How to Make Delicious Falafel at Home

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from chickpeas or fava beans and spices. It’s a delicious and healthy vegetarian option that can be enjoyed as a snack or a main meal. Making homemade falafel can be easier than one might think, and it allows for customization to personal taste preferences. Follow these simple steps for a mouth-watering falafel experience.

The key to making great falafel is to start with cooked chickpeas or fava beans. One can use canned chickpeas or fava beans, or cook them from scratch. Soaking the legumes overnight before cooking will help them soften, and will result in a smoother texture for the falafel. Once the beans are cooked, they can be mashed with a fork or a food processor to a chunky consistency. A combination of spices, such as cumin, coriander, and paprika, can be added to the mix to enhance the flavor. Chopped fresh herbs, like parsley or cilantro, also add a refreshing taste and aroma. A little flour or chickpea flour can be added to help bind the mixture together. The falafel can then be formed into balls or patties and cooked in a pan or deep fried until golden and crispy. Serve with pita bread, tahini sauce, and salad for a delicious and healthy meal.

Ingredients

Falafel is made of ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. You will need the following ingredients to make falafel:

Chickpeas:

Chickpeas are the main ingredient of falafel and make up about 80% of its content. You can use dried or canned chickpeas. However, using dried chickpeas gives the best result as they make the falafel less starchy. Soak the chickpeas overnight before using them.

Onions:

Onions add flavor to falafel. Chop them into small pieces and mix them in the chickpea mixture.

Garlic:

Garlic gives falafel a unique taste. You can use fresh garlic or garlic powder.

Parsley:

Finely chopped parsley brings a fresh and herbal flavor to the falafel.

Cilantro:

Cilantro is optional, but it adds a great flavor to the falafel.

Cumin:

Cumin is a key spice in falafel and adds a slightly smoky and earthy flavor to the mix.

Coriander:

Roasted coriander seeds mixed with cumin create the perfect flavor in falafel.

Baking Powder:

Baking powder helps the falafel to have a light and crispy texture.

Flour:

This ingredient is used to help the falafel maintain its shape. Use all-purpose or chickpea flour.

Instructions

Step 1: Soak the Chickpeas

Soak the chickpeas in cold water for at least 12 hours. Drain the water and rinse the chickpeas with fresh water two to three times.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a food processor, mix the chickpeas, onions, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, baking powder, and flour until the mixture is coarse but well blended.

Step 3: Chill the Mixture

Chill the mixture for one to two hours in the refrigerator to help it hold its shape.

Step 4: Form the Falafel Balls

Form the mixture into small balls or patties.

Step 5: Fry the Falafel

Heat vegetable oil in a deep-frying pan. Drop a small amount of the mixture into the oil to check its temperature. If the oil bubbles around the falafel, it’s the right temperature. Cook the falafel for two to three minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown.

Step 6: Drain the Falafel

Remove the falafel from the frying pan and place them on a paper towel to drain the excess oil. Serve warm with pita bread, hummus, and other condiments.

Step 7: Garnish

Sprinkle some sesame seeds and fresh herbs on top of the falafel to garnish them. You can also drizzle some tahini sauce for added flavor.

Conclusion:

Making falafel at home is very easy if you follow the right steps and use the correct ingredients. You can adjust the spices to your preference and experiment with the recipe to create your perfect falafel. Enjoy!

Ingredients for Falafel

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, making falafel is relatively easy. All you need is some time, patience and the right ingredients. Here are the key ingredients needed to make an authentic and delicious falafel:

1. Chickpeas: Falafel is made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, or a combination of both. Chickpeas are the go-to ingredient as it helps retain a crispy texture while giving the falafel a nutty flavor.

2. Herbs and Spices: A combination of fresh herbs such as coriander, parsley, and dill, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper, are the key seasonings for falafel. These ingredients give the falafel a depth of flavor that is unmatched.

3. Baking Powder: Baking powder is used to give the falafel its light and fluffy texture on the inside while remaining crispy on the outside.

4. All-Purpose Flour: Flour helps bind the ingredients together, making it easier to shape the falafel without it crumbling.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Falafel

Making falafel is simple. It requires a bit of time and patience but provides a delicious and healthy option for dinner or lunch. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making falafel at home:

1. Prepare the Chickpeas: Soak dried chickpeas overnight in cold water. The following day, drain chickpeas and rinse well to remove any impurities.

2. Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, combine chickpeas, herbs, and spices. Pulse the mixture until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture, but not pureed. Do not over-process as it will result in a paste-like consistency.

3. Add Flour and Baking Powder: Sprinkle the flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper over the chickpea mixture and pulse until well combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed but remains somewhat crumbly.

4. Form the Falafel: With wet hands, scoop out 2 tablespoons of the mixture and form it into small balls or patties by rolling or flattening it with your hands. Repeat until all the mixture is used.

5. Frying the Falafel: Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. To check the temperature, drop a tiny piece of the mixture into the oil. If it sizzles immediately, it’s ready. Gently lower the falafel balls into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 2-3 minutes each. Use a slotted spoon to remove falafel from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

6. Serve: Serve your homemade falafel hot and crispy with pita bread, tahini sauce, hummus, and a variety of fresh vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.

Tips for Making Perfect Falafel

To ensure your falafel turns out just right, follow these simple tips:

1. Use dried chickpeas instead of canned for the best texture and flavor.
2. Don’t over-process the chickpea mixture; it should have a crumbly texture, not a paste-like consistency.
3. Adding baking powder to the mixture makes the falafel light and fluffy.
4. Use all-purpose flour to bind the ingredients together, but don’t add too much.
5. Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the falafel.
6. Squeeze out any excess water from the chickpeas before blending.
7. Let the mixture rest for at least 30 minutes before forming it into balls or patties.
8. Wet your hands to avoid the mixture from sticking to your fingers as you shape it.
9. Fry the falafel in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
10. Serve your falafel hot and crispy with tahini sauce and fresh vegetables for a flavorful and healthy meal.

3. Cooking the Perfect Falafel

1. Preparing the Oil
Before you start frying your falafels, select a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil. Pour enough oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan making sure to leave about 2 inches from the top surface to prevent spills and splatters. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches about 375°F.

2. Shaping the Falafel
Take the falafel mixture from the fridge and use a cookie scoop or a spoon to shape them into small balls, roughly the size of a golf ball or smaller. Flatten each ball slightly into patties using your hands or a fork.

3. Frying the Falafel
Gently slip the patties into the hot oil with a slotted spoon or spatula, making sure to cook only a few pieces at a time so as not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the falafel turns golden brown and crisp on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them onto a paper towel-lined plate to remove the excess oil.

4. Serving the Falafel
Serve the hot and crispy falafels on a plate or in a pita wrap with an assortment of sauces and toppings. Tahini sauce, hummus, diced tomatoes, pickles, onions, and lettuce are some popular toppings that you can add for extra flavor.

5. Storing the Falafel
Falafel can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you’ve made extra, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop them in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until they’re heated through.

Enjoy Your Delicious Homemade Falafels!

Well, there you have it – a simple and easy way to make falafel at home. It’s a healthier option with ingredients that you choose and control, resulting in a delicious and wholesome meal. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new. If you have any comments or suggestions, please do let me know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to visit again soon for more fantastic recipes!