Falafel is a delicious Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas and spices, often served in pita bread with various toppings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own falafel at home.

Ingredients

• Chickpeas: 2 cups dried chickpeas (do not use canned)
• Baking Soda: ½ teaspoon
• Fresh Herbs:
• 1 cup parsley leaves, stems removed
• ¾ cup cilantro leaves, stems removed
• Onion: ½ cup chopped shallot or yellow onion
• Garlic: 3-4 cloves, minced
• Spices:
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• ¾ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Baking Powder: ¼ teaspoon
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon, plus more for drizzling and frying
• For Serving:
• Pita bread
• Hummus
• Diced vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers)
• Fresh herbs (mint, parsley)
• Tahini sauce

Instructions

Soak the Chickpeas:

• Place dried chickpeas in a large bowl, cover with water, and soak for at least 24 hours. This step is crucial as it helps the chickpeas soften and swell.

Prepare the Mixture:

• After soaking, drain and rinse the chickpeas. In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, herbs (parsley and cilantro), baking soda, spices, and olive oil. Pulse until the mixture is finely ground but not pureed; it should resemble coarse sand.

Chill the Mixture:

• Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). Chilling helps the falafel hold together better when shaping.

Form the Falafel Balls:

• After chilling, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture and form them into balls or patties (about 1 inch in diameter). If the mixture is too crumbly, pulse it a few more times in the food processor.

Cook the Falafel:

• You can either deep fry or bake the falafel:
  • Deep Frying: Heat oil in a deep skillet to about 350°F (175°C). Carefully drop in falafel balls and fry for about 4 minutes, turning them until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  • Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place falafel patties on a lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for about 14 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown.

Serve:

• Serve hot with pita bread, hummus, diced veggies, fresh herbs, and tahini sauce.

This recipe yields about 12-15 falafel balls, perfect for a delightful meal or snack! Enjoy your homemade falafel!

Creative Ways to Serve Falafel

1. Falafel Wraps: Stuff falafel into pita bread with hummus, fresh vegetables, and tahini sauce for a classic wrap.
2. Falafel Bowls: Create a bowl with a base of grains (like quinoa or rice), topped with falafel, fresh salad, and your favorite dips.
3. Mezze Platter: Serve falafel alongside various dips such as baba ganoush, muhammara, and labneh, along with olives and pickled vegetables for a sharing platter.
4. Salads: Add falafel to salads for protein; try them on top of tabbouleh or a mixed greens salad with a lemon dressing.
5. Collard Green Wraps: For a low-carb option, use collard greens instead of pita to wrap falafel with veggies and sauces.

Alternative Beans for Falafel

Yes, you can use different types of beans instead of chickpeas for falafel. Black beans are a popular alternative that can give a unique flavor and texture. Other options include lentils or fava beans, which can also create delicious variations of traditional falafel.

Making Falafel Crisper Without Frying

To achieve crisper falafel without frying, consider these methods:

• Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the shaped falafel on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzling them with olive oil for added crispiness.
• Air Frying: Use an air fryer to cook the falafel at a high temperature for a crispy exterior while using less oil than traditional frying.

Good Dips to Pair with Homemade Falafel

1. Tahini Sauce: A classic choice that complements the flavors of falafel beautifully.
2. Hummus: Traditional or flavored varieties (like roasted red pepper) work well.
3. Baba Ganoush: The smoky flavor of this eggplant dip pairs nicely with falafel.
4. Muhammara: A spicy red pepper and walnut dip that adds depth to the meal.
5. Tzatziki: A refreshing yogurt-based dip with cucumber and garlic.

Gluten-Free Variations of Falafel

Falafel is naturally gluten-free as it is primarily made from beans and herbs. However, ensure that any flour used (if applicable) is gluten-free, such as chickpea flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour. Additionally, serve falafel in gluten-free pita or lettuce wraps to maintain the gluten-free aspect.