Every chickpea dreams of being transformed into a falafel! Ultra crispy on the outside, moist and fluffy on the inside, everybody loves them but few know how easy they are to make. This is an easy to follow falafel recipe with step photos AND a recipe video!
The best part is breaking open the golden brown balls to reveal the dazzling green insides. Dip them in tahini sauce and pop them straight in your mouth, or make wraps!
Falafel recipe
There are many things I do not know, but I do know this: Falafels are the highest and best use of chickpeas.
Perhaps not the most common use – hard to beat a batch of creamy hummus whipped up in mere minutes using a can of chickpeas. But if you’re after the best use of chickpeas, falafels win every time.
And if you’re a falafel fiend like me, you’re going to be blown away how easy it is to make falafels at home!
This falafel recipe takes me back to my travels through the Middle East, where I enjoyed freshly made falafels almost every day!
Canned chickpeas don’t work!
In the falafel world, canned chickpeas are not only illegal, they flat out don’t work. Reason: falafels are made with dried chickpeas that are soaked but not cooked before forming the falafel balls.
Other than the dried chickpeas rule, there’s nothing unusual that goes into falafels. Baking powder is the only point of contention – you won’t see it in all recipes and it’s not endorsed by Kenji over at Serious Eats, one of our references for this recipe.
But it’s a trade secret we managed to extract from Hijazi’s Falafel in Earlwood, one the best falafel joints in Sydney. So we tried it with and without, side by side, and the baking powder version was noticeably more fluffy – and moist.
So it’s in. Fluffy insides to the max!!!
Falafels MUST be made with soaked dried chickpeas that are NOT cooked. Canned chickpeas don’t work!
Frying is not optional!
It’s rare that I say frying is mandatory, but for falafels, it is. It’s the only way to get the signature super crispy dark crust and keep the inside moist.
For this falafel recipe, I deep-deep fry them in the video, using enough oil so they’re mostly submerged. But you don’t need to – you can use far less oil than I did and they can be shaped like discs rather than balls which will mean even less oil required for frying.
Speaking of discs – you can unleash your wild side when it comes to shaping falafels. I chose balls because for me, that’s the shape that first comes to mind. But other common shapes include: disc shape (slightly flattened ball), dome (ball with underside flattened) and torpedoes (evil looking shape, like a football).
How to make falafels
I promise you this falafel recipe is straightforward, and I did not exaggerate! Here’s how to make falafels:
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Soak dried chickpeas overnight (seriously, remembering to do this is the hardest part!)
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Blitz with herbs, spices, garlic, flour and a touch of water
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Form balls, refrigerate to firm up
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Fry until deep golden brown and super crispy
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Devour as fast as humanly possible. Falafels are at their absolute peak straight out of the fryer!
How to serve Falafels
The thought of having a whole bowl of freshly cooked falafels to dunk into sauce and pop straight into my mouth is certainly appealing – though not the most nutritious meal option!!
So to serve Falafels as a meal, I like to either make falafel plates or wraps using pita bread, or falafel rolls using Lebanese or other large flatbreads (like the Falafel rolls sold at Kebab shops in Australia).
In all 3 of these options, I use: tabbouleh and/or shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato and onion slices and drizzle the Falafels with Tahini Sauce. Hummus also makes an appearance 99% of the time – a very big dollop of it!
Falafels also make a terrific gluten free meal by making falafel plates using a flavoured rice instead of bread – such as Mejadra (Middle Eastern Lentil Rice).
Falafel sauce options
A sauce is a must for falafels – you need the wetness. Tahini Sauce is the standard, but it’s also terrific with a simple yoghurt-lemon sauce or even a thinned down hummus. Recipes for all these options are in the recipe below.
Making ahead
Falafels are one of those foods that are truly at their best fresh out of the fryer, when they’re super crispy on the outside and the inside is piping hot and moist.
Once refrigerated, the crust softens and the inside loses moisture. But! The good news is that they can be resurrected to a near freshly-cooked state using a combination of a microwave (gets the insides moist again) and a hot oven to recrisp the surface.
