Delicious Homemade Falafel Recipe

Do you want to learn how to make delicious homemade falafel that bursts with authentic flavor? Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed with a variety of herbs and spices, then deep-fried to golden perfection. This delightful treat is not only incredibly tasty but also packed with protein and fiber, making it a nutritious option for vegetarians and vegans alike.

Ingredients for Homemade Falafel

Before diving into the steps, let’s gather all the ingredients you’ll need to create these amazing falafels at home. The beauty of making falafel lies in its simplicity and the natural ingredients that come together to create a harmonious blend of flavors.

Basic Ingredients

Here’s a table listing the basic ingredients required:

Ingredient	Quantity
Dried Chickpeas	1 cup
Onion (finely chopped)	1 small
Garlic (minced)	3 cloves
Fresh Parsley	1/4 cup
Fresh Cilantro	1/4 cup
Ground Cumin	1 teaspoon
Ground Coriander	1 teaspoon
Salt	1 teaspoon
Baking Powder	1 teaspoon
Flour	4 tablespoons
Vegetable Oil (for frying)	as needed

Optional Add-ins

Depending on your taste preferences, you might want to add some extra ingredients to elevate the flavor:

Optional Ingredient	Quantity
Fresh Dill	2 tablespoons
Ground Black Pepper	1/2 teaspoon
Cayenne Pepper	1/4 teaspoon
Lemon Zest	1 teaspoon
Sesame Seeds	2 tablespoons

These optional ingredients can add a unique flair to your falafel, making them even more delicious and customizable according to your taste.

Preparing the Chickpeas

The foundation of any great falafel lies in the preparation of the chickpeas. Here’s how to ensure they’re ready to be turned into delightful falafel patties.

Soaking the Chickpeas

First and foremost, you should use dried chickpeas rather than canned ones. Soak your dried chickpeas overnight in plenty of water. This soaking is crucial because:

1. It rehydrates the chickpeas, making them easier to mix.
2. It helps in achieving the perfect texture for your falafel.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

1. Place 1 cup of dried chickpeas in a large bowl.
2. Cover the chickpeas with at least twice their volume of cold water.
3. Leave them to soak overnight or for at least 12 hours.
4. Drain the water and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly the next day.

Blending the Chickpeas

Once the chickpeas are soaked, it’s time to blend them. This step is all about getting the right consistency. Too smooth, and the falafel will turn mushy. Too coarse, and they’ll fall apart during frying. Follow these steps:

1. Prep the Blender or Food Processor: Add the soaked and drained chickpeas into the food processor.
2. Add Aromatics and Spices: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, and cilantro. Then add the ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and any of the optional spices you prefer.
3. Pulse Until Coarse: Blend the mixture in short pulses, stopping to scrape down the sides occasionally. Aim for a coarse, grainy texture. Avoid blending it into a smooth paste.

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Mixing the Falafel Dough

Now that you have your chickpea blend ready, it’s time to turn it into the dough. This step includes adding binding agents and ensuring the mixture is firm enough to shape into patties or balls.

Incorporating Binding Agents

Binding agents like flour and baking powder are essential for keeping the falafel intact during frying. Here’s how to mix them in:

1. Add Baking Powder: Add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to the chickpea mixture. This helps in making the falafel lighter and ensures they puff up during frying.
2. Incorporate Flour: Gradually add 4 tablespoons of flour to the mixture. Mix well. The final dough should be moist but still hold together. If it is too wet, add a bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time.

Adjusting for Consistency

The consistency of the dough is key. Follow these tips to get it just right:

• If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
• If it’s too wet, add a bit more flour as previously mentioned.

Shaping and Preparing Falafel

Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape it into small patties or balls. This is a fun part of the process and allows you to get creative with sizes and shapes.

Shaping the Falafel

Here’s a straightforward method to shape your falafel:

1. Scoop the Dough: Use a tablespoon or a small ice cream scoop to portion out the dough. This ensures uniform sizes, which cooks evenly.
2. Shape the Falafel: Wet your hands to prevent the dough from sticking. Roll the portions into balls, then gently flatten them into small patties. Aim for a size that’s about 2 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick.

Chilling the Falafel (Optional)

For better results, you can refrigerate the shaped falafel for about 30 minutes. This helps them firm up and makes them less likely to crumble during frying. Simply place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover, and chill.

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Cooking Methods for Falafel

Now, let’s cook the falafel. You have a few options here: deep frying, pan frying, or baking. Each method yields slightly different results in terms of texture and flavor, so choose based on your preferences.

