes, I have LOTS) and keeps the supply moving.

• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• ​​​​​​​1 Tbsp ground cumin
• ​​​​​​​1 Tbsp ground coriander
• ​​​​​​​1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• ​​​​​​​1 Tbsp sumac
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon chile flakes

Instructions for Homemade Falafel Balls

Falafel balls are not as hard as you think, seriously! You do not have to cook the chickpeas, you simply soak them. Here's the 3-step process.

1. Buy dried chickpeas (usually a 1 pound bag). Dump them into a large bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight.
2. The next day drain the chickpeas and combine in a food processor with the remaining ingredients. Puree then scoop into balls. Bake or pan fry and you’re done.

This recipe for Falafel Bowls includes all the fixins' for the bowl plus two sauces. Click here for the recipe to make falafel balls. I make a big batch and keep them in the freezer to make these bowls.

Family Style Falafel Bowls

For everyday meals prepare the basic bowl with a few ingredients like rice, spinach and falafel balls. This step is perfect when you want to divide a particular ingredient among all the bowls (the last 12 falafel balls out of the freezer). Serve the remaining ingredients and sauces on platters at the table family style.

DIY Falafel Bowls for a Party

Create a gorgeous buffet and let guests build their own bowls DIY style. This is fun but it's also ideal for groups with different dietary needs and preferences. For a big crowd serve the sauces at the table so no one has to get up for more of that deliciousness.

Meat Filled Bowls

This is a fabulous vegetarian bowl but to meet everyone's dietary requirements and preferences you can add meat. Cook pork kebabs with za'atar spice blend and time it so the meat comes off the barbecue when everyone is seated.

Stocking A Gluten Free Pantry

There may be a few ingredients you don't have but I can help you use them up if you add them to your pantry. These are the less common ingredients I used:

• Tahini is a staple for anyone who makes hummus. It should be a single ingredient, just sesame seeds.
• Buy pomegranate molasses on Amazon (find more ways to use it in this post, Pomegranate Molasses.)
• When you buy za’atar spice blend check for gluten free; for anyone allergic to sesame I found a sesame-free za'atar. I have all the spices in my kitchen so I just made it myself.
• Gluten free sumac was easy to find online and also in a grocery store with a large section of ethnic foods. I already had some in my pantry for the dressing that goes with this Harvest Jewelled Salad.

Are you ready to make Falafel Bowls? Start with what you think is simple and just give it a try. I'd love to see a picture!

Gluten Free Falafel Bowls

Falafel Bowls are a healthy, high fibre dinner. It's a Middle Eastern bowl with all the fillings of a falafel, minus the gluten-filled wrap.

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keyword: falafel bowls

Author: Cinde Little

Ingredients

BASE LAYER

• ▢ Cooked rice or quinoa
• ▢ Fresh spinach or arugula
• ▢ falafel balls see notes for link to recipe

RAW & COOKED VEGGIES - choose a minimum of 5

• ▢ Raw: chopped tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and radishes.
• ▢ Baked, grilled or roasted: peppers, zucchini or eggplant
• ▢ Extra: Kalamata olives, roasted chickpeas, chopped parsley (link for roasted chickpeas in NOTES)

POMEGRANATE TAHINI SAUCE

• ▢ 3½ tablespoon tahini paste
• ▢ 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ 4 tablespoon water (more if needed)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
• ▢ 1 small garlic clove, minced

POMEGRANATE SALAD DRESSING

• ▢ 1½ teaspoon ground sumac
• ▢ ¼ cup olive oil
• ▢ 3 tablespoon lemon juice
• ▢ 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• ▢ 2 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
• ▢ 1 tablespoon honey
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

POMEGRANATE TAHINI SAUCE

• Whisk all ingredients together and set aside.

POMEGRANATE SALAD DRESSING

• Whisk all ingredients together and set aside.

PREPARE VEGETABLES

• Cut vegetables as desired.

ASSEMBLING FALAFEL BOWLS

• Add base layer of rice and greens to each bowl.
• Add falafel balls and a small dish of Pomegranate Tahini Sauce (or hummus if desired).
• Arrange a variety of veggies on top alternating colours to create a beautiful bowl.
• Serve Pomegranate Salad Dressing on the side.

Notes

Link to recipe for Falafel Balls with tahini sauce.

Link to recipe for Roasted Chickpeas.

Tried this recipe?Mention @everyday.gf.gourmet!