Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices, formed into balls or patties and fried to crispy perfection. It’s often served in pita bread with fresh veggies, hummus, and tahini sauce. Naturally vegetarian and packed with flavor, falafel is a delicious street food staple.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups (250g) dried chickpeas (not canned chickpeas)
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (optional: fresh cilantro can be added)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2-3 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional, for binding if needed)
- Vegetable oil, for frying (like canola or sunflower oil)
Instructions
- Soak chickpeas overnight (12-24 hours), then drain.
- Blend chickpeas, onion, garlic, herbs, and spices in a food processor to form a coarse paste.
- Add baking powder and flour, then shape the mixture into small balls or patties.
- Chill the falafel for 30 minutes (optional).
- Fry in hot oil (350°F) until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Serve hot with pita, veggies, hummus, or tahini sauce.
Additional tips
- If the falafel falls apart during frying, add more flour. You can also test fry one first to check texture.
- Freeze uncooked falafel for easy meals later and fry straight from frozen when needed.
- Use soaked dried chickpeas (not canned).
- chill the mixture before frying to help it hold together, and maintain the oil at 350°F for crispy results.