Deep Frying

This is the traditional method and usually yields the best texture.

1. Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep frying pan or pot to cover the falafel halfway. Heat the oil to about 350°F (175°C).
2. Fry the Falafel: Carefully place a few falafel into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
3. Drain and Cool: Remove the falafel with a slotted spoon and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Pan Frying

If you prefer to use less oil, pan frying is a good alternative.

1. Heat the Oil: Add enough oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet. Heat over medium-high heat.
2. Cook the Falafel: Place the falafel patties in the skillet, leaving space between each one. Flatten them slightly with a spatula. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side until crisp and golden brown.
3. Drain and Serve: Remove from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Baking

For a healthier, oil-free option, you can bake the falafel.

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
3. Bake the Falafel: Place the falafel patties on the baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Spray or lightly brush them with oil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Falafel is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are some serving suggestions to enhance your falafel experience.

Classic Falafel Wrap

A falafel wrap is a classic. You’ll need pita bread, fresh vegetables, and a tasty sauce.

1. Ingredients:
   • Pita Bread
   • Lettuce
   • Tomato Slices
   • Cucumber Slices
   • Red Onion Slices
   • Tzatziki or Tahini Sauce
2. Assembly:
   1. Warm the pita bread.
   2. Spread a layer of tzatziki or tahini sauce inside the pita.
   3. Add a few falafel patties.
   4. Top with lettuce, tomato slices, cucumber slices, and red onion slices.
   5. Drizzle more sauce on top and fold the pita to enclose the fillings.

Falafel Salad

Falafel salads are light and refreshing, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.

1. Ingredients:
   • Mixed Greens
   • Cherry Tomatoes
   • Cucumber Slices
   • Red Onion
   • Feta Cheese (optional)
   • Falafel Patties
   • Lemon Vinaigrette
2. Assembly:
   1. In a large bowl, mix the greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and red onion.
   2. Top with falafel patties.
   3. Crumble feta cheese over the salad if desired.
   4. Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette or your favorite dressing.

Falafel Platter

A falafel platter is great for sharing and can be a centerpiece at gatherings.

1. Ingredients:
   • Basmati Rice or Couscous
   • Hummus
   • Baba Ganoush
   • Pickled Vegetables
   • Pickles
   • Falafel Patties
2. Assembly:
   1. Arrange a generous serving of rice or couscous on the platter.
   2. Place the falafel patties on the side.
   3. Add dollops of hummus and baba ganoush.
   4. Serve with pickled vegetables and pickles.

Common Sauces for Falafel

No falafel meal is complete without a delicious sauce. Here are a few common choices:

Tahini Sauce

Tahini sauce is often the go-to sauce for falafel.

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup Tahini
  • 1/4 cup Lemon Juice
  • 1 Garlic Clove (minced)
  • Salt to taste
  • Water to thin
• Preparation:
  1. Whisk the tahini and lemon juice until thick and creamy.
  2. Add the minced garlic and salt.
  3. Gradually whisk in water until you reach the desired consistency.

Tzatziki Sauce

This yogurt-based sauce is light and refreshing.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1/2 Cucumber (grated and excess water squeezed out)
  • 1 Garlic Clove (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill or Mint (chopped)
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
• Preparation:
  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Mix well and adjust seasoning to taste.

Chili Sauce

If you like a bit of heat, chili sauce is a great condiment for falafel.

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha or hot sauce of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • Salt to taste
• Preparation:
  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy.

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Storage and Reheating

You might end up with more falafel than you can eat in one sitting, and that’s perfectly fine because falafel stores and reheats very well.

Storing Falafel

To store your falafel, follow these steps:

1. Refrigerate: Place any leftover falafel in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
2. Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the falafel. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Falafel

To reheat your falafel, you have a few options:

1. Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the falafel on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
2. Microwave: This method is quicker but may not keep the falafel as crispy. Microwave on high for about 1-2 minutes.
3. Skillet: Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the falafel and heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Conclusion

Creating delicious homemade falafel is a rewarding culinary experience that brings the authentic flavors of the Middle East right into your kitchen. From soaking the chickpeas to blending the perfect mix of herbs and spices, and finally cooking them to crispy perfection, every step contributes to the final delightful bite.

With this comprehensive guide, you now have all the tools you need to make falafel that not only tastes fantastic but is also versatile enough to be served in various ways. Whether you prefer them in a wrap, a salad, or as part of a larger spread, homemade falafel is sure to impress.

Happy cooking, and enjoy your delicious falafel creations!