When I think about meals I couldn’t live without, I think about a sweet potato falafel sandwich with all the fixings. I’m talking about creamy tahini sauce, spicy hot sauce, crunchy pickles, and fresh lettuce. Whether it’s fried, baked, or even raw, I adore falafel.
At the Alhambra overlooking Granada
I lived in Madrid for a semester in college, and Granada was a favorite weekend destination for me and my girlfriends. Unlike Madrid, Granada is highly influenced by north African and Islamic culture. The stunning Alhambra is there, after all. And it was in Granada that I had the best falafel ever.
It was at a little kebab shop where our friend/my crush worked. We visited Granada twice, and ate at that kebab many times, and it’s still the best I’ve ever had. Perhaps it was the company, perhaps it was the authentic atmosphere, perhaps it was the hookah. Or it could have just been Granada, but that falafel sandwich was magic.
My girls 🙂 German/Senegalese crush on the right <3
I want to go back there so badly!
Until I’m able to make it back to that little kebab in Granada, I’ll continue to make my own healthy falafel at home. I hook it up with tasty toppings, serve it in a pita, and close my eyes to imagine I’m enjoying it under the gaze of the Alhambra.
Sweet Potato Falafel Sandwich
Ingredients
Sweet Potato Falafel
- 1 medium sweet potato baked or steamed in the skin
- 14 oz can chickpeas rinsed
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley minced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Spicy Cucumber Avocado Salad
- 2 large cucumbers peeled and seeds removed, and diced into ¾ centimeter thick cubes
- 1 ripe avocado flesh diced like the cucumber
- ¼ cup red onion or shallot minced
- ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
- ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar plus a splash for good measure
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- ¼ -1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Tahini Sauce
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon
- ½ cup water
- Assembling ingredients
- 4 big handfuls of arugula
- 4 pita pockets
Instructions
Sweet Potato Falafel
- Preheat oven to 350° and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place all of the ingredients into a food processor, and pulse until the ingredients are combined. Be careful not to over blend or puree. The ingredients should hold together, but maintain their texture. Use a cookie scoop (about 2 tbsp) to scoop falafel balls and place directly onto the baking sheet. Bake for 35 minutes. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Spicy Cucumber Avocado Salad
- Place all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl, and stir well to combine with a large spoon.
- Season to taste with a dash more sea salt, vinegar, or lemon juice if necessary.
Tahini Sauce
- Place ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Or place ingredients into a jar with a lid, and shake until creamy.
- Assemble the sandwich
- Fill pita pockets with arugula, falafel, cucumber salad, and tahini. Enjoy!
Gwen / June 10, 2022 at 1:15 pm /
Fantastic gluten free falafel and cucumber salad. I ate it on a bed of lettuce with the tahini as the dressing. Loved it – looking forward to my leftovers.
Jeff Cooper / July 3, 2021 at 7:40 pm /
I LOVE falafel. I used to eat them frequently when I lived in Philly. The problem is that I can’t get them anywhere near where I live. In addition, I haven’t had much luck in making them either and I’ve really tried. Now I know that you said that these were delicious, but being that they’re healthier and more simple to make, I would have been really happy had they simply been pretty good. I was amazed! I have to give it to you, they are just as good as you said, better I think! The only thing I did differently was adding some vegan yogurt to the tahini sauce. I am finished with searching for a recipe to make falafel at home! Thank you!
Patti / July 15, 2019 at 1:15 am /
Just made this recipe 2 times in the last 2 weeks. SO awesome! The flavors are all perfect together. I could eat the salad part just by itself. YUM!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / January 16, 2018 at 1:10 am /
I love to hear that!!! I’m so happy for you 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
I’m going to have to make it with fennel seeds for sure. I LOVE them so much 🙂
Leslie Arnett / October 16, 2017 at 9:47 pm /
This recipe has become a family favorite! Thank you!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / October 15, 2017 at 6:58 pm /
That’s great! Yes, I will share some more Thanksgiving recipes. I highly recommend the mac & cheese (2 on this blog), and collards for side dishes too.
Abidemi Balogun / August 3, 2017 at 12:21 am /
I love your recipes, I just started the vegan journey because of your blog and YouTube channel. It’s day 2 and I’m so freaking excited to try every single one of your recipes!! I’ve struggled with digestive issues and gluten intolerance which are the driving force behind my transition! I’m so excited about this and can’t wait for your book in 2018!
