Crispy Falafel

Servings: 4 Total Time: 8 hrs 40 mins
Herby chickpea fritters, fried until golden
Freshly fried falafel in paper wraps (illustrative)

Illustrative stock photos, not this exact recipe. Photo credits are at the bottom of the page.

Ingredients in this recipe

Tap any ingredient to read its history, origin and where it is used.

Falafel are crisp, herb-green fritters made from ground chickpeas. They are eaten in pita with salad and tahini sauce, or as part of a mezze platter.

The secret is to use dried chickpeas that have been soaked, never canned ones, which turn into a paste and fall apart when fried.

Recipe label: Based on traditional technique. Photo: illustrative stock photo, not the finished dish from this exact recipe.

Photo credits: Photo 1: abu adel on Pexels; Photo 2: Smitha Nittur on Pexels; Photo 3: Ali Dashti on Pexels. Free stock photos, used under the Unsplash or Pexels license and shown here as illustrations only.

Prep Time 20 mins Cook Time 20 mins Rest Time 480 mins Total Time 8 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 4

Description

Crispy homemade falafel made from soaked dried chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, cumin and garlic. Serve in pita with tahini sauce.

Ingredients

For the falafel

Instructions

  1. Drain the soaked chickpeas well and pat dry. Do not cook them.
  2. Pulse the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley and cilantro in a food processor until finely chopped and crumbly but not a smooth paste.
  3. Mix in the cumin, coriander, salt and flour. Chill for 30 minutes.
  4. Shape into small balls or patties with damp hands.
  5. Heat about 5 cm of oil to 175 C / 350 F in a heavy pot. Fry in batches for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until deep golden and crisp.
  6. Drain on a rack or paper towels and serve warm with tahini sauce, pickles and pita.

Note

Use a thermometer and keep the oil from smoking. Be careful with hot oil. Raw chickpeas must be soaked, and the falafel must be cooked through. Contains gluten if wheat flour is used; use chickpea flour to make it gluten-free.
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Frequently asked questions

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Why do my falafel fall apart?

The mixture may be too wet or too fine. Dry the chickpeas well and chill the mix before shaping.

Can I bake them?

Yes, brush with oil and bake at 200 C / 400 F for 25 minutes, turning once. They will be less crisp.

Can I use canned chickpeas?

It is not recommended; they are too soft and moist.