How these amazing baked falafel became my go-to anti-inflammatory street food

Some days, I want more than just “healthy.”

I want flavor. Comfort. Something I can dip, nibble, or plate with color and pride like the baked falafel recipe we are going to learn together here.

But like many of you, I’ve learned the hard way that not every delicious bite feels good after we eat it.

I still remember the best falafel of my life: eaten fresh in Cairo, golden and crunchy, wrapped in warm flatbread. It was the perfect bite… until a few hours later when my energy tanked and my stomach reminded me that deep-fried doesn’t sit so well anymore.

Since then, I’ve been on a mission to recreate that joy but without the side effects.

And I think I’ve nailed it.

Why deep-fried isn’t the only way to enjoy falafel

Falafel is one of those rare dishes that ticks almost every box:

• Rich in plant protein
• Packed with fiber
• Full of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium
• A source of “smart” carbs that keep blood sugar steady
• Naturally gluten-free and satisfying

But the traditional version? It’s almost always deep-fried. And that’s where the problems begin.

Frying at high temperatures, especially in industrial seed oils, increases oxidation, creates inflammation-promoting compounds, and messes with our digestion and hormones. Not exactly what we want when trying to detox, lose weight, or support long-term energy.

A baked falafel that supports gut health and detox

This version is different.

It’s oven-baked, uses clean ingredients, and gives your body what it actually needs: nourishment, not inflammation.

At the heart of the recipe are fava beans, one of the most underrated detox-friendly legumes. Rich in fiber and plant-based protein, fava beans support your gut microbiome, promote satiety, and help your liver eliminate excess hormones and toxins.

Add in leeks and garlic (natural prebiotics), parsley and coriander (gentle chelators), and tahina + walnut butter (sources of healthy fats that keep hormones humming), and this becomes a meal that’s not just delicious, but strategically designed to reduce inflammation.

One serving gives you 15g protein and 10g fiber: ideal to support weight loss, keep you full for hours, and balance your hormones throughout the day.

Make it once, enjoy all week

Here’s the other reason I love this recipe: it’s batch-cooking friendly.

Once baked, these falafels store beautifully in the fridge (up to 4 days) or freezer. You can toss them in a lunchbox with a side salad, plate them with roasted veggies, or serve them in a bowl with quinoa and tahina drizzle for a satisfying dinner.

They’re kid-friendly, prep-friendly, and travel well, a rare find in the world of healthy meals.

The baked falafel recipe

Ingredients (serves 4)

15g protein, 10g fiber per portion

• 250g raw fava beans (see notes)
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• ½ leek, finely chopped
• ½ onion or 4 spring onions, finely chopped
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1 tbsp extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil
• 1 tbsp tahina
• 1 tbsp walnut or almond butter
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 tbsp gram flour (chickpea flour)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tbsp ground cumin
• A pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Topping: olive oil and sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with parchment and brush lightly with olive oil or ghee.
2. Optional: briefly cook the fava beans in boiling water (simmer 3–4 minutes).
3. In a food processor, pulse all ingredients until well-combined but not puréed. Scrape sides as needed.
4. Form into 12 balls, place on tray, flatten slightly into patties. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle sesame seeds.
5. Bake 12–15 minutes per side until golden and firm.

Notes:

• Too sticky? Add a spoon of chickpea or buckwheat flour.
• Keeps 3–4 days refrigerated or freezes well.

Allergy info: nuts & sesame.

Why this recipe fits your weight loss goals

If you’ve been trying to lose weight without giving up joy, this recipe is a great place to begin.

It’s naturally anti-inflammatory, helps balance blood sugar, supports gut health, and gives your body the kind of nourishment that makes cravings fade away. No ultra-processed ingredients. No stress around food. Just real, satisfying bites.

And that’s exactly the kind of mindset shift that leads to real change.

Ready to eat better, feel better, and stop starting over?

This recipe is just one example of the kind of food we teach and share inside the Authentik Reset Membership.

Inside the membership, we don’t chase trends or force restrictive diets.

We teach you how to nourish your body, detox naturally, and rebuild long-term healthy habits, with the support of expert coaches and a real community that gets it.

When you join, you’ll get:

• 4 RESETs per year: each begins with a detox and flows into sustainable Live weight loss coaching
• A private onboarding + one 1:1 naturopathic consultation
• Monthly live coaching & Q&A sessions
• New recipes every week (yes, baked falafel included!)
• Yoga and hormone-balancing tools
• A private community chat for daily support
• Access to expert-led workshops on digestion, cravings, stress, and more

And this week, enrollment is open, but only until October 8th. After that, we are back to focusing on our members and ensuring they get the best results.

If you’ve ever felt like your body was working against you… or that no matter how hard you try, you keep ending up back at square one, this is for you.

You’ll never need to start over again. You’ll have a structure to return to, one that flexes with your life and supports you through every season.

👉 Join the Authentik Reset Membership before October 8 and take the first step toward weight loss that lasts and food that actually supports you.

Let this baked falafel be the first of many shifts.

Your body doesn’t need punishment. It needs real food, real rhythm, and the right support.

And it starts with just one nourishing bite.

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