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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Falafel Recipe

    Published: February 8, 2022 · Updated: February 8, 2022 · By: Krissy · 35 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    homemade Falafel with tzatziki sauce

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • Chickpeas are delicious and nutritious: I've made many recipes where chickpeas are the main ingredient including Chickpea Salad, Roasted Chickpeas, Three Bean Salad, and Homemade 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!
    homemade Falafel with tzatziki

    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.

    ingredients for Falafel

    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.

    soaking dried chickpeas
    cover chickpeas with water
    soaking chickpeas in water
    soak overnight

    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.

    ingredients in bowl to make homemade falafel.
    add ingredients to bowl
    garbanzo beans with herbs and onions
    mix to combine
    garbanzo beans for Falafel recipe
    add small amounts to food processor
    Falafel ingredients in food processor
    process until texture is like fine sand
    Falafel ingredients in food processor
    continue processing
    Falafel mixture in bowl
    refrigerate

    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!

    making Falafel from scratch
    form ball
    forming Falafel in hand
    slightly flatten
    homemade Falafel prior to cooking
    cooking homemade Falafel in oil
    add to hot oil
    frying Falafel
    flip once
    frying Falafel
    fry to golden brown

    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.
    homemade Falafel split in half

    If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

    You can also follow along on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes to satisfy any foodie craving!

    Full Recipe Instructions

    homemade falafel

    Falafel

    Falafel is one of my favorite Middle Eastern street food recipes. Chickpeas are combined with other savory ingredients and deep fried to perfection!
    5 from 27 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved! Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Scale: 8 servings
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Kitchen Tools

    • Food Processor
    • 12-inch cast iron skillet
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound dried garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
    • 1 small red onion (chopped)
    • ¼ cup parsley (fresh, stems removed)
    • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 1 ½ tablespoons all purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • ½ 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.
      soaking chickpeas in water
    • 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.
      Falafel ingredients in food processor
    • Let it rest: Add mixture back to original bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least an hour.
      Falafel mixture in bowl
    • 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.
      forming Falafel in hand
    • 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.
      frying Falafel

    Notes

    Makes about 32 falafel. Serving size based on 4 falafel.
    Serve fresh with a nice garlicy tzatziki sauce!  https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/tzatziki/

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    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
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    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!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Molly

      February 01, 2023 at 10:08 am

      5 stars
      These were delicious! I did have to use a little more flour than the recipe called for, but that's an easy fix. I have 4 kids and they all loved them!

      Reply
    2. Alicia

      February 07, 2021 at 10:28 am

      Hi, can these be frozen after cooking? We are going to make them, but it’s just hubby and I.

      Reply
      • Krissy

        February 10, 2021 at 7:48 am

        I didn't freeze mine, but yes - I think you could easily freeze them and then to reheat, just allow to fully thaw and then toast in a pan.

        Reply
        • Bea

          March 05, 2023 at 9:23 pm

          5 stars
          I was given canned chickpeas do you think that they would hold up to make the falafels with?? I know it would change the texture maybe but would love to know if you or anyone had tried the canned peas?? Thanks so much.

          Reply
          • Krissy

            March 06, 2023 at 9:30 am

            I think it could work but I would try to press out as much liquid as possible first.

            Reply
    3. Alice

      November 29, 2020 at 8:10 am

      Can these be frozen?

      Reply
      • Krissy

        December 03, 2020 at 4:58 am

        I would think they could prior to cooking, but I never have.

        Reply
        • Trish

          May 30, 2023 at 5:32 pm

          I made these for the first time and my husband whose from the middle East loved them. Thanks for the great recipe .

          Reply
    4. Theresa

      October 19, 2020 at 6:32 pm

      Can these be baked instead of frying?

      Reply
      • Krissy

        October 24, 2020 at 8:00 am

        I've never baked them. Don't think they would get a crispy outer layer if baked.

        Reply
    5. Angie

      February 27, 2020 at 7:26 am

      Will it work OK if I cook the beans first? I've never made falafel without cooking the beans first. Also, I have a hard time digesting beans so I was thinking cooking them first would help with digestion. But I don't want to ruin the recipe. Advice, please! Thanks! Angie

      Reply
      • Krissy

        February 29, 2020 at 7:13 am

        I think it would work but I'm not sure the texture would be the same. If you try it, will you let me know?