-Abidemi
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 29, 2017 at 10:11 pm /
Awesome! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Cecelia's Good Stuff / January 27, 2017 at 2:42 pm /
This sounds totally amazing . . . I can’t wait to try it. YUM!
Brittney Flowers / January 8, 2017 at 12:02 am /
I am loving your recipes. A couple of nights ago, I just decided that it was never going to be convenient to change from vegetarian to vegan and it was never going to just happen; I had to simply change. I stumbled upon your YouTube channel and decided to try a rendition of one of your Buddha bowls. I figured raw collards were a great way to signify to myself that food was SUPPOSED to be different. Lol.
Well, my salad was lovely, just lovely. Today, I tried this recipe of falafel (because falafel is one of my most favorite things), and it was perfect. I decided to use up some more collard greens and I put it on a salad instead of in a pita wrap. It was so filling. Because of the flafel and collards, the salad was very satisfying, like a meal-meal.
Thank you. I now know that I can actually do this. It’s day three and all is well. 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / January 10, 2017 at 4:26 am /
You are awesome!! Congratulations on making the change!!!! You can do this 🙂
I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed the recipes. Many more to come! xo
Michon Ofoeme / January 4, 2017 at 2:43 pm /
Thanks for making it easy for me to transition to veganism with my family! Juggling toddlers, a hungry husband and school is tough but using your recipes keeps them open minded to the changes and keeps the anxiety of where to start away! So thank you!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / January 4, 2017 at 3:34 pm /
Hi Michon!! That is so wonderful to hear. You’re a rockstar! I’m so glad my recipes can be of help. I’m wishing you the very best in 2017 and beyond. xo
Shelby Victoria / December 13, 2016 at 1:51 am /
Ive made these almost every month. my new roomie isnt vegan and i caught him mid bite into these babies. so tasty! i love your videos:D
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / December 13, 2016 at 2:05 pm /
Nice!! That is so nice to hear 🙂 Thank you, Shelby! xo
Monica / September 17, 2016 at 7:58 pm /
Made these falafels today and they turned out AMAZING! Best and easiest recipe I’ve tried so far! Thank you! Keep up your good work and positivity! I love your you tube channel! xxx
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / September 18, 2016 at 12:17 pm /
Wonderful!! I’m so glad to hear it. Thanks, Monica!! xo
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / May 12, 2016 at 2:36 pm /
Awesome!! That makes me so happy to hear. I ADORE them as well 🙂
Have a great day, AC!
black girl in the rok / March 17, 2016 at 9:57 am /
Can this be fried as well? I know, not as healthy but…
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / March 17, 2016 at 12:16 pm /
Oh yes, you can fry them 🙂
Tiffany Baker / March 13, 2016 at 9:23 pm /
Delicious Jenne’. My husband says that I’m always cooking with sweet potatoes or cranberries, so I just said I was making falafels. He was raving about this, and I asked, “How’s the sweet potato?” He said, “There’s sweet potato in this?” Now all of a sudden he said he could taste it. LOL 🙂 However, one note…..1/2 cup of H2O was too much for the sauce. I had to keep adding tahini and more lemon until it was the right consistency. Plus….a little salt helped bring out the flavors. Keep it up! 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / March 17, 2016 at 12:18 pm /
Hey Tiffany! That’s awesome 🙂
Thanks for the note on the tahini sauce!! I’ll edit that. Different brands work differently; some being thinner, others much thicker 🙂
SomethingNeat AndChic / January 15, 2016 at 1:05 am /
OMG!!… I am not vegan..these are amazing! I will share these with my hubby and I will definitely make these again. I am so curious about vegan cuisine now….
