Red Lentil + Beet Baked Falafels
These red lentil and beet baked falafels are so easy to make and packed with nutritious, heart-healthy ingredients. Topped with a delicious lemon tahini sauce — they’re perfect for spreading the love this Valentine’s Day!
Food is definitely my love language.
I say, what better way to show someone you love them than by whipping up one of their favorite dishes and infusing it with heart-healthy ingredients?
This Valentine’s Day, I decided to create a special dish for my main man — red lentil and beet baked falafels.
My husband loves Mediterranean food, and basically anything you can stuff into a pita, so falafels were a natural choice. I’ve always loved them but never tried making them at home before since they seemed like a lot of work.
Turns out they’re actually incredibly easy to make. Step one, soak the red lentils. Step two, toss everything in a food processor. Step three, bake those balls for 20 minutes. That’s it!
They’re great for meal prepping too as this recipe makes enough to last you all week and they freeze well if you want to batch cook for future meals (I’m adding these to my recipes to stock the freezer with pre-delivery).
As if traditional falafels weren’t healthy enough — what with loads of fiber and plant-based protein from the lentils and insane amounts of vitamin K from the parsley — these baked falafels take the nutrition to a whole new level thanks to the beets.
Studies show that consuming beets and beet products may help combat high blood pressure and heart disease.
Now before any of my beet-haters out there totally write these off, let me tell you — you can barely taste the beets. What you do taste is a subtle sweetness that is oh so welcome in this savory dish.
My husband HATES beets and he couldn’t even tell they were in here.
I purchased all the ingredients I needed for these scrumptious falafels at Whole Foods 365, which also means they were incredibly affordable.
You can get the red lentils in the bulk bin and find awesome deals on fresh, organic produce.
I also picked up two tasty Mediterranean dishes to serve alongside the falafel wraps — vegan dolmas (grape leaves stuffed with rice and spices), and a taboule salad.
Thank goodness for delicious, prepped foods to make my job easier!
These tasty falafels are served with an easy lemon tahini dressing that takes all of two minutes to whisk together.
While you’re at it, I’d actually encourage you to triple the recipe and use it on everything from Buddha bowls to baked sweet potatoes throughout the week.
- 1 cup dry split red lentils
- 1 red onion
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- ½ small red beet, washed and scrubbed
- 3 garlic cloves
- ¼ cup oat flour
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- pepper to taste
- olive oil spray
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
- Rinse lentils and remove any debris. Place in a medium bowl and fill with water until it is about 2 inches above the lentils. Soak for at least 8-12 hours.
- Preheat over to 375.
- Drain and rinse lentils.
- Add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until incorporated, making sure not to overprocess. The mixture should still be a bit grainy.
- Taking about 2 tablespoons of mixture each, form falafels into balls and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Lightly flatten the balls with your fingers.
- Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- While falafels cook, make the dressing by whisking all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Serve falafels with warm pitas, lemon tahini dressing, and veggies.
Serve falafels with whole wheat pitas, lemon tahini sauce, and any fresh veggies you like. I stuffed mine with carrot ribbons, tomatoes, kale, and more parsley.
The recipe and the tasty sides from WF 365 were a hit with the hubby. In fact, he declared the dolmas the best he’s ever had.
“Uh, I didn’t make tho…,” I started to say and then decided to just bask in the undeserved glory.
Looking for more healthy recipes to make this Valentine’s Day? Try these! >>
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Weigh-in: Do you like beets? Have you made baked falafels before?
*This post is sponsored by Whole Foods 365 but all opinions are my own.
Jordan says:
Oh my gosh this is my kind of meal! My husband and I love going to the Mediterranean place in town but we aren’t eating out this month. Definitely trying this!
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says:
Yum! My husband and I are both huge fans of falafel. I’ve never tried it made with lentils and beets, but looks delicious!
Sarah says:
I really like the beet addition in these falafels. Do you know if they freeze well? My family isn’t falafel fans but was thinking maybe I could freeze them and make them for lunch as I would enjoy them.
Whitney E. RD says:
Yes, they freeze great! I’m stock-piling them for after my pregnancy when I know I’m going to be too tired to cook!
Jessica Levinson says:
Love everything about these falafels! Such a healthy dinner for the family!
Kristina @ Love & Zest says:
I am going to have to make this very soon! I love this for a lunch option!
Lorie says:
I seriously can’t get enough lentils these days. This will be another way to get them in!
Alisa Fleming says:
This is the first truly unique falafel recipe that I’ve seen in ages. So pretty and I bet the flavor is quite nice.
Whitney E. RD says:
Thanks so much, Alisa! The flavor really is amazing!
Joanna says:
I love falafels! I’ve never tried making my own. This one sounds DELICIOUS!!
Whitney E. RD says:
These were my first attempt too and now I’m hooked!
Emily Kyle says:
I am drooling with that lemon tahini on top of those goreogous falafels! I have to say I am usually hesitant about cooking with lentils, but you’ve inspired me to give it another shot! Thanks, Whitney!
Whitney E. RD says:
You should definitely give it another shot – you won’t be disappointed, I promise :)
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says:
All the red in this is gorgeous! I’m a huge falafel and beet fan, so these are my jam!
Stacey Mattinson says:
Haha! Oh my goodness – I totally wrote in my blog post this week that food is my sixth love language! I’m glad we feel the same way. Love these falafels! I did a study abroad in Israel and falafel was alllll the rage. I need to give these pink ones a try!
Whitney E. RD says:
Oh that’s funny – guess us RDs think/feel alike ;)
Catherine Brown says:
These are SO beautiful Whitney! I can’t wait to make them. I bet they would be gorgeous with golden beets too! Thank you for sharing your recipe. :-)
Whitney E. RD says:
Thank you, Catherine! I will have to try golden beets next time :)
Sarah Remmer says:
Looks delish! And so pretty!!
Brooke says:
Hi Whitney,
These look delicious!
Do you freeze them cooked or raw?
Brooke
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