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    Home » Plant Based Recipes

    Homemade Falafel

    Published: Jan 24, 2021 · Modified: Jan 18, 2023 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A delicious vegetarian recipe made with dried chickpeas, herbs, and spices and fried into patty shape to enjoy on salads or sandwiches.
    Overhead view of a bowl of cooked homemade falafel.

    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!

    Overhead view of a bowl of cooked homemade falafel.

    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

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links.

    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)

    Large mixing bowl

    Falafel Scoop

    Oil for frying

    dried soaked chickpeas in a food processor bowl.

    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.
    parsley and

    Other Recipes Made With Chickpeas

    Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

    Oven Roasted Chickpeas

    Chickpea Quinoa Pilaf

    Garlic Scrambled Eggs with Chickpeas

    Chickpea and Spinach Curry

    Chickpea and Corn Patties

    Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

    *If you made this Homemade Falafel Recipe, please give it a star rating*

    Overhead view of a bowl of cooked homemade falafel.

    Homemade Falafel Recipe with Dried Chickpeas

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    A delicious vegetarian recipe made with dried chickpeas, herbs, and spices and fried into patty shape to enjoy on salads or sandwiches.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Soaking Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 6
    Calories 265 kcal

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    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.
      dried soaked chickpeas in 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.
      fully incorporated falafel mixture in food processor bowl.
    • 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.
      falafel frying in the skillet.

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 14gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 505mgPotassium: 721mgFiber: 13gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1089IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 108mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword chickpea falafel recipe, easy homemade falafel, Homemade Falafel Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Honeybunch Hunts is a website dedicated to sharing canning and dehydrating recipes, wild game recipes, fish, seafood, plant based recipes, and some DIY scattered in between. Written by Shelby Law Ruttan, is also author and owner of Grumpy’s Honeybunch, and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. Shelby has also authored two cookbooks, The One Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook.

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. Tahini Dressing Recipe | Mediterranean Sauce - Grumpy's Honeybunch says:
      January 24, 2021 at 5:00 am

      […] 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.  […]

      Reply

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