These easy mini falafel pies with onion chutney combine ready-rolled puff pastry with a spicy falafel and sweet onion filling, and are topped with an apricot glaze. They're simple to make and perfect for Lunchboxes, Picnics, parties, or a light lunch.
With just a handful of ingredients and no pre-cooking, these little vegan pies are surprisingly easy to make.
The combination of savoury falafel, sweet onion and crisp, golden pastry is what makes them so good. They're delicious warm from the oven, but you can also enjoy them cold, which makes them handy for Packed Lunches and Picnics.
At-a-Glance - Falafel Onion Pies
⏲️ Ready in: 32 minutes
👪 Serves: 15 (mini pies)
🍽 Calories: 106
🧾 Main ingredients: Puff pastry, falafel, caramelised onions, apricot jam (or marmalade) & oregano
👩🏻🍳 Suitable for: Vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, egg-free, vegetarian
Little golden crispy pastries with a wonderful savoury filling with a touch of sweetness. They are very moreish; it's hard to stop at one!
Summarise & save this recipe:
⭐ Why You'll Love These Mini Falafel Pies
- Only a handful of ingredients but lots of flavour
- No pre-cooking the filling
- Ready-rolled pastry keeps things easy
- Great served hot or cold
- Perfect for lunchboxes
- Easy to make ahead
- Freezer-friendly
- A fun alternative to Vegan Sausage Rolls or Traditional Mini Pies
📋 What You Need
Here are the simple ingredients you need to make these fabulous little pies. The full ingredient list and method are in the recipe card.
- Falafel - you can use shop-bought falafel or make Homemade Falafel
- Caramelised onions - either a jar of caramelised onions or caramelised onion chutney
- Apricot jam - or orange marmalade
👩🏻🍳 How to make Falafel Onion Pies
Here are a few photos to show you how easy these falafel pies are to make. The full recipe and method are in the recipe card.
- Step 1: Preheat the oven then carefully unroll the pastry and cut it into 15 squares (3 lines of 5).
- Step 2: Score a border around each pastry square and space them out over two lined baking sheets.
- Step 3: Spread a layer of caramelised onion on each square of pastry inside the border.
- Step 4: Top each with a falafel in the middle; if the falafel is big, you can add half a falafel.
- Step 5: Brush the falafel with apricot jam, then top with a sprinkle of oregano.
- Step 6: Bake until golden. Enjoy!
Jac's Top Tip
💭 Don't get onion on the border
Keeping the pastry border clear allows the pastry to rise for a golden, raised edge. For extra colour, you can brush the border with milk or olive oil
Also, if the jam is thick, warm it for a minute or two in the microwave (or a pot) to thin it, so it's easier to brush on the falafel.
💭 Which puff pastry to use?
Most puff pastry is accidentally vegan from the supermarket brands to the big brands, but if it says 'all butter' it isn't suitable as it contains dairy.
If you're not sure, check the ingredient list. Oh, and ready-rolled puff pastry is very convenient and saves time, but you can roll a block of puff pastry if you prefer.
👩🏻🍳 what to serve with falafel pies
| Lunchbox | Picnic | Dinner |
|---|---|---|
| Hummus | Dill Coleslaw | Roast potatoes |
| Cherry tomatoes | Lentil Couscous Salad | Roast parsnips |
| Cucumber slices | Pizza Swirls | Carrots with coriander |
| Fruit | Dill Potato Salad | Broccoli |
| Brownie Bites (dessert) | Green salad | Onion gravy |
💭 FAQs
Yes, let them cool and store in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.
Freeze before you bake them on a tray, transfer to a labelled and dated freezer bag and bake from frozen.
If you don't pre-heat the oven, or leave the pastry to get warm or spread filling on the border is will struggle to rise.
Either move to a lower shelf or if your oven runs hot, turn the temperature down.
Melt the jam by warming it in the microwave or in a pot.
They are good served both hot and cold.
You could use onion marmalade, Red Onion Chutney or another sweet and savoury chutney or pickle.
👩🏻🍳 More Vegan Puff Pastry Recipes to Try Next
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📖 Recipe
Mini Falafel Onion Pies
Ingredients
- 375 g ready-rolled puff pastry (it's ok if your pastry is a bit bigger or smaller)
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 15 falafel or 15 falafel halves
- 320 g carmelised onion chutney
- 1 ½ tablespoon apricot jam or marmalade
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme works well
Instructions
- Take the pastry out of the fridge to come to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 180c/160c fan/350f/gas mark 4.
- Measure out the jam. If it's not soft, either warm in a pot or in the microwave for a few seconds until a little runnier.
- Carefully unroll the pastry and cut into squares. I cut mine into 3 lines then 5 squares in each line to give me 15 squares. You want the squares to be big enough to hold the falafel a bit of filling and a border.
- Space the squares of pastry out on 2 trays lined with non-stick baking paper and score your borders around each square.
- Brush the borders with a little olive oil, then spoon some chutney onto each square, keeping within the border.
- Top with a falafel (or falafel half), then brush the falafel generously with the jam and sprinkle on some oregano.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the pastry has risen and is golden.
- Serve hot or cold.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- I've used orange marmalade instead of apricot jam and it works well with thyme.
- If the falafel are big, I only add half to each pie.
- They are really nice if you sprinkle some vegan feta over the pies before serving them.
Sue says
These have become a favorite in this house. Sue
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I'm so glad you like them Sue. You can't beat a bit of puff pastry.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Perfect for parties. I really hope you enjoy them.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Hopefully he will enjoy them. My son did. Super easy to make too.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh yes definitely but crumble some on the tarts when you are serving them. If you put it in the oven it will melt away
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh yes definitely, they make a great appetiser.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Absolutely perfect timing then Enjoy!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I think they'll really enjoy them. Half term was a week earlier here.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Oh yes definitely. They are the perfect snack for picnics
Dannii says
These look delicious! They would be great at a picnic.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
These sound so delicious and simple too! I will definitely be making some for the kids lunch boxes now they are going back to school after half term.
Wanda says
This is such an awesome idea! My teens, well one of them, has started eating falafels and I have to make this recipe for them!
Michelle says
These mini pies look amazing! They'd be amazing as an appy for entertaining 🙂
Anonymous says
I was thinking these might be good with vegan greek cheese. Do you think that would work?
Anonymous says
Oh these are super simple. I will try making them for my son's packed lunch. Thanks for the recipe.
Natalie says
What a great idea!!!! Brilliant! So easy to make and great for summer backyard parties. I will definitely make these pies. Thanks for sharing the recipe.