Falafel is a classic Middle Eastern dish that has become a beloved comfort food around the world. These golden, crispy fritters are made from chickpeas or fava beans, blended with aromatic herbs and spices, and fried to perfection. Whether served in pita bread, on top of a salad, or as part of a mezze platter, falafel is a flavorful, healthy, and satisfying option for any meal.
The magic of falafel lies in its ingredients. Chickpeas (or sometimes a mix of chickpeas and fava beans) are the base, providing a hearty, nutty flavor. The beans are blended with fresh parsley, cilantro, garlic, onions, cumin, coriander, and a touch of cayenne pepper. This combination of spices and herbs gives the falafel its vibrant, aromatic taste. A pinch of baking soda helps to give the falafel its light, airy texture, making each bite crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Making falafel from scratch is surprisingly easy, but it’s important to allow the mixture to rest in the fridge for at least an hour before shaping and frying. This helps the mixture hold together during frying. Once shaped into small balls or patties, the falafel is fried until it reaches a beautiful golden brown color and a crispy texture.
Falafel is naturally vegan and packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it a perfect addition to any plant-based diet. It’s also a great option for meal prep, as it stores well in the fridge for several days.
You can enjoy falafel in many ways: stuff it in a pita with fresh veggies and tahini sauce, add it to a salad for a protein-packed boost, or serve it with hummus and pickled vegetables for a complete mezze spread.
Whether you’re a falafel aficionado or trying it for the first time, this crispy, flavorful dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chickpeas cooked
- onion small, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped, fresh
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped, fresh
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pulse until well combined but not pureed.
- Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and lemon juice. Mix well.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Scoop tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and shape into small patties.
- Fry the falafel patties in the hot oil until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove the falafel from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or in a pita pocket with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce.
Used black beans instead of chickpeas since I had some left. Turned out pretty good! Might try again with chickpeas next time.
Can I use canned chickpeas instead? I’m kinda lazy.
But like, aren’t dried chickpeas better? They have more flavor… Just sayin’.
Absolutely! Canned chickpeas work just fine. Just rinse and drain them well before using!
Yummy 😋
Very hard to make, my wife got upset with me for making such a mess.
This is the best falafel recipe EVER! I added some chili flakes and it was so good!
Falafel? More like failafel… 😒 I think I messed something up. They fell apart while frying. Yikes!
Can I use canned chickpeas? I don’t have time to cook them!
First time frying anything and it worked! I’m very proud of my falafel.
Too much cumin for my taste. I think next time I will reduce it. But still ok.
Really? I don’t know… my falafel fell apart in the oil, maybe I did something wrong?
These falafels were absolutely delicious! I’ve tried a lot of recipes, but this one is definitly a keeper. The spices were just right!
I’m glad you loved them! I always add a touch more cayenne for extra kick. Definitely a keeper here too!
I tried this recipe and it didn’t work for me. My falafels fell apart and weren’t crispy at all! What did I do wrong?
I love falafel, but this one is too much work. Ain’t nobody got time for that! Just buy it.
I don’t know why people rave about falafel. This was too dry for my taste and lacked flavor. I’m sticking to my store-bought ones.
But they keep saying they’re healthy! I thought they were supposed to be tasty? Maybe I just had bad falafel once.
I totally get you! Falafels can be hit or miss. I’d recommend adding more spices next time or maybe trying a different recipe. Store-bought can be convenient!
Wow! Easy peasy! I made these with my kids, and we had a blast. Just a lil messy, but tastes so good! Thank you!
Delicious! I served it with tzatziki and my friends couldn’t get enough!
I think falafel is from Italy? Idk, but my grandma makes it differently.
Not bad! But I thought it would be less spicy. Might tone down the cayenne next time.
These turned out amazing! Super crispy and perfect flavor.
I didn’t have cayenne pepper, so I used paprika. Not as spicy but still good.
Nah, cayenne is the real deal. Paprika’s just not the same. Still, glad you liked it.
Paprika is a great substitute! I bet it gave a nice flavor without the heat.
Wow, this is so yummy!!!
Sounds good, but I just can’t fry. Is there a way to bake these?
You can totally bake them! Just shape the patties and place them on a baking sheet, then spray with a little oil and bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway. They’ll be a bit different, but still yummy!
Ain’t nothing like homemade falafel! Made them for my family, and they loved it. Definitely a keeper!
I followed the recipe but they fell apart while frying. What did I do wrong?
Maybe you didn’t add enough flour? I think it helps hold them together. Just a thought!