        Reply
    6. Susan

      February 18, 2020 at 7:22 am

      I like falafel a lot . Instead of deep frying I do air frying it with a brush of oil and cones out very good.

      Reply
    7. Maddie

      February 04, 2020 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tonight for dinner and I don’t have the words...it was absolutely one of the most delicious recipes I’ve ever tried. I ended up eating 5 of these delicious nuggets and I’m so full I feel like I’m going to explode LOL I also made your tzatziki recipe as well and it was such an amazing compliment to the falafel. Thank you for this recipe SOOOOOO MUCH!!

      Reply
    8. Hanan

      January 23, 2020 at 10:23 pm

      As a Middle Eastern, we don’t use flour in any fresh falafel mixes. Also, important to add ground fennel to ensure easy digestion and no gas. No pepper.

      Reply
      • Mary

        March 08, 2023 at 2:27 pm

        ‏Thank you for that info! (Especially about the fennel!) going to give these a try!!

        Reply
    9. P Ricci

      January 03, 2020 at 7:21 am

      Is it possible to use canned chick peas?

      Reply
      • Krissy

        January 09, 2020 at 2:27 pm

        I've only made it with dry and heard the canned doesn't work as well, but I'm curious to know how it works...

        Reply
        • Rachel

          May 19, 2020 at 8:51 pm

          5 stars
          I used canned chickpeas! Just made this and had to throw out the first few. They didn't stick together at all. Ended up adding about 3 extra tbsp of flour to the remaining and they stuck really well and were DELICIOUS! Loved all around.

          Reply
          • Ccatcook

            January 29, 2023 at 4:57 pm

            The same for me. I used canned and they came apart so I added more flour.

            Reply
    10. Cheryl

      October 10, 2019 at 4:14 pm

      5 stars
      This was Amazing! Easy, affordable and delicious. Thank you Krissy. Love all the dishes I have tried!

      Reply
      • Krissy

        October 12, 2019 at 5:49 am

        Yay! Great comment!!! Thank you so much. -Krissy

        Reply
    11. haley

      October 04, 2019 at 11:05 am

      hmm! yummy! i made it at home. everyone like it. And want more and more.
      thanks friend to telling this special and owsome falafel snacks with us.

      Reply
    12. Dawn

      September 30, 2019 at 10:36 am

      You didn’t boil your chickpeas? Weren’t they still really hard when you put them in the blender? I’d like to try this because it looks so easy, but I don’t know how blending them and frying them will soften it, if it will blend at all.

      Reply
      • Krissy

        October 01, 2019 at 8:08 am

        I didn't boil them! They were still sort of gritty and next time I might even blend them more, but it totally worked! -Krissy

        Reply
    13. Suzy

      September 08, 2019 at 9:40 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorites to order in a restaurant! So excited that I can make them at home!

      Reply
    14. Tisha

      August 29, 2019 at 1:05 am

      5 stars
      Falafels make such a great appetizer for a Greek night meal!

      Reply
    15. Brian Jones

      August 28, 2019 at 11:05 pm

      5 stars
      I loved the classic flavours in these, I've seen so many odd things chucked into falafel but these are just perfect.

      Reply
      • Michele

        May 03, 2020 at 1:41 pm

        These were very yummy! Thanks!

        Reply
    16. Natalie

      August 28, 2019 at 11:05 pm

      I love homemade falafel! Looks so crispy and delicious - the perfect snack!

      Reply
      • Maddie

        May 18, 2020 at 1:45 pm

        5 stars
        I’ve made these fabulous falafel about 5 times now and they just keep getting better and better. Thank you for a delicious recipe!!

        Reply
    17. Veena Azmanov

      August 28, 2019 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      This looks so crunchy and delicious and best for my vegetarian friends. They to love it.

      Reply
      • Aida

        January 08, 2021 at 7:33 am

        Do you think these would work in an air fryer?

        Reply
        • Krissy

          January 13, 2021 at 5:31 am

          I think with a light coating of oil on the outside - YES! I just got a new air fryer so perhaps I'll try it myself.

          Reply
    18. Irina

      August 28, 2019 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      This chickpea-based Falafel sounds amazing! I cannot wait to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply

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