Falafel Recipe

5 from 7 votes

Finding the perfect recipe for a savory snack isn’t difficult when something as delicious as Falafels exists! This falafel recipe is excitingly crispy outside and super tender inside, with the right texture and an exquisite flavor that sets your taste buds grooving with ecstasy.

Prep: 20

Cook: 15

Soak: 12

Total: 12 35

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Gluten-free, Nut-free

Servings: FALAFELS

Calories: 27kcal

Author: Ruchi

Ingredients

FOR FALAFEL

1 cup Chickpeas
3 tablespoons Cilantro leaves
2 small Green chilies
1 cup Onions finely chopped
4 cloves Garlic
1 tablespoon Mint Leaves
1 teaspoon Cumin powder
¾ teaspoon Paprika adjust according to taste
- - Salt to taste
½ teaspoon Baking Powder
2 tablespoons Breadcrumbs gluten-free ( add only if frying the falafels)
1½ teaspoons Sesame seeds
- - Oil for frying

Instructions

SOAK CHICKPEAS

Start by cleaning chickpeas in a large mixing bowl. Pour water and rinse the dried chickpeas by rubbing them between your fingertips. The water will become slightly dirty and cloudy. Drain this water and repeat the process until the water is relatively clean. Rinse the beans and drain.
Transfer the rinsed chickpeas to a clean bowl and cover them in plenty of water. Soak the drained chickpeas for 12 hours. After 12 or more hours of soaking, chickpeas will triple in size.
Discard the water and rinse them again.
Set them aside to drain.

ASSEMBLE FALAFEL

Add the dried chickpeas, cilantro, green chiles, garlic, and mint leaves to a food processor.
Add onions, spices, and pulse. Pulse the food processor a couple of times to blend the mixture.
The pulsed mix should resemble a coarse meal and be grainy in texture.
Add baking powder, sesame seeds, and breadcrumbs to the pulsed mixture. Mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Cover and chill the falafel mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes for better shaping. When refrigerated, the Falafel mixture gets a little stiff, so it is easier to shape it into balls or patties.
Once the mixture is chilled, scoop golf-sized balls out of the mix or form them into round patties.

FRYING FALAFELS - AUTHENTIC METHOD

Heat oil in a pan. Before frying falafels, please ensure your oil is at the right temperature - (350 to 375°F). Carefully drop the falafel balls in the oil.
Tip — A temperature higher than this will cause the falafels to disintegrate in oil.
Keep moving and turning the falafels around in the pan for evenly cooking. This will also let them brown evenly.
Tip — Consider frying your falafels in batches to prevent them from overcrowding and bumping into each other in the pan. Too many falafels dropped in the oil in one go will not allow them ample space to fluff or cook.
Deep-fry the falafel on medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until nicely golden, crisp, and all-cooked from the inside.
Tip — If your oil temperature is correct, your falafels will come out crispy with less oil.
Once cooked, remove from the oil and set them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil. Repeat the process until all the falafels are fried.

PAN-FRY METHOD

If frying is not your thing, you can use alternative methods. You can pan-cook, bake or air-fry your falafels. For any of these methods - flatten the round balls like patties.
Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan. Gently arrange the falafels in the pan. Cook them on medium-high heat on each side for 2-3 minutes or until they are crisp and golden. Flip them once during the entire cooking time for evenly cooked falafels.
Tip — Since you will be cooking on two sides in these methods - it’s better to shape them like patties.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and serve warm.

AIRFRYER METHOD

Shape small balls or patties with the prepared mixture. Slightly press them down to shape them like patties, but do not press too hard while flattening the patties as the mixture will crumble.
Tip — Skip adding breadcrumbs to the mixture (if air-frying) to absorb moisture. A slight amount of moisture in the mix is perfectly okay, as this will keep the falafels soft and tender on the inside and crisp on the outside.
Place them in the Air Fryer to bake. Set the appliance temperature to 350°F and brush the falafels with very little oil on either side and bake for 8 minutes on one side.
Tip — Since an air fryer circulates hot air much faster and within a designated space, you can get a crispy falafel with very little oil.
Turn them halfway during baking and bake for 5 minutes on the other side. This will let them cook evenly and render them crispy. Serve warm.

Video

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store my freshly prepared falafels?

Falafels taste best when eaten fresh as the outer layer is crispy, and the interior is soft and fluffy, making it an irresistible treat.

However, you can store the leftover falafels for a day in the refrigerator after transferring them to an airtight container lined with parchment paper.

After refrigeration, you will find them losing their texture, but reheating them in the air fryer or the oven will bring them back to their crispiness.

Can I freeze these Falafels?

Yes, these falafels are completely freezer-friendly. You can freeze the uncooked falafel balls/patties and use them when needed later.

Pre-made falafel balls also freeze well for up to 2 months.

However, it would be best if you thawed them in the refrigerator overnight to be cooked the next day by following the directions given in the recipe below.

How can I serve these Falafels best?

These falafels are a perfect example of scrumptiousness at their best! You have ample ways to surprise your guests and family when serving this delicious preparation.

You can serve them —

As a delicious appetizer with a dip by the side, just like how it is presented in this recipe.
Go more creative and stuff it in a loaf of bread, giving it the ‘sandwich’ avatar, paired with greens, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, etc., and spicy dressings of your choice; to delight!
If you love salads, here is another way to relish this recipe. Top it over fresh greens, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, onions, and feta cheese to create a delicious salad that tastes out of this world!
Turn to the authentic serving style, the pure Middle Eastern style- Pack the fresh hot falafels into half-cut pita bread and add the greens, tomatoes, cucumber, hummus, and a generous amount of tzatziki dip to make a wholesome falafel treat, the perfect Middle-Eastern way!

Nutrition