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Falafel

[heart_this] · Jan 26, 2012 · 37 Comments

Falafel

Golden brown balls of chickpeas that are light and crispy on the outside and warm, moist and tender on the inside.

Falafel, or fried chickepea patties, have been on my todo list for a while! Making the quioa tabouleh salad reminded of a photo that I had seen a long time ago where perfectly golden brown falafel were served on a bed of tabbouleh and I figured that it was the perfect time to try making falafel! As it turns out, making light, crispy and perfectly golden brown falafel at home is quite easy, though if you are starting with dried chickpeas you do need to let them soak over night so it takes some planning.

Falafel
The recipe is pretty simple with a base of the chickpeas along with some onions, garlic, a whole bunch of fresh herbs and some seasonings. Once you have the ‘batter’ mixed up you form it into balls or patties and fry them until golden brown. It is pretty hard to not eat them all while you are waiting for the next batch to cook but it is good to show some restraint in this case because their are plenty of great ways of serving them! Of course I started out by serving some of them on a bed of the quioa tabouleh salad which made for a really nice light meal.

Falafel
Next up was a pita sandwich.

Falafel Pita Sandwich
There is no need to wait for a sandwich though if you just want to go straight to dipping the falafel right into the thic and creamy tahini and yogurt sauce.

Tahini Yogurt Sauce

Falafel

Falafel

Prep Time: 16 hours 10 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 16 hours 30 minutes Servings: 4

Golden brown balls of chickpeas that are light and crispy on the outside and warm, moist and tender on the inside.

ingredients
  • 1 cup dried chickpeas/garbanzo beans, soaked in cold water overnight
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
  • 1 lemon, zest
  • 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • cayenne to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste
directions
  1. Pulse the drained chickpeas, onion, garlic, cilantro, parsley, coriander, cumin and lemon zest until it forms a coarse meal.
  2. Sprinkle in the flour and baking soda and pulse a few times to combine, then test the mixture to make sure that it holds together adding more flour until it does.
  3. Refrigerate the mixture in a covered container for a few hours.
  4. Form the mixture into balls or patties.
  5. Heat oil in pan to 350F/180C, fry the balls in small batches until golden brown, about 4-6 minutes and set aside on paper towels to drain.
Falafel Pita Sandwich

Falafel Pita Sandwich

Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 4

A pita filled with crispy warm falafel, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, feta and a tasty tahini yogurt sauce.

ingredients
  • 4 pitas
  • 1/2 cup tahini yogurt sauce
  • 1 cup tomato, diced
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup lettuce, shredded
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup feta, crumbled (optional)
  • 1 batch falafel, warm
directions
  1. Assemble sandwich and enjoy!
Tahini Yogurt Sauce

Tahini Yogurt Sauce

Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Servings: 1

A fresh and tangy tahini and yogurt sauce that is just a little bit too addictive.

ingredients
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1 small clove garlic, grated
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
  • cayenne to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste
directions
  1. Mix everything.
Use in:
Quinoa Flatbread with Tabbouleh, Falafel, Feta and Pomegranate

Similar Recipes:
Kolokythokeftedes (Zucchini and Feta Balls)
Greek Style Zucchini Fritters
Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Fritters
Chicken Gyro

Appetizer, Food, Main Course, Mediterranean, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vojta Dusek says

    January 26, 2012 at 12:26 am

    Wow, I saw this like 15 minutes after telling my girlfriend: "Hey, we've got some chickpeas left!"

    Thanks so much, your site has been a great inspiration to me. Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  2. anniebakes says

    January 26, 2012 at 12:28 am

    i just saw this being made today on the food network and had never heard of it, now i'm intrigued and need to try it! anne

    Reply
  3. Girlie Blogger says

    January 26, 2012 at 12:49 am

    Wow. These look so professional. My husband is part middle eastern. He loves falafels and would love these.
    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

    Reply
  4. Kalyn says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:26 am

    I love falafel and these look great!

    Reply
  5. Stark Radio says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:16 am

    Hi Kevin,

    I love coming by to see what you've been cooking. I will have to try making those, I really love them with tzatziki which is basically greek yoghurt and grated, drained cucumber…. mmmmm. Looks good, it's going in my to do list!

    Reply
  6. honeydijonay says

    January 26, 2012 at 6:25 am

    Every time I check in with your blog I am entranced with the food! I litteraly just bought quinoa and had no idea what to do with it. I've always wanted to make my own falafel and now you've combined the best of both worlds…in other words: get outta my head! No wait – STAY IN MY HEAD!!! LOL

    Reply
  7. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    January 26, 2012 at 6:33 am

    Really mouthwatering! That is such a great snack.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  8. Vera Ferraz says

    January 26, 2012 at 8:39 am

    Humm, delicious!
    Have a nice day!

    Reply
  9. Kevin says

    January 26, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Stark Radio: Tzatziki is another great thing to serve falafel with!

    Reply
  10. Joanne says

    January 26, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Falafel are one of maybe TWO deep fried items that I'll eat..because they're so delicious! And really, they're made of chickpeas…SO not bad for you. Loving this!

    Reply
  11. bellini says

    January 26, 2012 at 11:36 am

    Falafel is definitely one of my favourite foods of all time.

