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    Home » Recipes » Mains

    Homemade Falafel

    Published: Jun 19, 2021 by Ayeh Manfre 34 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    This homemade falafel recipe is packed full of chickpeas and beautiful fresh herbs. Perfect to serve as an appetizer or even as a main meal.

    One of my favourite things to cook and eat is Homemade Falafel. They are great to serve as an appetizer, as part of a mezze platter, and also great to have as a main meal when served in a wrap or with some rice and salad.

    To serve I like to make a quick tahini sauce which I also share in this recipe. It also pairs really well with a fresh Shirazi Salad.

    I love using chickpeas in many dishes, some of the regular recipes I make all the time is my Persian Patties, Crispy Chickpeas, and Hummus.

    Jump to:
    • What is Falafel?
    • Ingredients to make Homemade Falafel Recipe
    • How to make Homemade Falafel
    • How to make Falafel in the Air Fryer
    • Tips
    • More Chickpea Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    What is Falafel?

    Falafel is a popular middle eastern dish made with ground chickpeas, mixed with herbs and spices formed together into small balls and deep fried to provide a crunchy texture on the outside and soft in the middle.

    Ingredients to make Homemade Falafel Recipe

    • Chickpeas, ensure they are soaked dried chickpeas overnight rather than using canned chickpeas which will make them mushy
    • Fresh Herbs in parsley, coriander, mint, and shallots
    • Garlic, I've only used one large clove in this recipe
    • Cumin is the only spice used in my recipe, you can also add chili
    • Chickpea Flour I prefer to use but you can use any flour. This helps bind the mixture together
    • Baking powder to assist with a fluffy soft texture

    How to make Homemade Falafel

    1. Grab your fresh herbs and roughly give them a quick chop. Add to your food processor with your soaked chickpeas and seasoning and blend until finely chopped together.
    2. With a spoon and your hands, roll falafel mixture into balls and place on a tray lined with a baking sheet, and let them set in the fridge for one hour.
    3. Deep fry in oil and let them stand on paper towels to remove the excess oil before serving with tahini dressing.

    How to make Falafel in the Air Fryer

    Time needed: 37 minutes.

    1. Preheat Air Fryer

      Heat Air Fryer to 180°C/350°F

    2. Put in Falafel balls

      Gently place falafels inside ensuring they are not touching and spray the tops with oil spray

    3. Cook

      Cook for 11 -13 minutes then take them out, they should be golden. Turn them around and spray the tops with oil then cook for another 2 minutes.

    Tips

    • Ensure to use dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight. Using canned chickpeas won’t have the same texture as they’re already cooked, they become mushy and soggy once blended with all the ingredients
    • Pulse the food processor rather than letting it blend. This way you can control the chopping and keep some texture in the mixture
    • The water is only needed if your mixture is dry and too crumbly as it will help it hold together. Ensure to only add slowly and not too much of it 
    • Be gentle when rolling the falafel. I’ve found it helps to use a spoon to shape and press your hands when rolling 
    • Refrigerating the falafel before frying them helps the excess moisture dry out. It’s not mandatory but it’s recommended 
    • Place the falafel on a paper towel after they’ve been fried to allow the remove the excess oil 

    More Chickpea Recipes

    • Persian Patties
    • Crispy Chickpeas
    • Beetroot Hummus
    • Best Hummus
    • Chickpea Avocado Salad

    I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to tag @cookingwithayeh and share a photo on Instagram so I can share the love.

    Recipe

    Fried Falafel drizzled with tahini sauce
    4.29 from 32 votes

    Homemade Falafel

    This homemade falafel recipe is packed full of chickpeas and beautiful fresh herbs. Perfect to serve as an appetizer or even as a main meal.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern
    Keyword: Chickpeas, herbs, lunch
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 77kcal
    Author: Ayeh
    Pin Print Rate

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup dried chickpeas soaked overnight
    • 1 cup parsley
    • 1 cup coriander (cilantro)
    • 10 mint leaves
    • 4 shallots
    • 1 large garlic clove
    • 2 tablespoon flour (I used chickpea flour but you can use any flour)
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 tablespoon water
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Oil for frying

