Crispy fried falafel makes eating salad fun! Try it in this falafel kale salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, pita chips, and hummus dressing – you won’t be disappointed.
falafel kale salad with hummus dressing

FAVORITE. SALAD. STATUS.

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And I really don’t let just any old pile of leafy greens into my inner salad circle.

So…you know I mean business.

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Faaalllaaffeeelll!!! On a bed of BABY KALE. So, healthful. Does it get any better?

Lest you think I came up with this sort of genius all on my lonesome – uh, no. All credit goes to a local salad-based chain restaurant near where I work that beckoned me in with their dazzling promises of a healthy quick lunch and hooked me with their chickpea fritter prowess.

So basic! So brilliant!

So. Yum.

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I’m pretty sure after that first falafel salad, I swore to myself that I would eat there at least on a daily basis, but apparently spending ten dollars a day on salad adds up? Or so my credit card statement said. (Oops.)

So, of course, I had to recreate it at home.

With legit fried falafel and my favorite hummus-based dressing. Natch.

YES I’m telling you to stand in front of a vat of hot oil and drop tiny chickpea balls into it…but it is easy and it is worth it. I pinky swear. The falafel cook pretty quickly and don’t splatter or try to attack you in any other sort of inappropriate way (<– fried cheese, I’m looking at you), so the whole ordeal is over before you know it.

And then you get to eat falafel tossed into your salad greens when it’s over with all sorts of summer freshness, like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage and onions.

A handful of pita chips and a hummus dressing drizzle on top, and I daresay we have ourselves a salad party plate….

…all without having to leave the house. #Winning.

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Falafel Kale Salad with Hummus Dressing
 
Crispy fried falafel makes eating salad fun! Try it in this falafel kale salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, pita chips, and hummus dressing - you won't be disappointed.
Yield: 4-5 servings
Ingredients
For the falafel
  • 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in cold water and drained
  • ½ medium red onion, diced
  • 3 large garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves
  • ¼ cup packed fresh flat parsley leaves
  • 5 cups oil for frying
For the dressing
  • 10 oz hummus
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
For the salad
  • 5 oz baby kale
  • 1 cucumber, seeded and cut into ½-inch dice
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • ½ red onion, diced
  • 2 cups sliced red cabbage
  • pita chips
Instructions
  1. To make the falafel, allow the chickpeas to soak in water overnight, at least 8-12 hours.
  2. The next day, drain the chickpeas well. Place in a food processor, along with the red onion, garlic, flour, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, cilantro, and parsley. Pulse until it just begins to come together. Place in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for one hour.
  3. Pour the oil into a large, deep pot or skillet. Place over medium-heat. Set a paper towel-lined plate aside. Once the oil is hot, shape the falafel mixture into 1-inch round balls. Carefully place the falafel into the hot oil, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes, flipping constantly, until browned on all sides. Transfer to the paper towel-lined plate. Repeat until all of the falafel mix is used up.
  4. For the dressing, whisk together the hummus, olive oil, vinegar, and sesame oil.
  5. In a large bowl, toss together the kale, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, onion, and cabbage. Divide among serving bowls. Top with the falafel and a handful of pita chips.
Notes
Falafel recipe from Blogging Over Thyme
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bowl

More fun ways to eat salad:

greek salad with hummus dressing

Greek Salad with Hummus Dressing

golden corn salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh basil

Golden Corn Salad with Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Fresh Basil

cajun sweet potato salad with cornmeal-crusted okra, corn and bell peppers

Cajun Sweet Potato Salad with Cornmeal-Crusted Okra, Corn, and Bell Peppers

From Around the Web:

Marinated Zucchini Feta Salad with Toasted Pistachio Breadcrumbs from How Sweet Eats

Zucchini Watermelon and Feta Salad from Hip Foodie Mom

Fig and Fried Goat Cheese Salad with Nectarine Vinaigrette from The View From Great Island

Peach Feta Salad with Peach Vinaigrette from Nutmeg Nanny

Roasted Red Onions with Walnut Salsa and Feta Salad from Ciao Chow Bambina

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51 Responses to Falafel Kale Salad with Hummus Dressing

  1. I am all over this one!!!

  2. I reallllly love that dressing! Well, this whole salad actually, but I love making fun new salad dressings for work lunches! Can’t wait to try this out!

  3. Gahhh, nothing I love more than falafel! Really, the only place in town to get it as in the mall food court, so I try not to do that too often. Also, love drizzingly a chickpea dressing over my fried chickpeas, mmm.

  4. CakePants says:

    This is definitely a salad I could see wanting to eat every day! I’ve used a dollop of hummus and lemon juice in place of salad dressing before, but I’m super intrigued by the idea of actually making salad dressing out of hummus. Yum!

  5. I’m sure it tasted way better than the bought one did!

  6. OMG yes! I had a “fast food” falafel salad a few weeks ago that has had me craving it non stop. This must be made!!

  7. Those falafel are so gorgeous and I love hummus dressing too. A fantastic meal, Joanne.

  8. Do want.

    Hummus makes the. best. addition to salad dressings! I’ve even used it plain, on its own, on top of a veggie packed salad.