    Reply
  12. Zee says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    I know these are delicious since |I am a big falafel fan! and they look lovely too

    Reply
  13. KK says

    January 26, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    This looks great, I especially like the herbs that u used…

    Reply
  14. MyInnerCheerleader says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Just the kind of recipe I've been looking for. Thanks!

    Reply
  15. rancholyn says

    January 26, 2012 at 3:47 pm

    FALAFEL is my all time favorite…2 questions..1) have you tried making these with canned chickpeas? 2) Did you deep fry these?
    I made your Thai pineapple rice a few days ago…was delicious and a major hit with all my guests…thanks so much!

    Reply
  16. alapatacoja says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    I want it,
    the falafel I love.

    Reply
  17. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    I have also had these on my to-do list for a while! I love falafel in a wrap with hummus 🙂

    Reply
  18. JLL24 says

    January 26, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    I make Falafels regularly. My family loves them. I love them as the are quick to make, healthy, and chickpeas are a good way to help keep your sweet tooth in check.

    Reply
  19. manga mboa says

    January 26, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Just discovered your blog and i am really impress by your skills; As a new member i will definitively follow you to learn to make good and elaborated receipe; you are my new inspiration; Keep up a good work;

    http://www.lambassaa.blogspot.com

    Reply
  20. Sweet Posy Dreams says

    January 26, 2012 at 10:23 pm

    Great looking blog with fantastic pictures!

    Reply
  21. Catherine says

    January 27, 2012 at 1:51 am

    I love falafels, plus the falafel sauce is delicious. I had the same sauce in Jordan and they put chopped tomato in as well.
    Love the site!

    Reply
  22. The Pontificator says

    January 27, 2012 at 3:45 am

    what kind of frying oil did you use and how much?

    Reply
  23. Kevin says

    January 27, 2012 at 10:30 am

    The Pontificator: Any oil will do such as olive oil, corn oil or vegetable oil. I fill a sauce pan to a depth of about two inches.

    Reply
  24. Jenny @ Savour the Senses says

    January 27, 2012 at 10:55 am

    Love all these falafel recipes! The taboulleh one looks so gorgeous!

    Reply
  25. skinformulae says

    January 27, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    I've tried this before. If im not wrong it is similar to an indian or malay cuisiines. Love it!

    skinforumulae.blogspot.com

    Reply
  26. Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker says

    January 27, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    I've always wanted to make Falafel; these looks so good!

    Reply
  27. Marcie says

    January 28, 2012 at 12:22 am

    Hi. I was searching for ice cream recipes as I have just bought an ice cream maker and found your blog. It is so lovely! The pictures just beg me to try the recipes. Thanks so much for creating it.
    Marcie from http://www.noclothesnoshoes.blogspot.com

    Reply
  28. Rachel says

    January 30, 2012 at 1:18 am

    These were totally delicious! I substituted dried herbs- basil and parsley- for fresh (college budget) but otherwise kept it pretty much the same. Totally delish! Thanks for making it possible to eat one of my vegetarian favorites without forfeiting tuition $ for my town's fancy middle-eastern restaurant! <3

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    February 1, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    Does your mixture holds together well when you formed them into balls or patties? I made falafels once and the mixture did not hold together well and broke apart during frying.

    Reply
  30. Unknown says

    February 1, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    I had a really tough time with this recipe. For whatever reason, my Falafel completely disintegrated into the oil leaving miniscule patties. Flavors were great, I just wish it would have held together.

    Reply
  31. Kevin says

    February 2, 2012 at 10:48 am

    Unknown & Anonymous: The flour is what is going to hold the patties together and you can keep adding flour a bit at a time until they do hold together. Just grab a handful of the mixture and try to form a patty, if it does not hold try mixing in a bit more flour until it does hold.

    Reply
  32. Unknown says

    February 2, 2012 at 1:34 pm

    I added the recommended amount of flour and the patties did stick together…unfortunately once they hit the oil…disintegration.

    Reply
  33. Kevin says

    February 3, 2012 at 11:03 am

    Unknown: The amount of flour required is going to depend on the wetness of the other ingredients so you have to adjust a bit as you go.

    Reply
  34. Anonymous says

    February 29, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    Absolutely agree about varying amount of flour to keep balls intact, but make sure to squeeze them together in your palms gently to help them hold together. I also use a small ice cream scoop for portion control and speed forming balls.
    I use up the frying oil doing every day things like stir frying and cooking eggs in the morning. You don't need to save oil just for deep frying. Thanks for sharing a great recipe!

    Reply
  35. Anonymous says

    April 18, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    Hi Kevin,
    Love the food you're making and the beautiful pictures. My question is, Have you ever tried to bake the falafel? I love them but am trying to avoid fried foods.
    Thanks!

    Reply
  36. Kevin says

    April 19, 2012 at 9:40 am

    Anonymous: I have not tried baked falafel yet but it is on my todo list as a lighter option. Maybe in the next few weeks as I want to try a fava bean version when they come in season.

    Reply
  37. Talia says

    December 24, 2014 at 8:09 am

    I've tried many falafel recipes, but today I found yours on pinterest. I made it for lunch, and by golly, it works!! It seriously tastes so much like the falafel we eat when we're in Israel, and held together really nicely!! I actually found that keeping the balls cool in the fridge helped them to stay together even better. 🙂
    Thanks for sharing this!!

    Reply

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Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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