5.0 from 3 votes
How to Make Crispy Falafel
Perfectly crispy falafel is made with dried chickpeas combined with herbs and seasonings, then formed into balls or patties and fried to golden brown perfection. A traditional Middle Eastern recipe that tastes even better than what you’d get at a restaurant!
Prep Time
1 hr
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 24 balls
Calories: 34 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Middle Eastern
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas not canned
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves stems removed
- 1 cup fresh cilantro with stems
- 1 small onion cut into large chunks
- 2 jalapeño or serrano peppers
- 4-6 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon EACH ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, kosher salt, baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with 6 cups of water or cover by at least 2 inches. Stir in the baking soda. Allow them to soak for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours, preferably overnight.
- Drain the chickpeas well and add them to a food processor. Add the herbs, onion, jalapeño, garlic, spices and baking powder. Pulse food processor in 30 second increments, scraping the sides in between, until a slightly course mixture, resembling quinoa or couscous, is formed. Note, if you have a small food processor, you will need to do this in batches.
- Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to set for 1-2 hours or until ready to cook.
- Fill a deep pan with about 2 inches of oil over medium high heat until the temperature reaches about 370ºF.
- While the oil pre-heats, form the dough into small balls or patties. I like to use about 1.5 tablespoons of mixture per bowl. You can also do this using an ice cream scooper.
- Carefully drop the falafel patties in the oil and fry for about 4-5 minutes or until the outside is crispy and browned. Be sure to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove falafel onto a paper towel lined pan to dry the oil.
- Enjoy with a dipping sauce or crush them into the pita pockets and top with your favorite veggies (sliced onion, sliced cucumber, and pickled red onion) and top with tahini or shawarma sauce.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Serving
1ball
Calories
34kcal
(2%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
2g
(4%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
Sodium
50mg
(2%)
Potassium
101mg
(3%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
266IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
15mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 24balls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 34
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1ball | |
| Calories | 34kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Sodium | 50mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 101mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 266IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 15mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.