Food database · Legumes & beans
Protein content
A 3 patties serving of falafel contains 6.8 g of protein - a moderate source of protein, about 14% of the 50 g Daily Value.
Share of this food's calories that come from protein - it is more of an energy food than a protein food.
| Serving | 3 patties (51 g) |
|---|---|
| Protein per serving | 6.8 g |
| Protein per 100 g | 13.3 g |
| Calories per serving | 170 kcal |
| Protein density | 16% of calories |
| Share of 50 g Daily Value | 14% |
| Protein quality | Incomplete protein |
| Category | Legumes & beans |
| Food type | Prepared / processed |
| USDA record | FoodData Central #172455 |
A typical 3 patties serving of falafel contains 6.8 grams of protein (13.3 g per 100 g), which makes it a moderate source of protein. That covers roughly 14% of the 50 g reference Daily Value, so it adds toward your protein total for the day.
Around 16% of the calories in falafel come from protein, so it is more of an energy food than a protein food. It contributes to a day's protein total, but the bulk of what it delivers is energy rather than amino acids - treat it as a contributor alongside a denser source, not as the protein in a meal.
Among the 54 legumes in the database, falafel ranks 47th by protein per serving, and 394th out of all 796 foods on the site. Set against chunky peanut butter, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.9 g less protein (chunky peanut butter has 7.7 g per 2 tbsp).
It is an incomplete protein on its own; pairing it with other plant foods across the day covers the full range of essential amino acids. The serving above is counted by piece at 51 g. Because pieces vary, the per-100 g figure is the one to use when comparing this against a food measured a different way.
Deep frying adds a lot of fat that the underlying chickpeas do not have.
Source: USDA FoodData Central #172455 - "Falafel, home-prepared" (SR Legacy, published 4/1/2019). Values are the published reference figures for that record, not lab measurements for a specific brand or batch.
Quick answers
Falafel has 13.3 g of protein per 100 g. A typical 3 patties serving (51 g) provides 6.8 g.
No. Falafel is an incomplete protein on its own; pairing it with other protein sources across the day covers the full range of essential amino acids.
A 3 patties serving of falafel contains 6.8 g of protein, about 14% of the 50 g reference Daily Value.
Falafel is a moderate source of protein, and about 16% of its calories come from protein, which makes it more of an energy food than a protein food. Set against chunky peanut butter, another legume entry in the database, a serving carries about 0.9 g less protein (chunky peanut butter has 7.7 g per 2 tbsp).
Related