Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about our falafel, tahini, or falafel mix? You’re in the right place. Hafle Foods is a brand of Zetlian Bakery, a family-owned company that has made authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods for more than 50 years. Below are clear answers to the questions we hear most: what our falafel is made of, how to cook it, dietary details, pack sizes, and foodservice options. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, get in touch, and we’ll be glad to help.
About Hafle Foods
Haflé means “celebration” in Arabic. The name fits what falafel has always been about: bringing people together to share good food. Everything we make is meant to turn an ordinary meal into something worth gathering for, from a quick weeknight dinner to a holiday spread.
All of our products are made in our family-owned facility in Sun Valley, California. The 50,000-plus-square-foot bakery is SQF-certified, which means it meets strict, independently audited food safety and quality standards. Making everything under one roof lets us control quality from ingredient sourcing through the finished frozen product.
You can find Hafle products at major retailers, including Costco, Smart & Final, Ralphs, Vons, and Trader Joe’s, with availability varying by region and season. For the current list of stores and online options near you, check our where to buy page.
A few things. Our recipe comes from five decades of doing this; the ingredient list is clean with no artificial flavors or colors, and the product is frozen and ready to heat and enjoy. Because we make everything in our own SQF-certified facility, every batch holds to the same standard, from a single retail pouch to a foodservice pallet.
Our falafel starts with garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and fava beans, blended with fresh onions, parsley, garlic, sesame seeds, and Mediterranean spices. It’s a clean, plant-based recipe with no artificial flavors or colors. Exact ingredients vary a little by product, so always check the packaging. Our guide on what falafel is made of has a closer look.
Our falafel is made with naturally gluten-free ingredients, garbanzo and fava beans rather than wheat flour, and is offered as a gluten-free product. Because recipes and packaging can change, check the label on your specific product for current certification details, especially if you have celiac disease. Note that our falafel also contains sesame. For more, see is falafel gluten-free.
Our falafel is made with simple, plant-based ingredients and a clean-label approach, and Non-GMO is part of how we think about sourcing. If you need formal documentation, confirm the current certification on the specific product. Our team can send up-to-date specification sheets on request.
No. Hafle falafel has no artificial flavors or colors. The flavor and color come from real vegetables, fresh herbs, and traditional spices, which keep the ingredient list clean and easy to read, the way authentic falafel has always been made.
Plant-based demand keeps growing, and falafel is a familiar, well-liked way to meet it. Hafle gives retailers and operators an authentic, vegan, clean-label protein that cooks fast and works across menus, from bowls and wraps to salads and mezze. It appeals to dedicated plant-based eaters and curious first-timers alike.
Our Sun Valley facility is SQF certified, a leading food-safety standard recognized worldwide, and we operate under HACCP-based food-safety programs in line with FDA and USDA requirements. These independently verified systems help make sure every batch meets consistent safety and quality standards, which matters a great deal to our restaurant and retail partners.
Yes. Falafel is made with chickpeas and fava beans, both naturally rich in plant protein and fiber, making it a satisfying, meat-free centerpiece for bowls, wraps, and salads. It fits vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian diets, and pairs well with the whole-foods emphasis of the Mediterranean diet.
Yes. Our tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, so it’s naturally dairy-free and plant-based. Despite its rich, creamy texture, there’s no milk in it. Use it to drizzle over falafel, dress salads and bowls, or as a dip. Our post on whether tahini has dairy goes into more detail.
Cook it straight from frozen, with no thawing needed. In an air fryer, cook regular falafel at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, or 6-8 minutes for minis, shaking once. You can also bake or pan-fry until it’s hot and crisp. For step-by-step methods, see how to cook falafel.
Falafel Rings cook quickly from frozen. Air fry at 370°F for 7-10 minutes, or bake until golden and heated through. Their flat shape crisps evenly and fits neatly in a pita or wrap. Full details are on the Falafel Rings product page.
Add water to the mix following the package directions, let it rest for 5-10 minutes, then shape it into balls or patties. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, pan-fry 3-4 minutes a side, air fry at 370°F for 12-15 minutes, or deep-fry at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. Our guide to what falafel mix is walks through every method.
Yes, and it’s one of the easiest ways to get a crisp outside with little or no added oil. Arrange the frozen falafel in a single layer, cook at the temperature on the package, and shake the basket once, partway through, to ensure it browns evenly. Most pieces are ready in well under 10 minutes.
Most of our frozen falafel is ready in about 8-10 minutes from frozen, and minis are quicker still. That speed is part of the point: it suits busy weeknights at home as well as high-volume kitchens that need fast, consistent service during a rush.
Falafel goes with almost anything. Tuck it into pita with fresh vegetables, build a grain bowl over rice or quinoa, scatter it over a Mediterranean salad, or serve it mezze-style with tahini, hummus, and pickles. For ready-made ideas, browse our falafel bowl recipes and Explore the Mediterranean.
Yes. There’s no soaking, grinding, or shaping. You just cook the frozen falafel in an air fryer, oven, or skillet straight from the freezer. With little equipment and under ten minutes of cooking, it’s a practical, authentic protein for students, small apartments, and anyone short on counter space.
Traditional Falafel is the classic round shape; Mini Falafel is bite-sized for salads and snacking; Falafel Rings lie flat for easy stacking in wraps; and Jalapeño Cauliflower Falafel adds a vegetable-forward, lightly spicy twist. All share the same clean, plant-based foundation.
