Homemade Cava Bowl with Veggie Falafels

vegan / gluten free / dairy free

A perfect homemade Cava bowl recipe for a quick and easy lunch or dinner!

These falafels are of course made with the typical ingredients, but I bulked them up and added some extra nourishment with some shredded veggies inside. I love making these falafels ahead of time, freezing them, and having them ready to pop in the oven or air fryer and have dinner ready in 10 minutes.

I always will switch up my added sides to this bowl. Sometimes I'll use roasted carrots or cauliflower, or in this case I’ll use all fresh and raw summer veggies that are typically found in Mediterranean bowls.

Here’s what you’ll need to make these Veggie Falafels:

• zucchini

• red bell pepper

• red onion

• chick peas

• parsley

• garlic

• salt + pepper

• almond flour

• tahini

• smoked paprika

• cumin

I am beyond obsessed with Cava so this homemade version is the exact thing I need to hit the spot. Blend the ingredients in a food processor together to make these amazing veggie falafels, and the rest is totally customizable! I’ve written down my favorite combo for the best homemade Cava bowl.

Homemade Cava Bowl with Veggie Falafels

(serves 2-4)

ingredients:

veggie falafels

• 1/2 zucchini, shredded

• 1/2 red bell pepper

• 1 small red onion, chopped

• 1 can chick peas, rinsed and patted dry

• 1/2 cup parsley

• 2 garlic cloves

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

• 3 tbsp almond flour

• 1 tbsp tahini

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp cumin

Homemade Cava Bowl (serving size is 1 bowl)

• 2 Veggie Falafels (recipe above)

• 2 tbsp Lemon Harissa Hummus (recipe here)

• 1 cup spinach

• 1 cup mixed greens

• 1/2 cup sliced radishes

• 1 tomato, chopped

• 2 tbsp pickled red onions

• 1 persian cucumber, chopped

• squeeze of lemon

directions:

1. squeeze out the excess water from the shredded zucchini until dried. add all the ingredients for the veggie falafels into a food processor and pulse until coarse dough forms.

2. roll the falafel dough into patties or balls. place on baking sheet and freeze until ready to eat.

3. to cook, air fry the falafels from frozen at 400 F for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. if cooking them not-frozen, air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

4. to assemble the Homemade Cava Bowls, lay the lettuce, then the chopped veggies, air fried falafels and some of the Lemon Harissa Hummus. squeeze some lemon overtop it all and enjoy!

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