{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

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Falafel is one of my favorite Middle Eastern inspired street food recipes. Dried chickpeas are softened by soaking in water over night, combined with other savory ingredients, processed to a gritty-smooth consistency, and deep fried to perfection!

Serve with homemade Tzatziki sauce for the best snack or appetizer!

{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (1)

Table of Contents

  • Why you will love this recipe:
  • Ingredients needed to make this recipe:
  • How to make this falafel recipe:
    • Step 1: Soak chickpeas
    • Step 2: Mix and process
    • Step 3: Shape and fry
  • Recipe tips for best results:
  • Falafel Recipe

Why you will love this recipe:

  • Chickpeas are delicious and nutritious: I’ve made many recipes where chickpeas are the main ingredient includingChickpea Salad,Roasted Chickpeas,Three Bean Salad, andHomemade Hummus. If you love them as much as I do, you’ll love making falafel, and it will surely satisfy any vegan comfort food craving.
  • They’re filling: Because chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are high in protein and fiber, they keep you feeling full, making them a great snack. Serve them with a protein packed Greek yogurt tzatziki sauce and your snack just turned into a meal!
  • Time consuming, but worth it: Falafel is actually quick to cook, however the process requires planning because of the time it takes to soak the chickpeas and also to refrigerate the mixture prior to frying. With a little planning, however, they are very easy to make!
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2)

Ingredients needed to make this recipe:

Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

Dried chickpeas, red onion, parsley, garlic, salt, cumin, pepper, and a little bit of flour to hold everything together. Then, they are fried in oil.

{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (3)

How to make this falafel recipe:

Detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

Step 1: Soak chickpeas

Cover dried chickpeas with water and soak overnight.

{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (4)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (5)

Step 2: Mix and process

Once you’ve soaked and softened your chickpeas, you’ll process them with the other ingredients in the food processor.

The goal is to not get the mixture so smooth that it turns into a paste, but you will need it processed fine enough so that they hold their shape when being fried.

{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (6)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (7)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (8)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (9)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (10)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (11)

Step 3: Shape and fry

Form balls that are a couple of tablespoons in size and gently flatten.

To cook the falafel, you’ll heat a generous amount of oil in a pan and cook a few at a time, flipping once. The result will be a delicious, flavorful, golden brown, crispy snack!

{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (12)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (13)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (14)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (15)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (16)
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (17)

Recipe tips for best results:

  • Consistency of mixture: It is important that you use the food processor to grind the mixture to a consistent consistency of sand. If the chickpea pieces are too big, it will be difficult to eat, however you still want some grainy texture.
  • Deep frying: The trick to deep frying is to maintain a constant temperature of the oil. If you’re not experienced, I recommend using a thermometer. Also, be aware that adding the cold falafel balls to the hot oil will drop the temperature.
  • Storage: Falafel is best if eaten fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  • Reheating and leftovers: I’ve actually crumbled cold leftover falafel onto a salad and it was delicious! If you’d like to enjoy them warm, you can wrap them in a damp paper towel and reheat the center of the falafel in the microwave at 50% power for a minute or two and then fry them up in hot oil to make them crispy again.
{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (18)

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Falafel

Prep20 minutes mins

Cook20 minutes mins

Total40 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Author Krissy Allori

{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (19)

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Falafel is one of my favorite Middle Eastern street food recipes. Chickpeas are combined with other savory ingredients and deep fried to perfection!

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
  • 1 small red onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley fresh, stems removed
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • oil for frying Enough to have about an inch in your pan (I used avocado oil)

Instructions

  • Soak chickpeas: The night before making falafel, add dried chickpeas to a large bowl and cover with water. Cover bowl and let them soak overnight. They should double in size. When you're ready to make your falafel, drain chickpeas.

  • Mix ingredients: Add all ingredients except for oil to a large bowl and toss to combine.

  • Run through food processor: Working in small batches, process in food processor. The texture should be about as course as fine sand. Transfer processed mixture to a new bowl and pick out any large chunks to add to the next batch that gets processed. Continue until all ingredients are ground to the same sand-like consistency.

  • Let it rest: Add mixture back to original bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

  • Shape: To form the falafel balls, add a couple tablespoons of the mixture to the palm of your hand, form a ball, and slightly flatten the ball. The mixture doesn't hold together all that well, so just be gentle and steady with the pressure.

  • Fry: To cook falafel, add at least an inch of oil to skillet and heat to 375° F. Carefully drop formed falafel ball into the oil. I prefer to cook just a few at a time so that the oil temperature can remain steady. Cook until they turn golden brown, flipping once (about 5 minutes total). Be sure the oil is at the correct temperature before adding the next batch. Transfer cooked falafel to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

Notes

Makes about 32 falafel. Serving size based on 4 falafel.

