Get the flavors of a falafel sandwich in a healthy bowl. We roast a can of chickpeas with falafel spices, make a tahini sauce, then combine it with your choice of cooked grains, cooked vegetables, and the classic falafel toppings of tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion.

Makes 4 bowls

See oven instructions at the bottom.

Make the roasted chickpeas. Open the can of chickpeas, drain, and save the liquid from the can (the aquafaba). You don’t need to rinse your chickpeas but drain off as much moisture as possible. Put the chickpeas in a medium bowl. 

1 (15.5-oz.) can chickpeas and the aquafaba, separated

Add the following ingredients to the bowl and stir to coat all the chickpeas. 

1 tablespoon of the aquafaba (save the rest for other recipes – you can freeze it)

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon ground cumin 

¼ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Transfer the coated chickpeas to your air fryer and shake the pot a bit so the chickpeas spread out evenly. Set the air fryer temperature to 400ºF and cook for 10 minutes, stirring and redistributing them after 5 minutes. The chickpeas will not be completely crisp, but they will be nicely cooked and well-seasoned. (If you want them crisp, air-fry them for another 5 minutes or longer.)

Make the tahini sauce. Blend the following ingredients together in a small blender. Add more water if needed.

⅓ cup tahini

⅓ cup warm water

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

Make the bowls. When everything is ready, assemble the bowls.

Cooked brown rice or other grain

Steamed or roasted vegetables

The roasted chickpeas

Diced tomatoes

Diced cucumbers

Diced red onion

Additional ingredients as desired to customize your bowls

Drizzle with sauce and serve.

The tahini sauce

The components will last about a week in the fridge (store them separately from one another). The tahini sauce can be frozen.

Oven instructions for roasted chickpeas:

Spread the coated chickpeas out on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicon mat. Roast them in a preheated 425°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking them on the pan once or twice during the cooking time, until they have started to cook on the outside but are not hard.

Prep time: 30 minutes (air-fryer); 45 minutes (oven)