Falafel is a popular fried snack food from the Middle East. Here are the key things to know:
- Falafel are small fried balls or patties made from chickpeas
- They are a classic street food sold by vendors in places like Lebanon
- Falafel from stores can be unhealthy with too much oil and preservatives
- But it’s easy and better to make fresh Falafel yourself at home
Would you like to learn how to prepare authentic, homemade Falafel? Keep reading!
What Exactly Is Falafel?
Small fried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices are called Falafel (pronounced “fah-lah-fell”). They originated in the Middle East as a vegetarian street food.
When done right, Falafel has a crispy golden-brown outer shell with a soft, fluffy green interior. The inside mixture contains:
- Soaked and ground chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- Parsley and cilantro
- Onions and garlic
- Spices like cumin, coriander and pepper
Falafel is a tasty appetizer, snack, or sandwich filling wrapped in flatbread with veggies. They are:
- Vegan and gluten-free
- High in protein from the chickpeas
- Filling but still pretty healthy when baked instead of fried
Why Make Falafel at Home?
Store-bought or restaurant falafel is often fried using lots of oil, which makes it heavy and greasy. They may also contain preservatives.
The great thing about homemade Falafel is you control the ingredients and cooking method. Baked Falafel can be just as delicious as fried, but much lighter.
Making Falafel from scratch is surprisingly easy, too! You only need basic pantry staples like dried chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices. No special equipment is required beyond a food processor.
How to Make Authentic Falafel
Ingredients Needed:
- Dried chickpeas
- Parsley and cilantro
- Onion and garlic
- Flour
- Cumin, coriander, salt and pepper
Step 1: Prepare the Chickpeas
The crucial first step is to soak the dried chickpeas for 24 hours before preparing the falafel mixture. This allows the chickpeas to rehydrate and soften.
Do not use canned chickpeas! They contain too much moisture, making the falafel dough too wet and requiring lots of extra flour to compensate. This ruins the proper texture.
Step 2: Make the Falafel Mixture
Put the soaked, drained chickpeas in a food processor and pulse into a paste-like consistency. Then, add the remaining ingredients, such as herbs, spices, onions, and a small amount of flour.
Blend everything until well combined into a moist green mixture that holds its shape. Refrigerate the mixture for 1-2 hours, covered, to let the flavors meld.
Step 3: Shape the Falafel
Scoop out small rounds of the falafel dough mixture using a falafel scoop, cookie dough scoop, or your hands. Roll into balls or flatten slightly into discs.
Step 4: Cook the Falafel
For frying: Heat 1 inch of oil, like grapeseed oil, in a skillet or pot. Carefully fry the Falafel in batches for 2-3 minutes until dark golden brown on the outside.
The Falafel patties should be placed on a baking sheet that has been greased for baking. They should be baked at 400ยฐF for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are lightly browned.
How to Serve Falafel
Fried or baked Falafel makes a delicious, filling vegetarian meal! Some tasty ways to enjoy them:
- Stuffed with vegetables and tahini sauce, enjoy a pita or flatbread sandwich.
- As an appetizer dipper for hummus or other dips
- Crumbled over salads
- On their own as a snack or side dish
Making restaurant-quality falafel at home is easy; you can control the ingredients for a healthier meal. Give this traditional Middle Eastern recipe a try!
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Screenshot taken from: Simplyleb