Classic Homemade Falafel
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The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
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381 | Calories |
27g | Fat |
28g | Carbs |
8g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 to 6 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 381 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 27g | 35% |
Saturated Fat 2g | 9% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 365mg | 16% |
Total Carbohydrate 28g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber 5g | 18% |
Total Sugars 5g | |
Protein 8g | |
Vitamin C 5mg | 26% |
Calcium 38mg | 3% |
Iron 2mg | 12% |
Potassium 310mg | 7% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Falafel (pronounced "fell-off-uhl"), sometimes spelled "felafel" or "felafil," is a deep-fried ball or patty that is made from either chickpeas or fava beans and spices. It is a vegetarian and vegan food and one of the most widely consumed and recognized foods of the Middle East. It's a very popular fast food around the world, and vendors sell it on the street corners in countries like Egypt, Syria, and Israel, where it's the national dish.
Falafel is a favorite among vegetarians with its crisp outside and tender inside with a mildly spiced flavor thanks to the garlic, parsley, and spices. The spices are a key aspect and can be personalized to taste. Make sure you leave enough time to soak the dried chickpeas overnight before mixing up your batter and frying.
As a main dish, falafel is often served as a sandwich, stuffed in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini. As an appetizer, it can be served on a salad or with hummus and tahini. It's also often served with hot sauce.
Click Play to See This Veggie-Friendly Falafel Recipe Come Together
Ingredients
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1 cup dried chickpeas
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1 large onion, chopped
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2 cloves garlic, chopped
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3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
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1 teaspoon cumin
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1 teaspoon coriander
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1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
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Pepper, to taste, optional
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4 tablespoons flour
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Oil, for frying
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi
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Place dried chickpeas in a bowl and cover with cold water. Allow to soak overnight.
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Drain the chickpeas and place them in a pot with fresh water. Bring to a boil.
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Allow to boil for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat and let simmer on low for about 1 hour. Being careful not to overcook them. They should still be firm.
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Drain and allow to cool in the strainer for 15 minutes.
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Add 2 inches of oil to a heavy-bottomed large pot and heat to 350 F.
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Combine the drained chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper (if using) in a medium bowl. Add the flour.
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Mash the chickpeas, mixing all of the ingredients together. Alternatively, you can combine the ingredients in a food processor. You want the result to be a thick paste.
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Form the mixture into balls about the size of a ping pong ball. Slightly flatten.
The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi
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Fry the falafel balls for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown. Drain. Serve hot.
The Spruce / Maxwell Cozzi
Tips
- The dried and cooked chickpeas can be replaced with a can of chickpeas. Skip the soaking and cooking if using canned beans. Make sure to rinse and drain, patting the beans dry with paper towels.
- If the mixture isn't firm enough, add extra flour a little at a time.
- If you need a binding agent, add one beaten egg.
- Fry in batches, making sure that the oil returns to 350 F before frying the next one.
Is Chickpea Falafel Healthy?
Falafel is vegan and high in fiber thanks to the chickpeas. However, traditional falafel like this recipe is deep-fried, adding fat and calories. Make falafel part of a healthy meal by pairing it with fresh vegetables like cucumber, tomato, and lettuce. Or try making baked falafel.
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