Cava-Inspired Vegan Falafel Bowl

Last Updated on June 24, 2024 by Christin Gillespie

This Cava-Inspired Vegan Falafel Bowl recipe embodies all the flavors from the Mediterranean food chain, but in a more nutritious form. Featuring fresh veggies, cooked lentils, homemade baked falafels, diced avocado, creamy hummus, and a lemon herb tahini dressing. It’s a healthy copycat Cava bowl recipe that is perfect for a night in & meal prep approved.

If you love Cava, then you’ll love this recipe! Let me correct myself, if you love Mediterranean food, then you’ll be addicted to this copycat Cava bowl recipe. This Cava-Inspired Vegan Falafel Bowl recipe is fresh, flavorful, & full loaded with nutrition!

In all honesty, it wasn’t until last year that I tried Cava and it was pretty yummy. Even though it is one of the “healthier” options when it comes to fast food, it still doesn’t meet my standards. My standards are high. 

As a result, I had to recreate my own using organic ingredients, healthy oils, no soy, and applying a baking vs. frying technique for the falafels. Let me assure you my friends, this healthy vegan falafel bowl recipe is better than the real deal and it’s just as good for meal prep if I do say so myself.

So swap your night out for a delicious night in with this Cava-Inspired Vegan Falafel Bowl, you won’t regret it!

Why You’ll Love This  Cava-Inspired Vegan Falafel Bowl

• Full of Flavor & Loaded with Nutrition: Fiber-rich, protein-packed, healthy-fats filled, and so much more. This Cava-Inspired Vegan Falafel Bowl recipe has it all.
• The Perfect Meal: This vegan bowl recipe is full of nourishment to fuel you right up!
• “Healthy” Food Chain Worthy: This copycat Cava recipe is more delicious & wholesome than the real deal. 
• Great for Meal Prep: This dish stores well in the fridge, making it a great recipe to meal prep for quick dinners throughout the week.

Ingredients

• Organic Homemade Falafels: We’re baking up some homemade falafels that are loaded with flavor. Please don’t be intimidated, they’re so simple to make. 
• Organic Black Lentils: If you don’t have black lentils you can certainly use brown or even green lentils. I just don’t recommend red lentils for this recipe.
• Organic Vegetables: This bowl is loaded with fresh veggies such as cherry tomatoes, red onion, English cucumber, sauerkraut, and super greens. 
• Organic Avocado: Slice it or dice it to top your vegan bowl.
• Organic Hummus: A dollop or two of hummus is essential for any Cava inspired recipe.
• Organic Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing: It wouldn’t be a Cava bowl without the dressing. We’re whipping up the irresistible tahini dressing to complete this recipe.

How To Make

1. Falafels. Soak the chickpeas in a bowl of water overnight. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Drain the soaked chickpeas and add to a food processor, along with the remaining ingredients, starting with ⅓ cup chickpea flour. Process until mostly smooth. If it appears too wet and won’t easily form into balls, add a tablespoon or two of extra chickpea flour. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the falafel mixture and roll them into even balls with your hands. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown on the outside.
2. Lentils. Cook according to package instructions.
3. Vegetable Mix. In a bowl, add the ingredients and mix until combined.
4. Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing. Add all the ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble. Layer the bed of greens as the base, then add the fresh vegetables, cooked lentils, and falafels. Add a scoop or two of hummus, diced avocado, and a drizzle of the tahini dressing. Enjoy!

Tips for Making this Copycat Cava Bowl Perfectly

• Organic Dry Chickpeas: For this falafel recipe, you cannot substitute canned chickpeas for dried chickpeas. Canned chickpeas have too much moisture and the dough won’t stick together. 
• Organic Flour: If the falafel dough feels too wet, add another 1 – 2 tbsp of organic chickpea flour.
• Baking: Be sure to flip the falafel halfway in the oven. This ensures that everything gets baked to perfection.
• Organic Vegetables: Include your favorite vegetables in these vegan falafel bowls. Add spinach, kale, olives, or whatever you have on hand.
• Organic Herbs: If you don’t have organic cilantro, you can use parsley or even basil in its place.
• Organic Lentils: Use green, black, or brown lentils for this vegan bowl. 

Storing & Reheating

As mentioned above, this Cava-inspired recipe is perfect for leftovers & meal prep! Just be sure to let the ingredients cool completely before transferring to an air-tight glass container. 

Fridge Storage. Transfer the ingredients to separate air-tight glass containers and refrigerator for up to 4 – 5 days.

Reheating. To reheat, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer the cooked lentils and falafels to an oven-safe bowl. Place in the oven for about 15 minutes, until warmed through. To serve, pair with the toppings.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Spicy Sweet Potato Falafel Bowls with Cilantro Tzatziki
• Vegan Pumpkin Falafel Bowls
• Copycat Erewhon Kale White Bean Salad
• Copycat Café Gratitude I Am Humble 

Sharing Is Caring!

If you make this recipe, please leave a review & rating below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Lastly, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, & TikTok for even more deliciousness & wellness tips!

Xoxo.

Christin.

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