Keto falafels
Falafel is a healthy, plant-based alternative to meat that’s low carb, high-protein and tastes great! Mix up the spices to make Italian, Greek or Mexican-flavored keto vegan meals. Great for meal prep as they’re easy to prepare and freeze well.
Ingredients
½ cup (21⁄3 oz.) pumpkin seeds
½ cup (2½ oz.) almonds
8 oz. (3¼ cups) mushrooms, sliced
½ cup light olive oil, divided
¾ cup (2¾ oz.) vegan pea protein powder (unflavored)
¼ cup water
¼ cup (12⁄3 oz.) chia seeds
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander seed
¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Heat a large dry frying pan over medium heat, and roast the almonds and pumpkin seeds until lightly browned and fragrant. Put them in a food processor and pulse for a couple of minutes.
Fry the mushrooms in a large frying pan in ⅓ of the olive oil until soft. Add the mushrooms and the remaining oil to the mixture in the food processor together with the rest of the ingredients. Mix for a couple of minutes. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
Shape the mixture into 1-1/2 inch (4 cm) balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet.
Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until crispy. Serve warm, together with the side dish of your choice.
Can I freeze the keto falafels?
Yes, they freeze well! Make a double batch and put the leftovers in the freezer for another day.
Spice it up!
Replace the seasoning in the recipe with one of the suggestions below. The measurements are based on 4 servings.
Italian: 1 pressed garlic clove, 0.5 cup of chopped fresh basil, and 2 tbsp sugar-free tomato paste.
Greek: 1 pressed garlic clove, 1 tbsp oregano, and 0.5 cup olives, finely chopped.
Mexican: 1 tbsp Tex-Mex seasoning , 2 tsp onion powder, and 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped.
Is protein powder really healthy?
Although we generally recommend choosing non-processed foods, vegans on a low-carb diet may find it very challenging to meet their daily protein needs through whole foods alone. Including plant-based protein powders can help bridge the protein gap while adding very few carbs.
A few organic, less-processed options are Garden of Life Organic Protein Powder, Foods Alive Organic Pea Protein Powder, and Jarrow Formulas Organic Pumpkin Seed Vegan Protein Powder