We offer flexible formats to fit different needs: retail-sized bags for households, larger Falafel Mix pouches and bulk pails for frequent cooks, and foodservice packs sized for restaurants, delis, and institutional kitchens. This range lets single shoppers and multi-location operators order the right quantity.
Hafle Foods is a brand of Zetlian Bakery, a family-owned company with more than 50 years of experience making authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods. The Hafle line launched in 2024 to bring our chef-crafted falafel and tahini to home kitchens, delis, and restaurants. You can read more on our about us page.
Our lineup includes Traditional Falafel, Mini Falafel, Falafel Rings, Jalapeño Cauliflower Falafel, creamy Tahini, and our retail and bulk Falafel Mix for making falafel from scratch at home or in a commercial kitchen.
Yes. Our recipes come from more than 50 years of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking, using the same traditional base of ground legumes, fresh herbs, and warm spices that have defined falafel for generations. We put authentic flavor first and convenience second, so you get a real taste of the Mediterranean without hours of prep.
Yes, all of our falafel flavors are 100% vegan. They’re made entirely from plants: legumes, vegetables, herbs, and spices, with no animal products, dairy, or eggs. Our tahini is plant-based too, so it’s easy to put together a fully vegan Mediterranean meal.
Yes. Our falafel contains sesame, and some products are made on equipment that also handles other allergens. Always read the allergen statement on the package before serving, particularly if you’re cooking for guests or customers with food sensitivities. We keep our ingredient lists clean and easy to scan.
Hafle Foods makes its products with halal and kosher considerations in mind, and we hold a range of food safety and dietary certifications. Certification status can vary by product and is updated over time, so we recommend confirming the current certification for the specific item you need. Our team can provide documentation for foodservice and retail buyers.
Yes. Our retail bags are sized for individual households and smaller appetites, making them a practical choice for students, singles, and anyone who wants authentic falafel without committing to a bulk purchase. Because the product is frozen, you can cook just a few pieces at a time and keep the rest for later.
Keep falafel in the freezer until you’re ready to cook it. If it has thawed, store it in the refrigerator and use it within about 10 days. Don’t leave falafel at room temperature for long periods. Once cooked, refrigerate leftovers and enjoy them within a few days.
Kept continuously frozen, our falafel has a long shelf life. Always go by the best-by date printed on the package for your specific product. That long-frozen window makes it easy to stock up at home and helps delis, restaurants, and retailers manage inventory with less waste.
For the best quality and safety, cook falafel once it has thawed rather than refreezing it raw. If your falafel has thawed in the refrigerator, keep it chilled and use it within about 10 days. Cooking thawed falafel promptly gives you the crispest texture and the freshest flavor.
Yes. Alongside our retail line, we make frozen foodservice products built for restaurants, delis, caterers, and institutional kitchens. They’re made for consistent results at volume and fast preparation during service, so operators can put authentic Mediterranean dishes on the menu without specialized labor.
Yes. We supply bulk and foodservice formats suited to single locations and multi-unit operations alike. For wholesale pricing, case configurations, and availability in your area, reach out through our contact page, and our team will help you find the right setup for your business.
Yes. We keep our recipes simple and our labels easy to read: real legumes, vegetables, herbs, and spices, with no artificial flavors or colors. Clear ingredient lists let home cooks, health-conscious shoppers, and foodservice buyers see exactly what they’re getting and serve it with confidence.
We do. Our foodservice formats are built to support portion control and different volume needs, from a busy deli to a multi-location restaurant group. Flexible pack sizing helps operators manage food cost, cut waste, and keep storage practical, while still serving authentic, consistent falafel.
Yes. Our falafel cooks quickly from frozen and gives consistent results batch after batch, which is exactly what high-volume kitchens need during a rush. Because every product comes from our own SQF-certified facility, operators get dependable quality and food safety they can build a menu around.
We’re always glad to talk with new retail and wholesale partners. The best first step is to contact us through our contact page or email info@haflefoods.com with details about your business and the products you’re interested in. Our team will follow up to discuss pricing, logistics, and next steps.
Falafel is an economical, plant-based protein to begin with, and buying it frozen means you cook only what you need and waste less. For wholesale and bulk buyers, we offer formats built to deliver strong value at volume. Contact our team for current pricing tailored to your business or order size.
Yes. Our 50,000-plus-square-foot facility is built for volume, enabling us to support multi-location restaurant groups and growing grocery chains with dependable supply. Making everything in-house under one SQF-certified roof means quality and consistency hold steady even as order sizes grow.
We work closely with our retail partners to help Hafle products do well on the shelf. To talk through partnership details, promotional opportunities, and what support is available for your stores, reach out to our team, and we’ll tailor the conversation to your channel and customers.
Falafel works well for a crowd. It travels and reheats easily, suits vegan and vegetarian guests, and scales up without much fuss, which suits a name that means celebration. Bulk and foodservice formats make it practical to cook large quantities for events, family gatherings, and catered spreads while maintaining authentic flavor.
Consistency comes from making everything ourselves. Producing in a single SQF-certified facility under HACCP-based food safety programs means every batch follows the same recipe, process, and checks. That is why a Hafle falafel tastes the same whether it’s the first case of an order or the hundredth.