Falafel, a traditional Middle Eastern dish, is a delicious, healthy, and versatile food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Made from chickpeas or fava beans, falafel is a mixture of spices, herbs, and vegetables that is formed into balls and fried or baked. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, there are plenty of no-fuss falafel recipes that are easy to follow and will have you enjoying this tasty treat in no time.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
HOW TO MAKE FALAFEL
Ready to learn how to make authentic falafel from scratch? My family's secret recipe for the Best Authentic Falafel, made with chickpeas, fresh herb, and spices is all you need! Be sure to check out the complete step-by-step tutorial, important tips for baking or frying falafel. And watch the video just above. What's your favorite way to enjoy falafel? I love them in warm pita sandwiches with tahini sauce or hummus, along with my lazy Mediterranean tomato and cucumber salad. But you can enjoy it alongside other plates or as part of a mezze spread (lots of ideas below!)
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Entree
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- (One day in advance) Place the dried chickpeas and baking soda in a large bowl filled with water to cover the chickpeas by at least 2 inches. Soak overnight for 18 hours (longer if the chickpeas are still too hard). When ready, drain the chickpeas completely and pat them dry.
- Add the chickpeas, herbs, onions, garlic and spices to the large bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade. Run the food processor 40 seconds at a time until all is well combined forming a the falafel mixture.
- Transfer the falafel mixture to a container and cover tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or (up to one whole night) until ready to cook.
- Just before frying, add the baking powder and sesame seeds to the falafel mixture and stir with a spoon.
- Scoop tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and form into patties (1/2 inch in thickness each). It helps to have wet hands as you form the patties.
- Fill a medium saucepan 3 inches up with oil. Heat the oil on medium-high until it bubbles softly. Carefully drop the falafel patties in the oil, let them fry for about 3 to 5 minutes or so until crispy and medium brown on the outside. Avoid crowding the falafel in the saucepan, fry them in batches if necessary.
- Place the fried falafel patties in a colander or plate lined with paper towels to drain.
- Serve falafel hot next to other small plates; or assemble the falafel patties in pita bread with tahini or hummus, arugula, tomato and cucumbers. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Sugar 0.1 g, Sodium 131.1 mg, Fat 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 1.4 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 3.9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
QUICK AND EASY FALAFEL RECIPE
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
NO-FUSS FALAFEL
Simple, easy, and delicious falafel - no breaking apart or spattering while frying! Try serving with pita, parsley and hummus or tahini sauce! Falafel is best when it is fresh. However, if you have leftovers, heat in a single layer in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Provided by Lola in the Kitchen
Categories Bean and Pea Appetizers
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place garbanzo beans, parsley, onion, flour, garlic, cumin, baking powder, coriander, salt, lemon juice, and black pepper in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined and a chunky, slightly sticky mixture forms.
- Roll mixture into small balls and place on a plate. Flatten into patties that are 2 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick.
- Place patties in refrigerator or freezer to help hold together, about 10 minutes.
- Heat 1 1/2- to 2-inches vegetable oil in large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fry patties, working in batches to avoid crowding, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Drain patties on paper towel-lined plate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 203 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Fat 9.5 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 630.7 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
NO-FUSS FALAFEL
Simple, easy, and delicious falafel - no breaking apart or spattering while frying! Try serving with pita, parsley and hummus or tahini sauce! Falafel is best when it is fresh. However, if you have leftovers, heat in a single layer in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Provided by Lola in the Kitchen
Categories Bean and Pea Appetizers
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place garbanzo beans, parsley, onion, flour, garlic, cumin, baking powder, coriander, salt, lemon juice, and black pepper in a food processor or blender. Pulse until combined and a chunky, slightly sticky mixture forms.
- Roll mixture into small balls and place on a plate. Flatten into patties that are 2 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick.
- Place patties in refrigerator or freezer to help hold together, about 10 minutes.
- Heat 1 1/2- to 2-inches vegetable oil in large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fry patties, working in batches to avoid crowding, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Drain patties on paper towel-lined plate.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 203 calories, Carbohydrate 25.4 g, Fat 9.5 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 630.7 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
Tips:
- Soak the chickpeas overnight: Soaking the chickpeas overnight helps to soften them and make them easier to cook. You can also quick-soak them by boiling them for 1 minute, then removing them from the heat and letting them sit for 1 hour.
- Use a food processor to grind the chickpeas: A food processor is the easiest way to grind the chickpeas into a fine paste. If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender or a mortar and pestle.
- Add plenty of herbs and spices: Herbs and spices are what give falafel its delicious flavor. Be generous with your measurements and don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations.
- Form the falafel into balls before frying: This will help them to hold their shape and prevent them from falling apart in the oil.
- Fry the falafel in hot oil: The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when you drop the falafel in. This will help them to cook evenly and get crispy on the outside.
- Serve the falafel immediately: Falafel is best served hot and fresh out of the fryer. You can serve them with pita bread, hummus, tahini sauce, and a variety of vegetables.
Conclusion:
Falafel is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great source of protein and fiber, and it's also relatively easy to make. With a little planning and preparation, you can make delicious falafel at home. So next time you're looking for a healthy and satisfying meal, give falafel a try!
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