Falafel is a vegan, gluten-free Mediterranean food served as an appetizer, side, or with wraps and sandwiches. They are made with chickpeas and fava beans, however this homemade falafel recipe is made only with chickpeas. They are easy to make for parties, potlucks or can be frozen ahead of time.
Ingredients
Falafels are made with dried chickpeas which are soaked for 8-10 hours, herbs, and spices. Canned chickpeas dont work well as they are cooked.
Fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro give the flavor as well as green color to the falafels. Remove as much of the stems from the bunch as possible and rinse them well to get rid of any debris.
I have used the Shawarma Mediterranean spice mix for an authentic taste. Some sesame seeds are added and baking powder helps with frying.
Instructions
It is really very easy to make falafels at home from scratch. Rinse the dry chickpeas well and soak them in cold water for atleast 8-10 hours or overnight. Once they are ready, drain the water.
Put the chopped onions, chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, Mediterranean seasoning, and salt in a blender like Vitamix and blend them on medium high speed. Do not use any water while blending. If needed, you can add 1-2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil while blending.
Blend it until well blended with a coarse texture, transfer it to a large bowl, mix in some sesame seeds and a pinch of baking soda. Add more spices or salt as needed to adjust the flavor.
Now divide into about 15 equal parts and roll them in between your palms to make patties or balls of about an inch and a half diameter. If the mixture does not bind well, add a little chickpea flour. Falafel balls can be cooked by deep frying, baking in the oven, or air frying.
For deep frying falafels, heat oil in a pan on medium high flame. Once the oil is hot, fry the falafels in batches until they are golden brown on both the sides.
To air fry falafels, preheat the air fryer to 390 °F. Place the falafel patties in the air fryer on parchment paper. Spray some oil using an oil sprayer or apply a coating of oil using a basting brush. This prevents falafel from turning dry.
Air fry the falafels for about 12-14 minutes. Flip them after about 6 minutes using kitchen tongs and apply oil on the other side as well. Continue air frying them for the remaining time. Air fryer falafels are ready when they are slightly crispy and golden brown in color.
Serving suggestions
Falafel are served as a side dish with hummus, tzatziki sauce, baba ganoush, and tahini sauce. They can also be used to make falafel wraps in pita bread, or falafel sandwiches with cucumbers, tomatoes, and hummus.
Storage
Falafel can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days and then reheat them in the microwave when you want to eat.
Homemade falafel can be frozen and made ahead of time. Store them in a freezer-safe container by lining parchment paper between them.
When you want to use them, you can defrost and reheat the frozen falafel the microwave or air fry the frozen falafel directly.
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📖 Recipe
Easy Falafel Recipe (Deep fry and Air fryer)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Chickpeas (dry) (soak for 8 hours)
- ½ cup Onion (chopped)
- 1 cup Parsley (fresh, packed, stems removed and rinsed)
- ¾ cup Cilantro (fresh, packed, stems removed and rinsed)
- 1 ½ teaspoon Salt (to taste)
- ½ tablespoon Mediterranean seasoning (Shawarma or other, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Sesame seeds
- ⅛ teaspoon Baking powder
- Oil (for frying, about 1 inch depth)
Instructions
- Rinse the dried chickpeas and soak it in enough water for about 8 hours.1 cup Chickpeas (dry)
- Discard the water from the soaked chickpeas.
- In a high speed blender, Vitamix, or food processor, add the soaked chickpeas, onions, salt, parsley, cilantro, and seasoning.½ cup Onion, 1 cup Parsley, ¾ cup Cilantro, 1 ½ teaspoon Salt, ½ tablespoon Mediterranean seasoning
- Blend coarsely into a well blended mixture on medium speed.
- Transfer the falafel mixture into a bowl.
- Add baking powder and sesame seeds.1 teaspoon Sesame seeds, ⅛ teaspoon Baking powder
- Mix well with a spatula.
Make falafel rounds
- Divide the falafel mixture into 15 equal portions.
- Make small balls of each portion and flatten them slightly.
Option 1: Deep frying
- Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat.Oil
- Deep fry the falafel patties in oil for about a minute or until golden brown.
- With the help of a slotted spatula, flip them and deep fry the other side for about a minute or until golden brown.
- Remove them carefully and place them on a plate lined with kitchen towel which will absorb any excessive oil.
Option 2: Air fryer
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F.
- Place a parchment paper in the air fryer basket and then place the falafel patties.
- Spray some oil on the patties with an oil sprayer.
- Air fry the falafels for about 6-8 minutes.
- Carefully flip them and place them on parchment paper.
- Spray some oil and air fry for another 5-6 minutes.
- Once falafel are slightly golden brown on both sides, remove them from the air fryer.
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