Best 2 Easy Healthy Falafel Recipes

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QUICK AND EASY FALAFEL RECIPE



Quick and Easy Falafel Recipe image

This easy falafel recipe contains very few ingredients, which cuts down on preparation time, ideal for those who want an easier version of falafel.

Provided by Saad Fayed

Categories     Lunch     Side Dish     Entree     Appetizer

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
1 medium onion (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
1 teaspoon coriander
3/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons flour
3 cups canola or vegetable oil (or amount needed for frying)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper (to taste) in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and combine well.
  • Mash chickpeas, making sure ingredients are thoroughly mixed together and mixture binds easily when shaped into a ball. (Alternatively, combine ingredients in a food processor. Pulse, then process, scraping down bowl occasionally with a silicone spatula, until mixture is mostly smooth, about 1 minute.) Add an extra tablespoon of flour if mixture is too sticky. The result should be a thick paste.
  • Form mixture into pingpong-sized balls. Slightly flatten.
  • Add oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high until oil shimmers. Shallow-fry falafel in batches to avoid crowding pan, 2 to 5 minutes per batch, flipping when browned on one side and adding more oil, if needed. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Serve falafel by itself, or with warm pita bread with veggies, or tahini sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 934 kcal, Carbohydrate 37 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 9 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 608 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 85 g, ServingSize 2 Portions (2 Servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

EASY HEALTHY FALAFELS



Easy healthy falafels image

Pair John Torode's easy falafels with soft flatbreads, well-spiced humous and crunchy pickles for a magnificent meze of a lunch, or a shareable starter

Provided by John Torode

Categories     Lunch, Supper

Time 35m

Yield makes 16

Number Of Ingredients 15

250g dried chickpeas or dried split broad beans
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
3 garlic cloves
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 leek, roughly chopped
1 celery stick , roughly chopped
1 small chilli, roughly chopped (deseeded if you don't like it too hot)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp sumac
good handful chopped coriander
good handful chopped parsley
80g gram flour
100ml vegetable oil
houmous, tabbouleh and pickled red onion & radish (see goes well with), flatbreads, shop-bought or see goes well with (optional)

Steps:

  • Soak the chickpeas in cold water for 8 hrs, or overnight.
  • Drain the chickpeas and pulse with the bicarb in a food processor until roughly chopped. Remove 3/4 of the mixture and set aside.
  • Add the garlic, vegetables, spices and herbs to the remaining mixture in the processor and purée to a paste. Stir the paste into the rough purée of chickpeas, add the gram flour, season and mix well.
  • Heat oven to 110C/90C fan/gas 1/4. Heat a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add some of the oil. Use your hands to form the mixture into patties (there should be enough to make about 16). Fry for 2 mins each side until crisp. Keep in a warm oven while you fry the remainder of the mixture, continuing to add a little oil to the pan with each batch. Serve wrapped in flatbreads, if you like, alongside the houmous, tabbouleh and pickled red onion & radish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 139 calories, Fat 7 grams fat, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 11 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 1 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 5 grams protein, Sodium 0.1 milligram of sodium

Tips for Making the Best Falafel:

  • Use dried chickpeas for the best flavor and texture. Soak them overnight before cooking.
  • Add fresh herbs and spices to the falafel mixture for extra flavor. Common additions include parsley, cilantro, cumin, and coriander.
  • Don't overmix the falafel mixture. Overmixing will make the falafel tough.
  • Form the falafel into balls or patties, and then flatten them slightly. This will help them cook evenly.
  • Fry the falafel in hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, or the falafel will not cook evenly.
  • Serve the falafel hot with your favorite toppings. Common toppings include tahini sauce, hummus, and pita bread.

Conclusion:

Falafel is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or snack. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. With its unique flavor and texture, falafel is a popular dish all over the world. It is easy to make at home, and there are many different recipes to choose from. Whether you like your falafel crispy or soft, spicy or mild, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a healthy and flavorful meal, give falafel a try.

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