    Tahini Sauce

    • 1 heaped tbsp tahini
    • ½ lemon squeezed
    • 1-2 tablespoon cold water
    • Sea salt

    Instructions

    • Soak dry chickpeas for a minimum of 8hrs or overnight in water, make sure your bowl has enough room as chickpeas will expand double in size
    • Drain and pulse the soaked chickpeas in a food processor a few times until they are chopped
    • Roughly chop all herbs and add into the food processor along with all other ingredients
    • Blitz together until all ingredients are combined and finely diced, make sure to not over blitz as you want to keep some texture
    • Using your hands and with a tablespoon, roll mixture into balls and place on a tray lined with baking paper
    • Refrigerate for one hour
    • To make the tahini sauce, add all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until a creamy consistency is achieved. If it's too thick, add more water to thin it out
    • Follow your preferred cooking method below then serve with tahini dip and a side of pickles is always a great combo.  To serve as a main, serve with rice and salad or works well in a wrap.

    Fried

    • Deep fry falafels into heated oil for a few minutes until golden on each side.  Fry in batches and don't overcrowd the pot so falafels aren't touching
    • Remove and place on paper towels to remove excess oil

    Air Fryer

    • Heat Air Fryer to 180°C/350°F
    • Place Falafel balls gently inside ensuring they are not touching and spray the tops with oil spray (I use olive oil spray)
    • Cook for 11 - 13 minutes then take them out, they should be golden. Turn them around and spray the tops with oil then cook for another 2 minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    • The information on the nutritional table is the falafel being “uncooked” so the frying oil is not included. This will vary on the type of oil that’s being used along with the cooking method

    Nutrition

    Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 34mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 562IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Mains

    • Khoresh Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Stew) served in a pan with Persian rice and shirazi salad on the side
      Khoresh Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Stew)
    • Pasta e Fagioli served in a bowl topped with parsley and parmesan cheese
      Pasta e Fagioli
    • Roasted Cauliflower Steaks in an oven tray
      Cauliflower Steaks
    • Close up of chopped asian salad in a bowl
      Chopped Asian Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Senafe

      May 25, 2021 at 9:31 am

      3 stars
      I have had a problem with my Falafel mixture being too wet despite adding flour. I found that after soaking the chickpeas, they need to be thoroughly dried before processing. This has changed the texture and taste to be more like the Falafel I enjoyed while living in the middle east.

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        May 26, 2021 at 3:13 pm

        Yes they must be dried before adding to your food processor 🙂 Great to hear that you like my recipe x

        Reply
      • Melissa

        June 24, 2021 at 7:36 pm

        It's delicious and so easy to make, my 3 years old, 6 years old and husband loved it. I will make it again ! I have made so many of Ayeh's recipes and never been disappointed. ❤

        Reply
        • Ayeh

          June 24, 2021 at 7:41 pm

          Aww what a beautiful compliment! So happy to hear lovely 🙂

          Reply
        • Farzaneh

          August 16, 2021 at 8:36 pm

          5 stars
          Thanks Ayeh Jun the best homemade falafel I ever made

          Reply
          • Ayeh

            August 18, 2021 at 8:11 pm

            Awww what a beautiful compliment lovely xxx

            Reply
    2. Tulsi

      June 17, 2021 at 9:51 pm

      5 stars
      These are so delicious and ridiculously easy to make. Thanks for another amazing recipe.

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        June 22, 2021 at 12:19 pm

        So happy you love them too Tulsi! x

        Reply
    3. Célyne

      June 18, 2021 at 7:00 am

      Can you bake them instead?

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        June 22, 2021 at 12:18 pm

        Yes lovely you can, they wont be as crispy as the airfryer however will still taste as good 🙂

        Reply
    4. Arzoo

      June 19, 2021 at 1:43 pm

      Thanks for this recipe Ayeh! Can you bake them? I don't have an air fryer and trying to avoid deep frying.

