I have looked into many different healthy, vegetarian recipes to feed my children, which didn’t always appease them. But this falafel recipe is my favorite because my kids simply love these Middle Eastern falafel.
The reason why my kids love them is because of how crispy and flavorful this dish is. They are not much of a fan of chickpeas in general, but they love this version of a chickpea-based dish.
This homemade falafel recipe is one that comes from Middle Eastern street food, and they are absolutely delicious. It’s easy to make at home and is naturally vegan.
So, if you want to get a hold of this traditional falafel recipe, keep reading and learn more information about this dish.
Why You’ll Love This Falafel Recipe
- Crispy texture on the outside.
- Soft texture inside.
- Made with simple ingredients.
- Naturally vegan and healthy.
- Versatile serving options.
- Easy to customize.
What Is Falafel?
Falafel is made with chickpeas or fava beans, herbs, and spices. It is golden brown and crispy on the outside, and soft and savory on the inside. Usually, it is deep-fried, but there are baked falafel versions as well.
The chickpea falafel recipe originates from the Middle Eastern street foods. It is completely vegan, healthy, and delicious. The falafel ingredients are also simple and easy to find in the pantry. It’s great for family gatherings and occasions!
Ingredients for Falafel Recipe
- Chickpeas: Dried chickpeas are the main ingredient for this recipe, and you have to soak chickpeas in water for 24 hours.
- Fresh Herbs: Parsley and coriander are the main herb combinations that add the color and freshness to falafel.
- Aromatics: Garlic and onion give the falafel mixture a rich, savory taste and delicious aroma.
- Spices: Cumin powder and coriander powder add warm, earthy flavor, while paprika and black pepper bring a mild spicy kick.
- Seasonings: Salt, turmeric powder, and lemon juice help balance the flavors and make the falafel more delicious.
- Binders: Gram flour and corn starch work as binders to hold the mixture together and create a fluffier texture.
- Sauce: We use Greek yoghurt and tahini to make a creamy and flavorful falafel sauce that pairs perfectly with crispy homemade falafel.
Tips for Perfect Falafel
- Why falafel falls apart? Well, you can’t use canned chickpeas for this recipe if you don’t want your falafel to fall apart. Also, make sure you chill the mixture.
- Make sure you deep fry the falafel at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius to get that crispy texture on the outside.
- If you want to avoid your falafel from getting too dense, you have to make sure it is properly chilled and aerated.
- To get the correct frying temperature for this vegan falafel recipe, set the heat to medium-high and use a thermometer.
What to Serve with Falafel
- Pita Bread: You can serve falafel with some pita bread on the side.
- Falafel Wraps: Make a falafel wrap with some roasted veggies.
- Falafel Sandwiches: Cut falafel slices and put them between sandwich bread with some vegetables to make a falafel sandwich.
- Hummus Tahini: You can dip your falafel in hummus or make a tahini sauce.
- Burgers: Make falafel patties to make a falafel burger.
Cooking Methods
Deep Frying (Traditional):
Heat oil in a deep pan to 175–180°C (350–360°F). Carefully add the falafel balls and fry for 3–5 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan so the temperature stays steady. Once done, remove and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Baked Falafel:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and lightly brush or spray oil on the falafel. Arrange them evenly on the tray and bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even browning. The result is a healthier version with a slightly crisp exterior.
Air Fryer Falafel:
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Lightly spray the falafel with oil and place them in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 12–15 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through cooking. This method gives a crispy texture using very little oil.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- You can store the raw falafel mixture in the refrigerator or in the freezer for a long time for a make ahead dish.
- If you want to store some leftover cooked falafel, you can place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for about 3 to 5 days.
- You can reheat falafels in the microwave or the oven by splashing a bit of oil on them.
- To freeze leftover falafels, you need to store them in a freezer-friendly and airtight container or food-grade ziplock bags for upto 3 months.
Variations to Try
- Spicy Falafel: Add more paprika in the falafel mixture for a spicy version.
- Heab-Heavy Falafel: You can add more herbs besides coriander and parsley, like cilantro, dill, mint, scallions, or green onions.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use almond flour for a gluten-free version.
- Low-Oil Version: You can avoid deep frying with a lot of oil or try baking the falafels to get a low-oil version.
Homemade Falafel Recipe – Crispy Outside, Soft Inside
Ingredients
Falalfel Ingredients:
- 1 cup / 200 g Dried Chickpeas
- ½ cup / 80 g Onion (roughly chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic
- ½ cup / 8 g Coriander (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup / 60 g Parsley (roughly chopped)
- 1 tsp / 6 g Salt
- 1 tsp / 2 g Paprika
- 1 tsp / 2 g Cumin Powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g Coriander Powder
- ¼ tsp / 0.5 g Turmeric Powder
- ¼ tsp / 0.5 g Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml Lemon Juice
- 2 tbsp / 15 g Gram Flour
- ½ tsp / 1 g Corn Starch
Tahini Yogurt Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup / 100 g Greek Yogurt
- 1 tbsp / 15 g Tahini
- 1 tbsp / 15 ml Lemon Juice
- 1 clove / 1 clove of grated Garlic
- ¼ tsp / 1.5 g Salt
- 2 tbsp / 30 ml Water
Instructions
Soak the Chickpeas
- Use fresh, dry chickpeas instead of canned chickpeas.
- Soak the dry chickpeas in water overnight.
- Wash and rinse the chickpeas before blending.
Make the Falafel Mixture
- Add the chickpeas, chopped onion, cloves of garlic, chopped coriander, chopped parsley, salt, paprika, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, black pepper, and lemon juice to a blender.
- Pulse until everything is well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Make sure that the final mixture has the texture of coarse sand.
- Take out the falafel mixture into a bowl and wrap it with plastic wrap.
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill for an hour.
Shape the Falafel
- Take out the falafel mixture from the refrigerator and mix gram flour and corn starch into it.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the falafel mixture and roll into small balls.
Cook
- Depending on your preference, deep fry, air fry, or bake the falafels until they turn crispy and golden brown.
- If you’re deep frying the falafels, make sure you set the heat to medium-high and use a thermometer to check if the temperature is 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius before putting the falafels into the oil and frying.
- For baking and air frying, make sure the temperature is the same as for deep frying.
- Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- Mix Greek yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and a little bit of water to make the tahini sauce.
Serve & Enjoy!
- Serve the falafel with pita bread and veggies, or make falafel wraps or falafel sandwiches.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Recipe FAQs
Can I use canned chickpeas for falafel?
No, you should not use canned chickpeas for making falafel, or they might fall apart.
Is falafel healthy?
Yes, falafel is made with herbs and spices, making it vegan and healthy.
How long should I soak chickpeas for falafel?
Soak the chickpeas for about 24 hours to make sure they are softened properly.
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