How many calories in falafel?
Last updated: · Prepared by: QuickCalo Team
Short answer
One piece of falafel (about 17 g) has about 55 kcal and 2 g of protein; 100 g has about 333 kcal. What changes the calories most is the oil absorbed while frying. A USDA record for home-made fried falafel was used; a falafel sandwich is listed too.
Falafel are patties of ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with parsley, coriander, onion and spices, deep-fried until crisp. They are a breakfast staple and street food in Egypt and the Levant, tucked into bread with tahini and salad.
Chickpeas give falafel plant protein and fibre, but deep-frying adds fat. The bread and tahini in a sandwich add more on top.
| Serving | Grams | Calories (kcal) | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 piece | 17 | 55 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| 100 g | 100 | 333 | 13.3 | 31.8 | 17.8 |
| Falafel sandwich — 1 sandwich | 215 | 570 | 13 | 58 | 32 |
What changes the calories in Falafel?
- Frying: small patties absorb more oil for their size.
- Number: it is easy to eat several.
- Sandwich: bread and tahini add a lot.
How to enjoy Falafel a little lighter
- Try baked or air-fried falafel.
- Eat them with a big salad instead of bread.
How were these values calculated?
Values come from the “Falafel, home-prepared” record (FDC ID 172455) in the SR Legacy dataset of USDA FoodData Central. Values per 100 g are as listed in the record; serving values are scaled by weight.
USDA record for home-prepared falafel (fried).
Other rows in the table:
- Falafel sandwich: USDA record: “Falafel sandwich” (FDC ID 2707483).
Serving weights:
- 1 piece: USDA portion weight (FDC 172455: “1 patty (approx 2-1/4" dia)”)
Calories per 100 g are rounded to a whole number and macros to one decimal; serving calories to the nearest 5 and protein to a whole gram.
Can you count the calories in Falafel from a photo?
Yes: in QuickCalo, snap a photo of your plate or type what you ate, and get the calories and protein in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
How much does one piece of falafel weigh?
On this page, one piece of falafel is taken as about 17 g (USDA portion weight (FDC 172455: “1 patty (approx 2-1/4" dia)”)). The real weight depends on the recipe, the size and how it is served.
How much protein is in falafel?
One piece of falafel has about 2 g of protein; 100 g has 13.3 g.
Is falafel made from chickpeas or fava beans?
In the Levant usually chickpeas, in Egypt fava beans, and sometimes a mix of both.
Similar foods
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central — SR Legacy (2018) and FNDDS 2021–2023 datasets; accessed 16 October 2026
Download QuickCalo
Free to download for iPhone (iOS 15.0 or later) and Android phone (Android 7.0 or later).