They’re good for 5 days in the fridge – probably longer.
Imagine that! Getting your falafel fix day after day after day….. – Nagi x
PS Couple more things homemade falafels has going for them: they’re super economical compared to store bought (dried chickpeas are the main ingredient and they’re super cheap!) and you can control the saltiness – I find that even the best falafel stores are often too salty.
Falafel recipe
Watch how to make it
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Falafel
Ingredients
Falafels:
- 225 g / 8 oz dried chick peas (Note 1)
- 1 cup parsley leaves , roughly chopped
- 1 cup coriander/cilantro leaves , roughly chopped
- 6 scallions/shallots , white and light green part only finely chopped (Note 2)
- 2 cloves of garlic , minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder (Note 3)
- 4 tsp flour (plain/all purpose) OR chickpea flour
- 5 tbsp water
For frying:
- 500 ml / 2 cups+ vegetable oil (Note 4)
Tahini Sauce (Other Sauces Note 5):
- 4 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 4 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
Serving (Note 6):
- Pita bread or other flatbreads
- Tabbouleh (recipe below)
- Hummus (optional extra)
- Shredded lettuce, tomato slices, sliced red or white onion
Instructions
Falafel:
- Place chickpeas in a large bowl and pour over plenty of cold water. Leave to soak 12 + hours (even 2 days is fine).
- Drain chickpeas well. Place in food processor, add remaining Falafel ingredients.
- Blitz for 2 to 3 minutes on high, scraping down sides as necessary, until the chickpeas are very small grains. Mixture should look like smooth guacamole from the outside (see video).
- Scoop up heaped tablespoons and shape into balls (or dome, disc or torpedo), place on a tray. Should make around 20, about 2.5cm / 1" wide.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Pour oil in a skillet or large pot - at least 1.7 cm / 2/3" depth (Note 4). Heat on medium high to 180 - 190C / 355F (or drop a bit in, should sizzle energetically).
- Place a ball in a large spoon (or tongs) and slide ball in. Cook in batches for around 4 minutes, using 2 forks to roll, until deep golden and super crusty on the outside.
- Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining falafel.
- Serve fresh out of the fryer with Sauce of choice! Make falafel wraps or plates with tabbouleh, tomato, onion, and Sauces of choice. See Notes 5 and 6.
Tahini Sauce:
- Combine tahini and lemon juice, and mix well. The mixture will stiffen.
- Stir in the water 1 tbsp at a time and it will loosen again. The final consistency should be like a thick drizzle sauce (see video). Season to taste with salt.
Recipe Notes:
* Falafel wraps / rolls - Use large or small flatbreads. Smear a good dollop of hummus or yoghurt (or Yoghurt Lemon Sauce, below) down the middle. Top with tabbouleh and/or lettuce, tomato, onion and falafels broken in half. Drizzle with Tahini Sauce or other sauce of choice (I love adding hot sauce). Either roll or fold and devour!
* Falafel plates - with tabbouleh and/or shredded iceberg lettuce with tomato slices, onion (red or white), Tahini Sauce with optional hummus with pita breads on the side. I love hot sauce too! A spiced pilaf like Mejadra (Middle Eastern Lentil Rice) is a terrific addition as well (and GF option). Tabbouleh: 2 tbsp Bulgur soaked in 3 tbsp boiling water then fluffed. 2 cups roughly chopped parsley, 1/2 cup roughly chopped mint, 1/2 red onion finely chopped, 2 large red tomatoes, deseeded & chopped. Dress with lemon juice and sprinkle of salt - adjust to taste depending on what you're serving it with. For falafel, I use very little salt and lots of lemon juice. Serving size: 2 - 3 halved falafels in pita pockets, 3 - 4 halved for a large roll, 4 to 5 for a plate. 7. Reheating: Falafel is one of those foods that's truly best served fresh out of the fryer. But the best way to store / reheat cooked falafel is in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days (really!). Microwave to reheat (really!) THEN spray with plenty of oil and bake at 200C/390F for 5 minutes just until the surface is crispy again. Make Ahead: Balls can be rolled then kept uncooked in the fridge for 24 hours OR frozen. If frozen, fry from frozen - just add another 1 or 2 minutes to the frying time. 8. Nutrition per falafel:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
He really thought there was something tasty buried in that prickly bush – he was snuffling around in there for ages!!