Serve fresh with a nice garlicy tzatziki sauce! https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/tzatziki/

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 6g, Sodium: 597mg, Potassium: 541mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 200IU, Vitamin C: 6.3mg, Calcium: 73mg, Iron: 4.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me acomment below

This recipe was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don’t worry – the recipe hasn’t changed!

Appetizers Vegetarian

{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (20)

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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{How to Make} Homemade Falafel Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie (2024)

FAQs

Why does my homemade falafel fall apart? ›

If the mixture is too wet, the falafel has a tendency to fall apart when being fried so please pat dry the ingredients before using them. If you find the mixture is too wet, simply add little more breadcrumbs. The falafel mixture after prepared can be shaped by hand or with a tool called an alb falafel (falafel mold).

How was falafel traditionally made? ›

The dried fava beans are soaked in water and then stone ground with leek, parsley, green coriander, cumin and dry coriander. The mixture is shaped into balls or patties. This can be done by hand or with a tool called an aleb falafel (falafel mould).

How do you make falafels stay together? ›

Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to help the balls hold together when cooking. If making ahead, you can refrigerate the mixture for a few days. 4Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the falafel mix then gently shape it into a ball and place onto a clean plate.

Why add baking soda to falafel mix? ›

Dried chickpeas (that have been soaked in water for 24 hours) are an important ingredient that will give your falafel the right consistency and taste. (Tip: I usually add about ½ teaspoon of baking soda to the soaking water to help soften the dry chickpeas.)

What is the best binder for falafel? ›

I recommend olive oil, canola oil or avocado oil. Ground flaxseed. This is the binding agent in this vegan falafel recipe. You can substitute 1 egg for the 2 Tablespoons ground flaxseed.

What is the binding agent in falafel? ›

Ensure the chickpeas are well-drained and relatively dry before blending them with other ingredients. Excess moisture can make the falafel mixture too wet, which can make the falafel too gooey in the end. Don't skip the chill. Many recipes use egg or flour as a binding agent.

Why can't you use canned chickpeas for falafel? ›

Canned chickpeas do not work for falafel. They're far too wet. If you try to use canned chickpeas instead of dried and soaked chickpeas, you'll end up with sad falafel pancakes. Some recipes try to counteract the wetness by adding flour, which significantly dulls the flavor and makes the texture more doughy.

What does falafel mean in slang? ›

The word 'falafel' is a way to turn down sex with a partner . "Hey you wanna have sex?" "Falafel" " 😖"

Are falafels healthy? ›

Researchers have found that falafel has many health benefits. It is high in fibre as it contains vegetables, legumes (beans, chickpeas, or almonds), and olive oil, all of which can help people stay healthy and maintain an optimal weight while reducing their risk of diabetes, heart disease, and blood pressure.

How long does homemade falafel last? ›

The raw minced mixture is sometimes allowed to rest to integrate the flavours and textures, ideally refrigerated. Use the uncooked mixture within a day: cooked, refrigerated falafel should be eaten within three days.

What helps bind falafel? ›

A little flour in the mix will help. You can also try resting them in the refrigerator before cooking (this usually helps with all sorts of things of this kind, like meatballs.) Also, make sure that your oil is hot enough and that you aren't trying to cook too much at once.

How do you make falafel that isn't dry? ›

Drizzle the patties generously with oil before baking.

But oil is an important ingredient in falafel. It helps it become crisp on the outside while staying moist inside. To achieve this delicious balance, you need to drizzle your patties generously with oil. Don't hold back!

What if I forgot to soak chickpeas for falafel? ›

If you don't have time to soak your beans ahead of time, you can use this “quick soak” method, which shortens the overall cooking time. To quick soak beans: Pour the dry beans into a saucepan and cover them with 3 inches of water. Bring a boil, and let it boil for 5 minutes.

How do you make falafel less gassy? ›

If your making it at home then to reduce gas, soak with quick method, the beans and discard the soaking water before cooking them. Or cook in pressure cooker from dry further limiting the fermentation time!

How soft should chickpeas be after soaking for falafel? ›

The chickpeas should be tender enough to break apart with your fingers, but still have a bite to them. While the chickpeas soak, you can make tzatziki, chop tomatoes and lettuce, and assemble the other falafel ingredients.

What if I forgot to soak my chickpeas overnight for falafel? ›

Alternatively, if you're short on time, you can use the quick-soak method: place the beans in a pot and cover with water by about three inches; bring to a rolling boil and boil for five minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and let stand for one hour. Drain the chickpeas.

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