  9. Hummus dressing?! I’m sold! And the falafel take this salad to a whole new level. Incredible!

  10. Heather says:

    Considering how much my family loves anything fried, I just might be able to talk them into this one – it sounds yummy!

  11. Oh man…that photo of the fried falafel is killing me! I actually had a falafel wrap last night…it must be in the air! Perfect salad, my friend!

  12. I just had a salad that had hummus dressing on it and was looking for a way to recreate it! Can’t wait to try your variation!

  13. Lisa says:

    I’m sold on that one. Gorgeous combination of flavors. If a restaurant nearby served that, well, I don’t know what happen to my credit limit 🙂

  14. Julia says:

    Amazing how a good salad can be just as expensive as a legit meal. I’m always surprised by the cost of my own salad consumption, so I hear ya on keeping the prep in-house. I haven’t had nearly enough falafel in my life, and this looks faaaantastic. That hummus dressing?! YUHS!

  15. cheri says:

    This is the perfect salad, love falafel!

  16. I love falafel and that hummus dressing sounds so good too!

  17. Mira says:

    I’ve been thinking to make falafel for a while now! Thanks for the awesome recipe Joanne! Love this salad! Pinned!

  18. Eileen says:

    Falafel in salad form sound like the best ever summer lunch! What a great idea.

  19. Agness says:

    Sweetie, this salad is not only healthy and delicious, but so freaking easy to make!! 🙂

  20. I think it’s time I face my falafel challenge. Can you believe I’ve never eaten one? They just never looked all that appealing to me. Well that was until you put them inside a salad. You know how much I love a salad Joanne :). I might have to try this out.

  21. No, it literally does not get better. Falafel and kale is life.

  22. Pam says:

    Yes! I seriously want this salad!!! YUM.

  23. Oh, Joanne, I would definitely be ordering this salad if I saw it in my local cafe … or getting you to make it for me! It sounds really delicious, and I love the sound of the hummus dressing.
    The best thing is how crispy you’ve got those falafel … mmm!

  24. Julie says:

    I.LOVE.FALAFEL.
    Anything with falafel, bring it! I spent the entire week eating at this greek restaurant with falafel wraps and I can still have more! Thanks so much for sharing, I’m adding this to my recipe book! Pinned 😀

  25. Lynn says:

    Wish I had some of that right now!

  26. GiGi Eats says:

    I could certainly get it on with this salad! 😉

  27. So delicious! I love kale salads and I had falafel today and I”m already craving it again! Pinned 🙂

  28. What is this fabulousness?! I’m seriously wishing there was a Just Salad near me, but yay for homemade versions of restaurant favorites! I bet your version is even better than the original. 😉

  29. Hotly Spiced says:

    You do make salads looks amazing and this one is one of your best. I love how there is hummus in the dressing as it goes to well with falafel. And I like how there is plenty of crunch with the pita chips xx

  30. Wow, I can just imagine how good this would taste.

  31. There is so much to love about this delicious salad, Joanne. Falafel+kale+hummus = YUM! I want this in my life! 🙂

  32. This salad is so many levels of brilliant. And I want all of this brilliance in my tummy ASAP.

  33. danielle says:

    This is definitely my kind of salad and I do believe the fried falafels are cancelled out by the baby kale. And that dressing – sounds amazing!

  34. Susan says:

    I love falafel so much I can believe I haven’t trying making my own yet either! I know I would love digging into this salad, Joanne.

  35. Oh yum! That hummus dressing!!! And fried falafel!!! YES – I’ll eat this salad 2X EVERYDAY!

  36. Kate says:

    I am so into pita chips lately.

  37. I do love falafel and hummus and kale – what a delicious salad – Joanne.

  38. Kelly says:

    Kale and falafel in a salad! That sounds amazing! Love the hummus dressing too!

  39. This sounds amazing !! We have to try these chickpeas balls fried ! It sound so delicious, can’t wait to try this!

  40. Ala says:

    GAH. I love “fav salad ever status” moments–saving this one, girl!

  41. easypeasy says:

    This totally sounds worth it and easy! Always love to try fun, new and exciting salad recipes and this definitely is one! 🙂

  42. I have been craving good falafel – this salad is making me hungry!!

  43. […] Falafel Kale Salad with Hummus Dressing via Joanne Eats Well […]

  44. YUM! This looks so great! Now I feel guilty that I don’t know that I have a favorite salad…better work on that 😉

  45. elly says:

    Mind blown at hummus dressing. I will definitely be giving this one a try! I’ve never made falafel (because of frying) but I’ll work up the courage. 🙂

  46. tigerfish says:

    It gets better than healthful. It is delicious and nutritious too, if you ask me :p

  47. Loutrina says:

    Made this tonight!! it was amazing. I made one change though, I added roasted sweet potato!! It really sent it over the top. Cant wait to have it again tomorrow.

  48. Christine says:

    Looks sooo yummy???

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