10 Best Falafel UK | Cauldron Al'Fez and More

Every now and again, a falafel comes along that changes your perception of what a falafel should be. As dramatic as that sounds, the Levantine Table Sweet Potato Falafels do just that, hence why it's taken our number one spot.

Rarely does ready-made falafel match up to the homemade kind, but the combination of grated potato, sweet potato, cumin-spiced onions, currants, coriander, and lemon zest is a heavenly twist on a well-loved classic. Warm in the oven or fry in a pan and serve with tzatziki or chilli sauce for a taste sensation!

Fancy homemade falafels that don't take forever? This Falafel Mix from AL'Fez creates top-notch falafel balls or patties, and the mixture only needs to be left for 3-4 minutes before shaping!

Founded by Sam Jacobi, who grew up in the Middle East, Al'Fez brings the magic of the traditional falafel to your kitchen. A blend of chickpeas, breadcrumbs, and an abundance of herbs and spices makes for a deliciously crispy, golden falafel. The perfect balance of speed, ease, and of course, taste.

For delicious ready-made Moroccan-inspired falafel, look no further than this scrumptious offering from Waitrose. These falafels are made from a blend of chickpeas, apricot, and sultanas, seasoned with herbs and spices and fried to create a crispy golden texture.

There's a whole load of gorgeous ingredients in this blend, such as sultanas, lemon zest, garlic purée, and chopped mint, which does a rather good job of creating that homemade taste. And as usual, this falafel is 100% suitable for vegans.

If you truly love falafel and intend to eat it a lot, Med Cuisine's Falafel Mix could be a great shout. It may be a little more of an investment price-wise, but the pack includes 1 kg of falafel mix, which is excellent value.

These falafels are the real deal with high-quality ingredients sourced from the Middle East and made to a traditional recipe. However, the instructions advise to let the mixture rest for 40 minutes before shaping, which may be a little long for some — but as far as taste is concerned, they're up there with the best!

Being big fans of the ready-made falafel, we love finding exciting flavour combos, and this Moroccan Spiced Falafel by Gosh makes for a wonderfully tasty snack or side dish. Made from a blend of chickpeas, red pepper, apricots, and dates, they're slightly spicy with a hint of sweetness.

Free from all the main allergens such as nuts, gluten, dairy, and soya, anyone can enjoy these falafels, regardless of diet. Not only are they good for you, but they have a fantastic texture without being too dry or greasy. Delish!

Sharaf makes falafel mixes with health at their heart, and all of their products are nut-free, wheat-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, and vegan. If you have the time to make your own falafels, it's definitely worth the effort for this delicious blend of chickpeas, sundried tomatoes, peppers, and aromatic spices.

Very mildly spicy, this mix has an Indian flavour to it, which is a nice bit of variety if you're used to traditional Middle Eastern recipes. The falafels themselves are quick and easy to make and have a delightful combination of flavours you probably won't find in the ready-made section.

Biona is a UK-based company that makes organic foods with health and sustainability as their focus, and their falafel balls are a wholesome and appetising choice. These falafels are more of a health food than a traditional Middle Eastern recipe, but they're still incredibly tasty and satisfying.

Made from a blend of chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, Hokkaido pumpkin, and other natural and delicious ingredients — they're a great option for those avoiding gluten (but may not be suitable for coeliacs due to manufacturing methods). With a fragrant, aromatic flavour and firm texture that's not too oily, they're a excellent all-around offering from a well-known health food brand.

Cauldron Falafels are probably the most widely available falafels found in most UK supermarkets, including Waitrose, Tesco, and ASDA. These falafels are highly rated across the board, and for a good reason - they are incredibly tasty!

Cauldron specialises in plant-based food, so their Falafels are, of course, suitable for both veggies and vegans. However, they do contain wheat flour as one of the top ingredients, which is surprising as we thought a brand like Cauldron might make their falafels suitable for a gluten-free lifestyle, too.

Here at number 9, we have Birds Eye's Green Cuisine Falafel, another convenient option for your freezer. Made from a blend of chickpeas, herbs, and spices, they're lightly fried, then frozen, ready to add to a midweek meal.

Free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, these falafel balls aren't bad for such a low price. However, some reviewers found the texture to be slightly mushier than others, and the taste is often described as a little bland.

Goodlife make healthy vegetarian food that focuses more on veg than meat substitutes and pride itself on using natural ingredients free from artificial colours or flavours. Their Lemon, Cumin & Coriander Falafel is suitable for vegans, veggies, and gluten-free diets.

There are 14 in a pack, which is very reasonable for under £2, but reviewers have described them as a little too dry in texture. Also, they are packaged in a plastic wrapper inside the cardboard box, which seems a little wasteful and unnecessary.