Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today. I’ve been playing around with my healthy baked falafel recipes the past few weeks, and I believe I’ve come up with a delcious combination to share with you all today. This Deep Dish Falafel Pizza will change the way you eat falafel for good.
Deep Dish Falafel Pizza
If you are not familiar with falafel, it is a Middle Eastern staple of a combination of chick peas and spices deep fried into little balls and served in a pita. Delicious yes healthy not so much. I’ve taken the traditional falafel recipe and given it a little healthy upgrade. In my version, healthy chick peas are combined with spinach and baked into a delicious deep dish pizza crust then piled high with all the best plant based toppings you can think of.
Usually, the favorite part of falafel, for me, are the toppings. Customarily, you will find toppings such as: Tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, hummus, olives and feta. Today I am showing you how to create your own personalized Deep dish Falafel Pizza with your favorite toppings. With Dairy free, gluten free and vegan options everyone is happy!
I am kind obsessed with my mini cast iron skillets and love to use them for individualized treats. You can also use a larger sized skillet no problem. Coating them with a little olive oil will keep the falafel pizza from sticking. (Amazon link)
This Deep dish falafel pizza is so easy to whip up. You can even bake them in advance and then heat up when ready to eat and add your toppings a la minute. Filled with good for plant based protein and carbs, this is a keeper.
Deep Dish Falafel Pizza with all the Mezze
Ingredients
- Falafel pizza:
- 2 15 oz cans of garbanzo beans-rinsed and drained
- 2 Cups of fresh spinach
- handful of fresh parsley
- 2 tbl chopped garlic
- 1/3 C of tahini sauce
- salt & pepper to taste
- squirt of siracha (optional)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin & coriander
- olive oil for coating pan
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 2/3 C almond flour (or flour of choice)
- Toppings:
- Tzatziki sauce
- chopped tomatoes & cucumbers
- artichoke hearts
- beets
- pickles
- hummus
- feta cheese
- olives
Instructions
- heat oven to 375
- in a food processor combine:
- garbanzo beans, garlic, spinach, parsley, tahini, spices
- pulse until smooth
- Transfer to bowl mix in
- baking powder
- almond flour
- Coat skillet with olive oil
- divide falafel mixture into skillet
- pack down
- sprinkle with sesame seeds
- Bake for 20-30 min until firm (depending on size of skillet)
- Top with your favorite Mezze and enjoy
My favorite Mezze toppings for falafel include:
-Tzatziki sauce (You can easily make your own by combining Greek Yogurt, chopped cucumbers, mint, salt, pepper & a splash of vinegar)
-tomatoes and cucumber salad
-feta cheese
-hummus
-beets
-olives
-artichoke hearts
-Harissa sauce
-pickles
Endless opportunities really!
This Deep Dish Falafel Pizza will certainly be in my regular dinner rotation from now on. Tell me what are your favorite falafel toppings?
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
I’ve actually never had falafel! This looks really good and easy enough to make. I love that you can get creative with toppings!
Deborah Brooks says
What never had falafel?! You must try it immediately! 🙂
Kristy from Southern In Law says
I loveee pizza and I love falafel – but combining the two?! Genius! This is the perfect meat free meal!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks! I agree hope you try it out
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Seriously, this IS a brilliant idea! And watch out if tzatziki is involved, I might just get a bowl of that 😀
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks I was pretty happy with how yummy it was!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
I have never had falafel but I like all those toppings.
Deborah Brooks says
What really?! You must go out and try it immediately
Courtney says
Such a great idea! I jump at any healthier way to eat falafel, and adding pizza to the mix? I’m there!
Thanks for hosting!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks so much hope you give it a try
Rachel says
Falafel is amazing! What a creative recipe!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks so much it’s one of my favorites
Kimberly says
I’ve never had falafel, but once you put the word ‘pizza’ on anything, I’m 10x more likely to try it, lol. Also this looks easy to make – I love those types of recipes!
Deborah Brooks says
very easy to make and super delicious 🙂
ACKTIVE LIFE says
YUM! I haven’t purchased a cast iron skillet, but I feel that I should put in on my list of kitchen gadgets I should indulge in. This recipe looks DELISH!
Deborah Brooks says
I must have in my opinion!
Marcia says
I stay away from falafel due to it’s fried nature. What a genius idea to bake it like a crust!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks! It was super delicious hope you give it a go
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
Oh, what a fun way to eat falafel! I am going to have to try this.
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks! I think you will enjoy it
Virginia Payne says
This sounds soooo good! Can’t wait to try it out!
Deborah Brooks says
thanks I really hope you enjoy it! Miss you 🙂
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs says
This is brilliant! I do love falafel, but rarely make it (like once in my life lol). And I agree, the toppings are the best part! Thanks for hosting!
Deborah Brooks says
The toppings are the best part and this version is vegan 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Ohhh these are my favorite flavors! What a great idea! Thanks for hosting too.
