What is Falafel? Top 10 Falafel Questions Answered
Updated 8th Apr 2026
Thinking about falafel? We do that a lot. Mmm… falafel. They're one of the best-loved plant‑based foods in the world, crispy on the outside, soft and herby inside, and perfect in wraps, salads or mezze. But before we get distracted by the thought of biting into that deliciously textured, subtly spiced tastiness… oops. Now where were we? Oh yeah, about to answer some of your most frequently asked falafel questions. From what falafel balls are and how they're made, to how to cook falafel (and whether falafel is healthy), we’ve rounded up the top ten questions, and our top ten answers. Let’s get stuck in.
1. First up - what is falafel?
The origins of falafel lie in the Middle East. It’s been around so long that various countries claim to have been the first to come up with it. What we do know is that some clever person a long time ago had the idea of shaping ground chickpeas, herbs and spices into a small ball and cooking them until they crisped up on the outside yet stayed soft and fluffy on the inside. Genius. Today, we make two varieties, our Middle Eastern Plant-Based Falafels and our Moroccan Plant-Based Falafels.
2. Is falafel healthy?
100% plant-based, falafel are an awesome source of fibre! Chickpeas are a complex carbohydrate and are low in saturated fats. Traditionally fried, they can also be baked for a healthier snack. Like most foods, how you serve them makes a massive difference. Falafel is a great way to add bags of flavour to piles of crunchy salad (add all the salad you like). It’s often served with dressings, so slathering it in mayo will up the calories over a low-fat yogurt or tahini dressing.
3. What is falafel made from?
If you were paying close attention, you’ll have seen that the core ingredient of falafel is chickpeas. These are ground up, then smushed up with an array of tasty herbs and spices. Our Middle Eastern Plant-Based Falafels include classic flavours of cumin and coriander, plus a sprinkling of parsley and a touch of garlic. To add a North African flavour to our Moroccan Plant-Based Falafels, there's a mouthwatering spice mix. Think dates and apricot, paprika, garlic and chilli, plus a delicious dusting of cumin, coriander and ginger.
Perfect as a salad topping, our Butternut & Red Chilli Falafel Bites blend red pepper and red onion, harissa, and, of course butternut squash to achieve a Mediterranean-inspired twist. Yes, we even add a sprinkle of mozzarella.
4. What are the easiest and tastiest falafel recipe ideas?
Being asked what the tastiest anything is can be controversial. The only way to decide is surely to try every recipe for yourself! So here are some delicious falafel recipe ideas for you to get started on. And when you’ve tried every possible combination of ways to enjoy falafel, we’d love you to tell us the tastiest!
Let’s start with a classic Middle Eastern Mezze Platter. Pile on the olives and dates, stuff some vine leaves, and slice up celery, cucumbers and carrots. Don’t forget the baba ganoush and hummus, and, of course, the falafel balls! Perfect for parties, yet simple enough for snacking, this looks as amazing as it tastes. Salad fans might want to try our Carrot Ribbon Salad with Falafels or Kale, Pumpkin & Falafel Salad, or maybe make up a vegan Buddha Bowl like this one with avocado dressing. For something a little different, try these Falafel Traybake Tacos - ideal for a family dinner. Or perhaps start the day with a Shakshuka Breakfast with Falafels.
Super versatile as well as delicious, our falafels can be eaten as hot or cold mezze, perfect for vegans and vegetarians. So get creative, whether it’s a quick lunch, hearty dinner or prepping up party food. The tastiest falafel recipe ever might be the one you haven’t accidentally invented… yet.
5. How do you cook falafel?
Our tasty falafels are ready to eat right from the pack, (which can be tempting when you’ve a pile of them ready to warm up - sorry about that.) Because you can eat them cold, they’re a handy people-pleasing option for picnic baskets, lunch boxes, and quick, easy snacks.
Prefer your falafel hot? There are a few easy ways to cook them* (but always make sure to check the on-pack instructions):
Oven: 200°C for 12 minutes
Air fryer: 180°C for 10 minutes
Shallow fry: great for recipes that need extra crispness
Just make sure they’re lovely and hot all the way through from the crisp outer to their soft, delicious centre.
