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Easy Falafel Recipe

51kcal
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Prep 40 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Additional Time 8 hours
Total 8 hours 50 minutes
This simple recipe shows you how to make homemade falafel from scratch - you'll never want to buy premade falafel again!
Servings 12 falafels
Course Lunches
Cuisine Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 cup roughly chopped parsley about a one large bunch
  • 1 cup roughly chopped cilantro about a one large bunch
  • ½ cup roughly chopped dill a small bunch
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons plain all-flour or other flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Oil for frying

Method

  1. Soak your chickpeas in water overnight (at least 8 - 12 hours), then drain and rinse them. (Do not use canned chickpeas for falafel, or they’ll turn to mush!)
    1 cup dried chickpeas
  2. Add the chickpeas, onion, herbs, garlic, and seasonings to a blender or food processor and blitz until the mixture has a coarse, grainy texture - don’t blend it until completely smooth.
    1 medium onion, 1 cup roughly chopped parsley, 1 cup roughly chopped cilantro, ½ cup roughly chopped dill, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
  3. Add the flour and baking powder, mix everything and then chill your falafel mixture for 30 - 60 minutes. (This makes it much easier to create firm falafel balls which hold their shape when fried).
    2 tablespoons plain all-flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda
  4. Use your hands or an ice cream scoop to form the falafel balls (this recipe should make about 9 - 12 falafel balls, depending on the size). If the mixture is too wet, add a little more flour, and if it’s too dry, add a squeeze of lemon juice or wet your hands before forming the balls.
  5. Arrange the balls on a cookie sheet or chopping board, and then heat your oil in a deep pan.
    Oil for frying
  6. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C) and then cook your falafel in batches of about 5 to 8 balls at a time for 1 to 2 minutes or until golden and turning crispy on the outside.

    You could also air fry your falafel balls for 15 minutes if you prefer (be aware this can dry them out more and result in less crispy falafel).

Nutrition

Serving1gCalories51kcalCarbohydrates8gProtein2gFat2gPolyunsaturated Fat1gSodium380mgFiber2gSugar2g

Notes

Make sure your oil is hot enough before frying your falafel - use a thermometer to check the temperature!
You can also freeze your falafels before or after frying - simply freeze them flat on a baking tray, and then pop them into a freezer bag to have on hand whenever you want them. To reheat, cook from frozen in the oven for 20 minutes.

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