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / January 17, 2016 at 11:34 pm /
Thank you! How exciting. You’ve come to the right place for delicious recipes 😉
lawanda gurganious / January 14, 2016 at 9:20 am /
This is probably the best the best and easiest falafel recipe I have ever tried! Thank you so much!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / January 17, 2016 at 11:35 pm /
Thank you so much! That’s so super nice to hear 🙂
Cathryn Sheeran / January 8, 2016 at 1:42 am /
Wow! These were amazing! The boyfriend and I just ate 2 sandwiches each and we will be making these again. savory falafels with refreshing cucumber avocado salad and a lemon tahini sauce to top it off!?!? YES MAAM! I knew this was going to be delish as soon as I watched the video. Thanks Sweet Potato Soul or should I say Goddess! 🙂 I just went on Facebook and posted my pics of this amazing sandwich and linked this page. Thanks again!
Christina Renfroe / September 27, 2015 at 3:40 am /
Oh dear Lord!!! I just made these for my mom and they were amazingly delicious!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe….I have a feeling Sweet Potato Soul will be an addiction!
I studied abroad in Cordoba, Spain and long to return as well!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / September 28, 2015 at 4:12 am /
OMG, that’s awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know, and for giving it a try. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I never made it to Cordoba. Next time I really must 🙂
xoxo
juju / September 6, 2015 at 3:00 am /
Made this for my family tonight. So good…they loved it, even my husband who claims not to like sweet potatoes! Thanks for the genius recipe Jenné!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / September 7, 2015 at 12:14 am /
Amazing!! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
Angel Y. / August 25, 2015 at 12:42 am /
Tried this and it was fantastic! 🙂 <3 Thank you Jenné
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 25, 2015 at 2:38 am /
Fantastic! Thanks so much for giving it a try 🙂
Susan Fredricks Ditzler / August 19, 2015 at 12:02 am /
can’t wait to try this
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 18, 2015 at 7:11 pm /
I totally agree!!! Thanks Amanda 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 29, 2015 at 5:42 pm /
OMG, I couldn’t agree more about Granada feeling like that 🙂 I adore it.
Thanks so much girl 🙂 xoxo
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 29, 2015 at 5:42 pm /
Fabulous!! Enjoy 🙂
Carol J / July 18, 2015 at 11:34 pm /
Oh it looks delicious! Thank you so much.
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 20, 2015 at 5:30 pm /
Thank you!! Enjoy 🙂
Amber H / July 17, 2015 at 3:47 am /
This recipe is right up my alley! Just gorgeous. I am also a big lover of sweat potatoes (just found your blog). By the way, you’re are so beautiful. And I’ve enjoyed looking around this lovely site. So many amazing recipes (I have Pinterest fatigue). ha ha. Be Well, –Amber
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 17, 2015 at 3:08 pm /
Thanks so much Amber 🙂 You’re so kind!
Enjoy the recipes. And if you ever would like to see something in particular on the site, let me know. xo
Amber H / July 23, 2015 at 4:45 am /
For sure! Thank you. xo
Aicha Hornli / July 16, 2015 at 7:29 pm /
I’m trying this out tomorrow but I was wondering how many grams of chickpeas you use in the recipe? Cause I’m using chickpeas that I’ve cooked myself so I have no idea how many oz it is? (we use dl here in Norway)
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 16, 2015 at 10:12 pm /
Wonderful!! Great question. It looks like it’s 396.89 grams. I used a 14 ounce can of chickpeas, and used this site to convert it to grams http://www.metric-conversions.org/weight/ounces-to-grams.htm
Does that sound about right?
Sarah Morrison / July 14, 2015 at 8:08 pm /
You forgot avocado in the ingredients list for the spicy cucumber avocado salad, but looks delicious and I look forward to making it for dinner tonight!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 14, 2015 at 8:17 pm /
Ahhh! Thanks for catching that Sarah. I’ve fixed it 🙂 Enjoy!!
genevieve @ gratitude and gree / July 14, 2015 at 2:18 am /
I honestly don’t think I could live without tahini, sweet potatoes, or falafel. So yes, I don’t think I could live without this sweet potato falafel sandwich either, haha! I’ve been to Madrid but have never been to Granada. One day, hopefully!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 14, 2015 at 2:36 pm /
Right!? Those are definitely essential to a good life 🙂
You’ve got to get to Granada one day. It is absolutely beautiful. I want to go back to badly. Also, to Sevilla <3
Shelly Daniels Watson / July 13, 2015 at 7:00 pm /
I love falafel!! I will definitely try this one out! Thank you!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 14, 2015 at 2:35 pm /
Thanks so much Shelly 🙂 Enjoy it!