Deborah Brooks says
Mine too! thanks
dynise says
Clever idea. Falafel in any form is okay by me 🙂 Good, healthy carbs (& protein) for runners, too.
Deborah Brooks says
Yes indeed! I agree hope you try it out
Chaitali says
This is so creative! What a great idea, I’m going to have to try this one 🙂
Deborah Brooks says
Hope you do! Thanks
gina says
I need to get out more. 🙂 lol! I’ve never had a falafel and some of those toppings I’ve never heard of either! whoops! Looks delicious though!
Deborah Brooks says
What really!? You must drop everything and make some today
Annmarie says
Mmmm I love falafel – this looks delicious!
Deborah Brooks says
thanks so much it’s super easy to make too
Sarah says
This sounds so good, I love all the flavors in it! I wish my family liked falafels but they like pizza. I could always make it for lunch too. Happy Meatless Monday!
Deborah Brooks says
You can make it all for yourself that’s what I did 🙂
Kimberly Hatting says
Another yummy Deborah recipe to add to my “to try” roster! I am not too familiar with falafel, but I’m wondering if you could just eat this crust on its own? It sounds delicious!
Deborah Brooks says
You could eat it on it’s own but might be a little dry let me know if you try it
Alison's Allspice says
I love falafel, and this falafel pizza recipe is making my mouth water! Pinned!
Deborah Brooks says
Oh good that was the idea 🙂
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
I must admit that I’ve never had falafel, but I love your creativity with this recipe!
Deborah Brooks says
What?? You must run out and try it today 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
This looks so delicious!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks so much hope you give it a try
Elle says
This looks very good. I have never had falafel but would love to try it.
Deborah Brooks says
It’s very good!!
Christina says
This is SO CLEVER!!! Seriously, I know your tweet says “why didn’t I think of this?” but that is accurate to what I’m saying to myself right now! I’m absolutely going to make this. Soon. Tomorrow, perhaps, if I can get my hands on canned chickpeas, or make my own.
Deborah Brooks says
Yay I hope you enjoy it!
Anna @ Pipers Run says
I would have never thought about combining the two but it looks good!
Deborah Brooks says
It really was! 🙂
vicki says
I love falafel… this is brilliant!
Deborah Brooks says
Me too and thanks!
Jenn says
This is a thing of beauty! I want it now!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks! That was kind of the idea 🙂
Coco says
Yum! I love falafel, and this is even better!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks and super easy too
Chrissy says
Can’t say I’ve ever had falafel before. But I’m always looking for ways to use/bake/cook with chick peas. This looks like a fun pizza option.
Deborah Brooks says
it was a fun way to mix it up for sure
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
this is perfect for snacking or as a light meal…so genius!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks so much
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I absolutely MUST try this! I’m a huge falafel fan. And who doesn’t love pizza? Plus, it’ll give me an excuse to buy mini skillets, which I’ve been eyeing forever.
Deborah Brooks says
I love love the mini skillets they are great for egg dishes too
Deborah Davis says
Hi Deborah,
Happy Meatless Monday! Today I shared a Chia Pudding recipe! Thanks for hosting this party full of tasty and terrific post!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks so much for joining us today
Smitha @ FauxRunner says
Oh man. I love love falafel. What an innovative way to use it!!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks certainly fun to mix it up
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
This looks amazing!! I’ve recently learned that I love falafels…this would be great for dinner!
Deborah Brooks says
I love falafels too hope you like it
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
I’m all about taking traditionally unhealthy recipes and giving them a healthy spin. And when you made it into a pizza, it makes that all that more appealing!
Deborah Brooks says
Thanks so much 🙂
Emily @Sinful Nutrition says
This is brilliant! I would load this with all the toppings too! 🙂
Deborah Brooks says
The toppings are the best part right?!
Tara @ A Daily Dose of Fit says
Man, I need a cast iron skillet SO BAD!
Deborah Brooks says
They are the best! I use it all the time
Leo Tat says
Love how the falafel pizza is partitioned with different ingredients. It’s a pizza I can have on a treat day!
Deborah Brooks says
It’s a pizza you can have on any day 🙂
Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says
This looks so amazing! I pinned it to try this Friday for Family Pizza Night.
Deborah Brooks says
Fantastic hope you all enjoy
Jill Conyers says
As soon as I saw your pic I knew I wanted to make this. It’s falafel love.
Deborah Brooks says
That was kind of the idea 🙂 Thanks
Mary Beth Jackson says
I have to admit I did not even know what falafel was! Than you for sharing I learned about something new!
Deborah Brooks says
Really?! You must try it asap 🙂
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Looks pretty amazing.
I don’t have falafels all that often, but I love tzatziki sauce (not that I have that too often either!).
Deborah Brooks says
It’s one of my favorites hope you give it a try