Make your own falafel

The savor of Middle Eastern spices, the light, crispy texture of freshly fried dough, and those unforgettable family moments when everyone assembles a falafel sandwich at the dinner table. Aren't those reasons enough to learn how to make falafel yourself? Sure, there are countless places to find a delicious falafel sandwich, but nothing beats the satisfaction of creating this iconic dish in your own kitchen. Plus, once you master the art of making falafel yourself, you can completely customize the dish to your and your family's taste preferences.

What is falafel anyway?

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish, particularly popular in countries like Egypt, Lebanon, and Israel. It's essentially balls or discs of fried dough made from ground chickpeas or fava beans. They're spicy, protein-rich, and delightfully crispy on the outside while remaining soft and flavorful on the inside. It's a vegan and vegetarian's dream, but the truth is that falafel is enjoyed by almost everyone, regardless of dietary preferences. Falafel is typically served in pita bread or flatbread, along with a fresh salad, spicy tahini sauce, and sometimes even seasoned rice . It's a versatile dish that can be customized to your heart's content.

How do you make falafel?

Making falafel yourself is a relatively simple process, but it does require some planning. It's important to soak the chickpeas or fava beans overnight before cooking. Once they're thoroughly soaked, they're ground into a paste. Then, you add fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley, as well as classic Middle Eastern spices like cumin and coriander seeds. After frying, you'll have a batch of delicious, fresh falafel that's more than worth the wait.

Ingredients

• 250 g dried chickpeas (not canned)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, pressed
• 1 bunch of fresh parsley or coriander, finely chopped
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp flour (or chickpea flour)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a bit of spice
• Vegetable oil for frying

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The Hendi measuring cups – set of 4 or 7 pieces helps you always use the perfect quantities.
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Preparation method

• Soak the chickpeas
• Place the dried chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with plenty of water. Let them soak for at least 12 hours (preferably overnight).
• Drain the chickpeas and pat them dry.

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Perfect for mixing the falafel.
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Make the falafel mixture

• Place the chickpeas in a food processor or blender. Add the onion, garlic, parsley or cilantro, cumin, ground coriander, salt, pepper, and any additional spices you like.
• Mix until coarsely ground. It should be firm enough to form into balls, but not completely smooth.
• Add the baking powder and flour and mix briefly until well combined.
• Place the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

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Make your own falafel with this blender!
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Shape the falafel

• Take small portions of the mixture and form them into balls or disks (about walnut size).
• Place them on a plate and let them rest for a while.

Baking or frying

• Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to about 180°C (350°F). Fry the falafel in batches until golden brown (2-4 minutes per batch). Drain on paper towels.
• Pan frying: Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a frying pan and fry the falafel on both sides until golden brown.

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Fry the falafel in this frying pan.
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How do you store falafel?

The best thing about making falafel yourself is that you can always make extra and freeze it for later. You can freeze the uncooked falafel balls by first placing them loosely on a baking sheet until they harden. Then, they can be safely placed in a freezer bag without sticking together. When you're ready to cook them, you don't even have to thaw them. Simply fry them until golden brown and crispy.

What to do with leftover falafel?

Got some falafel leftover? No worries, falafel is also delicious leftover. You can crumble it over a salad, stir-fry it with vegetables, or wrap it up for a quick lunch the next day. The possibilities are endless.

Let's get started!

Nothing's stopping you from discovering the charm of homemade falafel. Grab those chickpeas, heat-resistant oil, and your favorite spices, because it's time to become a falafel master in your own kitchen!