*Based on Middle Eastern Falafel
6. What’s best to serve with falafel?
There are sooo many fabulous foods for fantastic faff-free falafel dishes that we already wrote a blog called 'What to Serve with Falafel.' They work beautifully in mezze platters, as well as in wraps, with salads, and as snacks. One super easy way to think about what you serve with your falafels is the famous falafel rule of three (which we just made up). Add something from each of these three categories and you’ve mastered a falafel-based meal. Simply mix and match the foods you love.
Dips
Crumbly chickpea-based falafels are elevated by a saucy accompaniment. That may be something Middle Eastern inspired, like hummus, garlicky Lebanese toum, or baba ganoush. Or try it with some of your other much-loved sauces, such as chimichurri, creamy tzatziki, or sweet chilli sauce.
Carbs
Pita breads and wraps are a firm falafel favourite (with good reason). Homemade flatbreads can be surprisingly simple to make, so maybe try falafel with your own version. But if you want to switch from bread-based carbs, there are an abundance of grains that pair perfectly with falafel. Almost anything goes, from bulgar wheat to basic rice, or North African-favourite cous cous (spice things up by adding your own flavour, such as rose harissa or lemon and chilli).
Salads
Falafel gives any salad a bowl full of pizzazz. Perhaps you could work your way through an alphabet of fresh veggies? Avocado, beetroot, cucumber, dates, edamame beans… There are very few salad veggies that won’t work with the crisp yet soft textures and subtle spice flavours of falafel.
7. So what does falafel taste like?
Well, how do you describe biting through a crisp outer layer into a deliciously soft, ever-so-slightly moist centre? Or a delicate spice that warms without overpowering, and herbs that add depth to a mildly earthy chickpea base? Maybe we just did! Soft and savoury with subtle spices, it’s not easy to find another food to directly compare these delicious bites with.
8. Is falafel vegan or vegetarian?
They can be both! Our Middle Eastern and Moroccan Falafel are vegan, and our Butternut & Chillli Falafel (which has a sprinkle of mozzarella) are vegetarian. Made predominantly from plants - chickpeas, herbs, spices and absolutely no dairy or eggs, a brilliant snacking choice for anyone eating vegan or vegetarian. Popping with plant-based goodness, they’re the ideal quick vegan on veggie pary food.. Whether you’re preparing a picnic, packing up lunch, or looking for a tasty meat and dairy-free snack, falafels are always pleased to be your faff-free friend.
9. Can you freeze falafel?
Yes! Falafel is freezable. You can pop packets of falafel in the freezer on the day you buy them, and keep them frozen for up to a month. Ideal if you want to have plenty of falafel to hand (and in your mouth).
To defrost falafel and enjoy it at its tastiest, simply place it in the fridge and let it thaw overnight, so it's perfect for reheating the following day. If you're in a hurry you may be tempted to pop it in the microwave, but remember to read the package instructions. And a pro tip to bring the crispness back - warm the falafel in the oven for about 12 minutes once it's reached room temperature.
See our packs for storage information!
10. Where does falafel originate from?
This is a question we can’t answer. No one can! There are plenty of countries who will tell you they are the origin of this beautiful bite, but it’s been around so long ago that nobody can be sure. (A bit like those tales from older relatives that get more elaborate with every retelling.)
It is fair to say falafel started somewhere around the Middle East. Many Egyptians will tell you they first made falafel, although with fava beans rather than chickpeas. Falafels then traveled across the Levant (think modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan) where chickpeas’ flavour were favoured, and many now claim it as a national dish. Of course, something tasty wasn’t going to stay in one place too long. The wonder that is falafel has now spread far and wide, tickling taste buds all over the world.
The big bonus question - where to buy falafel?
Those are our top ten falafel-based questions (and answers), but there is another important one yet. Just where can you get your hands on, and teeth into, some tasty falafels? Phew. That’s an easy one. Check out the chillers of the well-known supermarkets, online or on foot. Look for the plant-based section to find your favourite Cauldron Falafels.
Hungry for more? Our FAQ section covers off even more questions in and around our falafels, from storage instructions to nutritional content. Take a look here.
Hungry for more? Our FAQ section covers off even more questions in and around our falafels, from storage instructions to nutritional content.
Get stuck in
Our blog’s bursting with tips and ideas, info and inspiration. It’s all the stuff about plants that we couldn’t wait to share (but didn’t know where else to put!) There’s so much to get your teeth into.
