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.
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?
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I’ve actually never had falafel! This looks really good and easy enough to make. I love that you can get creative with toppings!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Total Body Strength Training Workout + Weekly Workout Recap
What never had falafel?! You must try it immediately! 🙂
I loveee pizza and I love falafel – but combining the two?! Genius! This is the perfect meat free meal!
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recipe: The Best Paleo Carrot Cake
Thanks! I agree hope you try it out
Seriously, this IS a brilliant idea! And watch out if tzatziki is involved, I might just get a bowl of that 😀
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Necessary Rest, Necessary Work, It’s Called Balance (Week(end) in Review)
Thanks I was pretty happy with how yummy it was!
I have never had falafel but I like all those toppings.
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…New York City Half Marathon: Race Day
What really?! You must go out and try it immediately
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!
Thanks so much hope you give it a try
Falafel is amazing! What a creative recipe!
Rachel recently posted…Southwestern Vegetarian Fajitas
Thanks so much it’s one of my favorites
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!
Kimberly recently posted…Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon Training Recap – Week 4
very easy to make and super delicious 🙂
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!
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…Weekend Ramblings
I must have in my opinion!
I stay away from falafel due to it’s fried nature. What a genius idea to bake it like a crust!
Marcia recently posted…Loving/Not Loving: Spring Break Edition
Thanks! It was super delicious hope you give it a go
Oh, what a fun way to eat falafel! I am going to have to try this.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude
Thanks! I think you will enjoy it
This sounds soooo good! Can’t wait to try it out!
thanks I really hope you enjoy it! Miss you 🙂
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!
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs recently posted…Vegan Chicken Pot Pie Recipe plus Snapshots from the Week
The toppings are the best part and this version is vegan 🙂
Ohhh these are my favorite flavors! What a great idea! Thanks for hosting too.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Walks, Guac & Beauty & the Beast – Weekend Photo Dump
Mine too! thanks
Clever idea. Falafel in any form is okay by me 🙂 Good, healthy carbs (& protein) for runners, too.
dynise recently posted…How to save money on running
Yes indeed! I agree hope you try it out
This is so creative! What a great idea, I’m going to have to try this one 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Back to running!
Hope you do! Thanks
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!
gina recently posted…Grandma’s Marathon – Week 7
What really!? You must drop everything and make some today
Mmmm I love falafel – this looks delicious!
Annmarie recently posted…A Special Limited Edition Jump Rope Workout ( + Special Giveaway)
thanks so much it’s super easy to make too
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!
You can make it all for yourself that’s what I did 🙂
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!
You could eat it on it’s own but might be a little dry let me know if you try it
I love falafel, and this falafel pizza recipe is making my mouth water! Pinned!
Alison’s Allspice recently posted…Fried Chickpea Gyro Bowls with Tzatziki Sauce
Oh good that was the idea 🙂
I must admit that I’ve never had falafel, but I love your creativity with this recipe!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…RtR Training Week 3
What?? You must run out and try it today 🙂
This looks so delicious!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Blueberry Sunbutter Bites (no bake)
Thanks so much hope you give it a try
This looks very good. I have never had falafel but would love to try it.
It’s very good!!
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.
Christina recently posted…Vegetarian Cheeseburger Couscous with Roasted Vegetables, and Bourbon Trail Shenanigans
Yay I hope you enjoy it!
I would have never thought about combining the two but it looks good!
Anna @ Pipers Run recently posted…Not The Week I Expected Wrap Up
It really was! 🙂
I love falafel… this is brilliant!
Me too and thanks!
This is a thing of beauty! I want it now!
Jenn recently posted…weekly wrap: 3.19 – 3.25 + publix savannah women’s half marathon training week 7
Thanks! That was kind of the idea 🙂
Yum! I love falafel, and this is even better!
Coco recently posted…United NYC Half Race Recap
Thanks and super easy too
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.
Chrissy recently posted…6 BEST AT HOME TOTAL BODY WORKOUTS
it was a fun way to mix it up for sure
this is perfect for snacking or as a light meal…so genius!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Cold Brew Froyo
Thanks so much
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.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Healthy Applesauce Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting [Recipe]
I love love the mini skillets they are great for egg dishes too
Hi Deborah,
Happy Meatless Monday! Today I shared a Chia Pudding recipe! Thanks for hosting this party full of tasty and terrific post!
Thanks so much for joining us today
Oh man. I love love falafel. What an innovative way to use it!!
Smitha @ FauxRunner recently posted…Weekly Training Recap – Of Nerds and Bikes
Thanks certainly fun to mix it up
This looks amazing!! I’ve recently learned that I love falafels…this would be great for dinner!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Tunes Tuesday – Foster the People
I love falafels too hope you like it
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!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Loudoun Half Marathon Training Log – Week 2
Thanks so much 🙂
This is brilliant! I would load this with all the toppings too! 🙂
Emily @Sinful Nutrition recently posted…Matcha Green Tea Mojito
The toppings are the best part right?!
Man, I need a cast iron skillet SO BAD!
Tara @ A Daily Dose of Fit recently posted…Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Protein Truffles
They are the best! I use it all the time
Love how the falafel pizza is partitioned with different ingredients. It’s a pizza I can have on a treat day!
Leo Tat recently posted…Can Probiotics Help with Weight Loss, and Burn Belly Fat?
It’s a pizza you can have on any day 🙂
This looks so amazing! I pinned it to try this Friday for Family Pizza Night.
Fantastic hope you all enjoy
As soon as I saw your pic I knew I wanted to make this. It’s falafel love.
Jill Conyers recently posted…Healthy and Strong 4-Week Workout Series – Week 2
That was kind of the idea 🙂 Thanks
I have to admit I did not even know what falafel was! Than you for sharing I learned about something new!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…New Orleans bound- Weekly Wrap
Really?! You must try it asap 🙂
Looks pretty amazing.
I don’t have falafels all that often, but I love tzatziki sauce (not that I have that too often either!).
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…March 2017: Did I pass?
It’s one of my favorites hope you give it a try