Falafel

Crispy, golden, and bursting with bold Middle Eastern flavors, this homemade falafel recipe is a true delight for your taste buds. Made from protein-packed dried chickpeas infused with aromatic herbs like parsley and cilantro, and seasoned with warm spices such as cumin and coriander, these falafel balls are a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian option. The secret to their perfect texture lies in soaking the chickpeas overnight and blending just enough to retain a slightly grainy consistency. Deep-fried to perfection, each bite delivers a crunchy exterior while remaining tender and flavorful inside. Serve these falafel as a mouthwatering main or an irresistible snack paired with creamy hummus, tangy tahini sauce, and crisp vegetables, all tucked into freshly baked pita bread. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, this classic recipe is an essential addition to your lineup of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams Dried chickpeas
• 1 medium Onion
• 3 Garlic cloves
• 30 grams Fresh parsley
• 30 grams Cilantro
• 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons Ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon Baking powder
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 500 milliliters Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried chickpeas and soak them in a large bowl with plenty of water for at least 12 hours or overnight. They will double in size as they absorb the water.

Step 2

Drain the soaked chickpeas and transfer them to a food processor. Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro to the processor.

Step 3

Pulse the mixture several times until the chickpeas are finely chopped but not pureed. The texture should remain slightly granular.

Step 4

Add the ground cumin, ground coriander, baking powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and flour to the chickpea mixture. Pulse again until combined.

Step 5

Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 6

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or pot over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 7

Using wet hands or a falafel scoop, shape the chilled chickpea mixture into small balls or patties.

Step 8

Carefully drop a few falafel pieces at a time into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 9

Remove the falafel from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 10

Serve the falafel warm with hummus, tahini sauce, fresh vegetables, or stuffed in pita bread.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	984.6 grams (984.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4890

Total Fat 459.70g	589%
Saturated Fat 64.90g	325%
Polyunsaturated Fat 284.10g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5277mg	229%
Total Carbohydrate 192.90g	70%
Dietary Fiber 49.70g	178%
Total Sugars 35.40g
Protein 54.80g	110%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 452mg	35%
Iron 23mg	129%
Potassium 3060mg	65%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 80.7%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 15.0%