These are the best falafel ever! My husband even rates them above his favourite ones at a Lebanese restaurant we used to go to. Aside from having to pick all the herbs this is a really easy recipe. So good!
Absolutely yummy. I no longer buy felafels when looking for a vegetarian option as these are easy and delicious. Store bought just taste dry and bland. Thanks again Nagi for another great recipe.
So good! I didn’t have any fresh herbs so used baby spinach for freshness and then dried herbs for flavour. My boys were excited to eat “green hulk meatballs” for tea. 😆
So easy to make and so yummy. I made the tahini sauce, tabbouleh and hummus too!
I have made these a few times now and they are always delicious! I made them for my parents and they loved them. My step son always asks if I’m going to make them again. Thanks for another great recipe!
Excellent recipe doubled the quantity. Everyone really enjoyed them in flat breads with the salad and tahini sauce.
I followed the recipe but the ‘dough’ was super wet and i couldn’t shape it, even after adding more flour. I made equal portions that i can freeze and turn into flat fritters. Where did I go wrong?
First time I made these they were perfect. Second and third time massive fail. Can’t figure out why. I give up.
AMAZING! best falafel I have ever had!
I am infatuated with all of your creations – the comments and directions are on point – this one seals it! It’s the bomb!!
Very good recipe. Thank you
LOVE THIS!!! My MIL is Lebanese and tells me this is how her mum used to make Falafel! Big winner in our house! 😍🧆🧆
Delicious! Some of your recipes don’t seem to work for me but these are the most delicious felafel and easy to make!
LOVE so many of your recipes! Thank you! Want to try these but on a diet, so wondering if a serving size in your nutrition info per ball?
Have made these tonight…with the tahini sauce…delicious😋! You are right…the hardest (and most worth it) part is remembering to soak the beans early. I have tried making falafel with cooked chickpeas before and this recipe is so much better. They are tasty and stay together while cooking…even if you forget to chill them first! Thanks Nagi💝
These were sooooo good! Going to make a gazillion to freeze now, perfect freezer standby for the disorganised among us. Thanks Nagi, another winner 🙂
Hi Nagi, can these be baked rather than fried?
Wow, I am preparing several of your dishes, shawarma chicken, lamb koftas, chickpea salad, even made my own flatbreads! But have to say the falafels are amazing. Thanks for giving an average cook the confidence to be able to follow recipes and know the results will be exceptional!! Can’t wait for our Middle Eastern feast tonight with 10 guests xx
That sounds absolutely delicious Martine – enjoy!! N x
A lot of falafel recipes include flour. This is wrong. There is no need for flour whatsoever.
I made them and they were delicious!!
Maybe you can leave out the flour on your recipe site.
?? I don’t have a recipe site. What makes you think i do?
Hi Nagi, wondering if you can freeze the cooked falafel? I realize they wouldn’t be as crunchy on the outside after thawing but that doesn’t bother me
I don’t see why not Gabs! Cooked falafel stores well in the fridge too and still tastes good even if it’s not as crispy! If you spray with the oil and rebake as per my notes, it will come pretty close! N x
Hey Nagi, do you think you could cook these in an air-fryer?
I haven’t tested that yet Lisa but I think it should work – let me know how you go! N x
Works a treat in the air fryer. Just a light spray of oil and it’s good to go. I cook them like this from fresh too. No need to deep fry so a healthier option.
A staple recipe in our house. My husband reckons these are the best felafel he’s ever eaten (a crown previously held by Jasmin at Punchbowl). Everything I have made from you Nagi is the best. I can’t wait for your recipe book!
Thanks Laura – I totally get that though! The Jasmin ones are the BOMB!! N x