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        June 22, 2021 at 12:18 pm

        Yes Arzoo you can, they wont be as crispy as the airfryer however will still taste as good 🙂

        Reply
    5. Kate

      June 23, 2021 at 6:47 am

      5 stars
      These were the perfect consistency and texture, not mushy and they held together! Love the mint with the parsley and cilantro, super fresh flavour. I used an air fryer and it worked perfectly. I’ll be making these again and again!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        June 24, 2021 at 7:29 pm

        So great to hear this Kate! the herbs make it dont they 🙂 xx

        Reply
    6. Kate

      June 23, 2021 at 6:51 am

      5 stars
      This is the best falafel recipe I’ve tried. Perfect texture and consistency, not mushy and they held together! I love the mint with the parsley and cilantro, super fresh flavours. I’ll be making these again and again!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        June 24, 2021 at 7:29 pm

        So great to hear this Kate! the herbs make it dont they 🙂 xx

        Reply
    7. eloise

      July 22, 2021 at 4:10 pm

      can you used canned chickpeas instead of dried chickpeas that you soak?

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        July 22, 2021 at 7:09 pm

        No dear, they wont have the right texture and will be mushy once blended as they're already cooked xxx

        Reply
    8. Lele

      July 29, 2021 at 11:56 am

      AMAZING Ayeh!! I am obsessed with your recipes...and this is one of the yummiest and EASIEST!!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        August 01, 2021 at 6:26 pm

        Awww thank you lovely, this is one of my favs too! x

        Reply
    9. Rohan Grant-Dawes

      July 31, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      Super delicious and easy to make. Full of flavour and crunchy and delightful.
      Be careful not to make them too big! As they become difficult to cook in the Centre without burning the outside, worked it out the hard way
      But we’ll worth the effort.

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        August 01, 2021 at 6:36 pm

        Yours still looked so good Rohan, next time they will be even more perfect 🙂 x

        Reply
    10. Francesca

      August 02, 2021 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious!
      Ayeh this recipe is amazing, i gave up with making falafels until your delicious recipe!
      I have found my love for falafels again!
      Thankyou lovely

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        August 03, 2021 at 10:13 pm

        Awww so happy to hear Francesca! Its one of my favourites x

        Reply
    11. Sarah Ruslan

      August 12, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      This was such an easy recipe to follow! I didn't have chickpea flour so I substituted it with AP flour and that worked out well. I played around with the proportion of the herbs a little bit (more parsley and less mint because I didn't have enough of the latter) and it still turned out super balanced flavour wise. I didn't have cumin powder and substituted it for ras el hanout too.

      I normally don't fry anything at home, but frying these up was easy enough! Not to mention your kitchen smells so delicious during. The falafels turned out super crispy and not oily at all.

      I doubled the recipe so I had a big batch of falafels to keep in the freezer 🙂

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        August 15, 2021 at 11:37 am

        So happy you loved these as much as I do lovely 🙂

        Reply
    12. Taryn

      September 21, 2021 at 10:19 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely divine! Adored them in the pita wrap with pickled onion, hummus, lettuce and cucumber!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        September 21, 2021 at 12:56 pm

        Oh yummy! Its the best in a wrap yum 🙂

        Reply
    13. Lilianne Constantinou

      February 11, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      Hi Ayeh, I would love to make your falafels! But what is the quantify all ingredients.

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        February 12, 2022 at 3:11 pm

        Hi dear, there's a recipe card if scroll to the bottom of the page xxxx

        Reply
    14. Lily

      February 13, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      My first successful falafels. Yay! Had them in pita bread with Persian cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley and tahini sauce.

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        February 13, 2022 at 9:12 pm

        Yay so lovely to hear this!! Falafel is one of my fav recipes! Send me a picture on instagram if you took one 🙂

        Reply
    15. Geetha

      February 26, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      5 stars
      This is yet another winner from Ayeh’s recipe. I’m not kidding, the falafels that result from this recipe is off the charts. I’m so fussy with food and this recipe produced falafels that are crunchy, light and packed with flavours. So easy to make too. I usually have it with a pita, tabouli and mint yogurt. So yummy!!!!

      Reply
      • Ayeh

        March 01, 2022 at 10:37 am

        Hehe yay! So happy you love these as much as I do 🙂

        Reply

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