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Delicious Authentic Falafel Recipe
5 from 33 votes

Delicious Authentic Falafel Recipe

This Authentic Falafel Recipe uses soaked garbanzo and fava beans combined with fresh herbs and spices to produce a coarse, herbaceous mixture. Shaped and fried, the falafel features a crisp exterior with a tender, flavorful interior. The use of dried beans soaked overnight avoids canned beans, leading to a textured, traditional consistency. The falafel can be served fresh or reheated with care to retain crispness.

Prep Time
45 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Servings: 24
Calories: 4 kcal
Course: Main Course, Lunch
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups garbanzo beans dry
  • 1 ½ cups fava beans dry shelled and split
  • 1/2 yellow onion medium-sized, peeled, roughly chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves trimmed
  • ½ green onions root end trimmed, bunch, roughly chopped
  • 1 flat leaf Italian parsley medium-packed cup, leaves
  • ½ cilantro medium-packed cup, leaves
  • 2 teaspoons cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon salt sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • neutral flavored oil for frying

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add the dried garbanzo beans to a container and completely cover it with water. The water should be about 4” to 6” inches over the beans. Place in a cool dark place for 12 to 24 hours.
  2. Add the dried fava beans to a separate container and completely cover with water. The water should be about 4” to 6” inches over the beans. Place in a cool dark place for 12 to 24 hours.
  3. Preheat a 2-quart pan of oil filled to the halfway point of the pan.
  4. Drain both beans in a colander and then rinse under cold water. Drain.
  5. Add the beans to a food processor and pulse at high speed until it resembles a medium coarse grind. You may need to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
  6. Remove the beans and set them to the side in a large bowl.
  7. Return the bowl and blade, uncleaned, to the food processor and add the yellow onions, green onions, garlic, parsley, and cilantro.
  8. Pulse several times on high speed until everything is finely minced. You may need to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
  9. Next, add back in the roughly processed beans to the processor along with the cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper.
  10. Pulse several times on high speed until the mixture is more of a fine, coarse grind. You may need to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
  11. I always know when it’s done when I can form it into a small ball or disk, which holds its shape without breaking.
  12. Fold in the baking powder using a spatula until it is mixed in.
  13. Next, using your hands, a scoop, or a falafel scoop, make your falafel. Be sure to pack it in tight so that it does not break apart while frying. See the video.
  14. Set them to the side on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper. or you can add them right to a pan that is half-filled with neutral-flavored oil at or around 350°.
  15. Fry the falafel balls for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked throughout. Drain them on paper towels for 1 to 2 minutes.
  16. Serve them on a plate or in a sandwich along with dipping sauces.

Notes

  • For best texture, soak dried beans 12 to 24 hours; canned beans are not recommended.
  • Store uncooked falafel batter covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months, thawing before frying.
  • Cooked falafel can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for 3 months; reheat by baking or briefly frying to restore crispness.
  • Maintaining freshly made falafel warm in a low oven helps retain texture if serving immediately.

Nutrition Information

Calories 4kcal (0%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 0.2g (0%) Fat 0.1g (0%) Saturated Fat 0.01g (0%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.01g (0%) Monounsaturated Fat 0.04g (0%) Sodium 291mg (12%) Potassium 16mg (0%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 0.2g (0%) Vitamin A 11IU (0%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 5mg (1%) Iron 0.2mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 4

% Daily Value*

Calories 4kcal 0%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 0.2g 0%
Fat 0.1g 0%
Saturated Fat 0.01g 0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.01g 0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.04g 0%
Sodium 291mg 12%
Potassium 16mg 0%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 0.2g 0%
Vitamin A 11IU 0%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 5mg 1%
Iron 0.2mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.