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Easy Falafel Recipe

Ready in 15 minutes, this Easy Falafel Recipe utilizes traditional soaked dried chickpeas and earthy spices for crisp, tender fried bites of Middle Eastern deliciousness! Serve with fresh hummus for a delightful snack or with tzatziki, pita, and salad for a filling dinner.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 180 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer , Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Middle Eastern , Vegan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dried chickpeas* soaked in cold water overnight
  • 1 medium sweet yellow onion quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon za'atar seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
  • ¾ cup whole pitted kalamata olives
  • canola oil for frying

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. The evening before, add dried chickpeas to a large bowl and cover with several inches of cold water. Let soak overnight, then drain thoroughly.
  2. In a food processor, add the onion and garlic and pulse until nearly pureed. Add the soaked chickpeas, coriander, salt, za'atar, cumin, and pepper and pulse several more times to lightly break up the chickpeas. Add the olives and pulse until the mixture reaches a coarse grind, but not pureed.
  3. Heat canola oil in a high-sided pot over medium-to-medium-high heat (or 375 degrees via candy thermometer). Form falafel mixture into 1 ½-inch balls and fry in batches for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess oil and serve immediately.

Notes

  • if you're anything like me and just soak a whole bag of chickpeas, use 4 cups of soaked chickpeas to equal 2 cups dried.
  • to reduce the likelihood of having too much liquid in the mixture, I recommend thoroughly draining the chickpeas and letting them sit for awhile before using, or lightly patting them with paper towels.
  • I also press out excess liquid from olives with paper towels, but if you find a lot of excess liquid in the falafel mixture, just gently drain it from the food processor.
  • a cookie scoop works well to make perfectly sized-and-shaped falafel balls.

Nutrition Information

Calories 180kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 17g (6%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 325mg (14%) Potassium 253mg (7%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 42IU (1%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 38mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 180

% Daily Value*

Calories 180kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 17g 6%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 325mg 14%
Potassium 253mg 5%
Fiber 5g 20%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 42IU 1%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 38mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

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