This Homemade Falafel Recipe is a plant-based recipe made with dried chickpeas, herbs, and spices, and then fried to crisp perfection in a hot skillet. Dried chickpeas are reconstituted and ground up in a food processor with cilantro, parsley, and spices. The chickpeas are not cooked, but when ground they cook up perfectly with a light crispy outside layer to the falafel.
This easy Homemade Falafel is a Mediterranean style recipe that is great as an appetizer or as part of a main dish, on salads or in sandwiches with a drizzle of tahini dressing!
How I Learned To Make Falafel
Years ago, when I worked at a university, one of the professors in my department attended the department holiday party with his wife. She brought homemade falafel. It was my first bite of deliciousness and it would not be my last!
This family was from Jordan and I felt that this falafel was authentic as I was going to get with my own private lesson of falafel making!
I asked her how she made the recipe and I was invited to her home to be taught how to do so! She gave me some tips along the way that I will share with you to help you make the best homemade falafel recipe ever!
What You Need To Make Homemade Falafel Recipe
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Dried Chickpeas: there is no substitute here. You can find dried chickpeas in the dried bean section of the grocery or you can buy my favorite brand here.
Fresh cilantro and parsley
Lemon juice
Garlic cloves
Ground cumin
Baking soda
Ground red pepper
Food Processor (12 cup capacity)
Oil for frying
Tips and Recommendations
- Be sure to use dried chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans). Canned chickpeas should not be substituted. They are already cooked and would make the falafel gummy.
- Don't hesitate to soak the chickpeas in the baking soda water. This will help them soften.
- When the chickpeas have soaked overnight, they should have increased in volume by soaking up the water in the bowl.
- If you don't have a falafel scoop, use two large tablespoons and shape the falafel between the spoons (see video). This is a tip from the professor's spouse that I have followed many times!
- Substitute 1 tablespoon of this falafel spice for the ground cumin.
Other Recipes Made With Chickpeas
Garlic Scrambled Eggs with Chickpeas
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Homemade Falafel Recipe with Dried Chickpeas
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Ingredients
- 2 cups dried chickpeas
- ½ cup onion finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh cilantro packed
- 1 cup flat leaf parsley packed
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper ground
- 4 cups oil for frying
Instructions
- Add the dried chickpeas to a large mixing bowl and cover completely with water and baking soda. Allow to soak up to 6 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and add to a food processor.
- Pulse until the chickpeas have broken down into small pieces. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Process until well combined.
- Add the parsley and cilantro. Pulse until all ingredients have incorporated, scraping the sides down periodically.
- Heat a large skillet with enough olive oil to be about 2" deep over medium high heat. Portion out the falafel using a falafel scoop or two spoons.
- Fry falafel on each side 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
Video
Notes
Tips and Recommendations
- Be sure to use dried chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans). Canned chickpeas should not be substituted. They are already cooked and would make the falafel gummy.
- Don't hesitate to soak the chickpeas in the baking soda water. This will help them soften.
- When the chickpeas have soaked overnight, they should have increased in volume by soaking up the water in the bowl.
- If you don't have a falafel scoop, use two large tablespoons and shape the falafel between the spoons (see video). This is a tip from the professor's spouse that I have followed many times!
- Substitute 1 tablespoon of this falafel spice for the ground cumin.
[…] This Tahini Dressing Recipe is a rich creamy sauce made with sesame paste (aka tahini), lemon juice, a little bit of hot water, and garlic. It is a delicious dressing recipe sauce that is perfect for topping salads, dipping veggies, and to drizzle over some homemade falafel. […]