The Best Waffle Falafel Recipe

The Best "Waffle" Falafel

Ever wonder what you could make with a Belgian Waffle Maker besides Belgian Waffles? I was looking for ideas and was inspired by a blog called Waffleizer.  Among the many interesting mash-up ideas, I found the "Falafel Waffle", waffle shape and texture with amazing falafel flavor.  This was intriguing to me because 1) Let's face it, falafel eating is pretty messy trying to stuff everything into a pita pocket with hummus and all the other spreads and 2) I was looking to reduce oil in our cooking, so would the Falafel Waffle taste good without frying it?

I was excited to try the recipe in Waffleizer,  but truth be told the result was not too keen on the "course, dryer texture" of the Falafel Waffle. It was pretty much just falafel mix prepped and then spread into the waffle iron.  I was expecting something more waffle like in texture with the flavors of a falafel. So after creative research and some trial and error, I came up with this alternate recipe which I call "Waffle Falafel" because I prefer Fluffy, cake like waffle like consistency with the amazing flavors of a traditional falafel and not just falafel mix in waffle form. (It will make sense if you try both recipes)
 
Low Fat Waffle Falefel Recipe

1 cup Bob's Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Baking Soda
1/4 Cup Ground Flax Seed
1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (Flat) - Finely Chopped or Immersion Blender
2-3 Sprigs Fresh Mint - Finely Chopped or Immersion Blender
 ½ tsp Cumin, ground
¼ tsp Coriander, ground
½ tsp Garlic Powder
¼ tsp Onion Powder
1 Lemon - Juice - Remove seeds
2/3 cup Hot Water

Prepare all dry ingredients before adding lemon juice and hot water.
Mix until batter is formed.
Preheat Waffle Maker and lightly spray with cooking oil
Spread mixture evenly on waffle iron and and cook for 4 minutes or until waffle releases.

The best part about eating the Waffle Falafel is that you can put the spreads (hummus, yogurt, avocado, tzaziki, baba ghanoush, etc) into the waffle valleys nicely and provides a great platform for other toppings (tomatoes, cucumbers, olives mint, etc) 

Pita is optional, so this recipe can be completely vegan and gluten free!