Falafel have an ancient and fascinating history: born on the streets of the Middle East, they have become an icon of vegetarian cuisine and Mediterranean street food. Falafel were born from tradition, spices, and simple ingredients. I like to make them at home in all their variations: chickpea falafel, fava bean falafel, and bean falafel, each with a different personality but always crispy and fragrant. Ideal to share with friends and to accompany with hummus, tahini, and pita bread. In this blog, I share the recipe, tricks, and inspirations to bring irresistible, healthy, and flavorful falafel to the table, perfect for those who love Mediterranean street food and vegetarian cuisine.
I consider them ideal for a finger food dinner, perfect to share and serve with fresh sauces, pita bread, and colorful vegetables. For a lighter version, you can bake them in the oven brushing them with oil.
How to Make Chickpea Falafel at Home
Vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, light, gluten-free dish.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Affordable
- Rest time: 12 Hours 30 Minutes
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 4 People
- Cooking methods: Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 9 oz dried chickpeas
- 1 onion (small)
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
- 1 pinch cumin
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- as needed peanut oil (for frying)
- to taste ground coriander
Tools
- 1 Frying Pan metaltex
Preparation
Drain them well and dry them with a towel;
Place chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, ground coriander, salt, and pepper in a mixer;
Pulse until you get a coarse but compact mixture;
Add the baking soda, mix, and let the dough rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator;
Form balls or small patties;
Fry in hot oil (around 340-356°F) until they become golden and crispy;
Drain on absorbent paper and serve hot with hummus, tahini, or spiced yogurt.
If you prefer a lighter version, you can bake them in the oven at 392°F for about 20-25 minutes, brushing them with a little oil.
