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A white plate filled with falafel balls next to a bowl of tahini sauce.
Home || Recipes || Entrees || Falafel

by 1,590 Comments

Falafel

Learn how to make crispy, delicious Middle Eastern falafel the authentic way with multiple variations. Includes video tutorial.
4.85 from 717 votes
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Falafel! It’s one of my all-time favorite snacks. This homemade falafel recipe has hundreds and hundreds of positive reviews. Why? Because it’s just that delicious!

Making authentic, traditional falafel is an interesting process, and it may be brand new to you. Never fear! I am here to walk you through each step, so you can achieve crispy, tender, tasty falafel every single time.

A white plate filled with falafel balls, tahini sauce, fresh herbs,a head of garlic, and pita bread sit in the background.

Table of contents

What is Falafel?

Falafel are crisp and delicious deep-fried legume fritters made with beans, spices, onions, and herbs. Legumes are well-soaked, then ground up and mixed with other ingredients. Next, the mixture is formed into small balls or patties, then fried in hot oil. The pre-soaked legumes are cooked during the frying process. 

Most falafel today is made with chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans). However, in Egypt and other areas of the Middle East, fava beans are the legume of choice. It is often served alongside other popular regional Mediterranean recipes like hummus, as well as shawarma made from lamb or chicken.

The History of Falafel

This Middle Eastern food has a very long history. The word falafel may descend from the Arabic word falāfil, a plural of the word filfil, meaning “pepper.” Legume fritters, including versions made with fava beans and lentils, have existed in the Middle East for thousands of years.

According to The Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, written by my friend Gil Marks: “The first known appearance of legume fritters (aka falafel) in the Middle East appears to be in Egypt, where they were made from dried white fava beans (ful nabed) and called tamiya/ta-amia (from the Arabic for ‘nourishment’); these fritters were a light green color inside. Many attribute tamiya to the Copts of Egypt, who practiced one of the earliest forms of Christianity. They believed that the original state of humankind was vegetarian and, therefore, mandated numerous days of eating only vegan food, including tamiya.”

Likewise, the Torah, the Song of Songs, the Mishnah, and the Talmud all mention deep-fried lentil fritters, known as “ashishim.” This means early forms of falafel were enjoyed in this region since biblical times, at least. That’s some pretty ancient falafel!

A plate containing a pita pocket filled with falafel next to a small black dish of tahini sauce.

Ingredients and Notes

Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details! 

  • Chickpeas – I use chickpeas because they’re easy to find, and they’re tasty! Follow my tips to cook and soak dried chickpeas. Do not use canned chickpeas; they will not give you the proper result – you need to start with uncooked chickpeas. If all you have on hand are canned chickpeas, try this very delicious and falafel-like spicy panko chickpea patties recipe instead! 
  • Onion and Garlic – These ingredients add a pungent, sweet, savory taste. I like white onion, but yellow onion will also work. Then, I use roasted garlic cloves for extra depth. 
  • Herbs and Spices – Fresh parsley, salt, ground cumin, ground coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and ground cardamom create the warm, savory flavor found in falafel recipes all over the world. 
  • Flour – Use all-purpose flour or chickpea flour to keep this recipe gluten-free. This absorbs any excess moisture and helps the falafel balls hold their shape. 
  • Leaveners – I use baking soda in the soaking water for the chickpeas to help soften them. You can also add baking powder in the falafel balls. This helps to create super tender, fluffy falafel.
  • Oil – Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for frying. I prefer avocado oil, but grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and peanut oil all work.
A bowl of hummus topped with two falafel balls. A plate of falafel balls sits in the background.

How to Make Authentic Fried Falafel Balls

Homemade falafel can be a little time-consuming. So, make sure to read through the entire recipe and plan ahead accordingly! 

  1. Soak the chickpeas. Submerge the chickpeas in cold water, and add baking soda. Cover the bowl, and chill in the fridge for at least 12 hours or ideally up to 24 hours. This helps soften them, making them easy to blend. 
  2. Combine and blend. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Then, add them to a food processor along with the other ingredients. Pulse until a rough, coarse meal forms. Stop and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all the ingredients are well incorporated. Be careful not to overprocess! The mixture should have a paste-like consistency, but shouldn’t be so smooth that it turns into hummus. 
  3. Chill. Transfer the chickpea mixture to a bowl, and stir with a fork to remove any remaining chunks. Then, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. 
  4. Fry. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. In the meantime, portion the falafel mixture into equal-sized balls or slider-shaped patties. Then, fry on each side until golden brown, working in batches as needed. Drain them on a paper towel-lined plate, and enjoy! 
A man is making a pita sandwich at counter with salad fixins. Two workers are in the kitchen behind him.
Mana Mana falafel stand on Yehuda Hamaccabi street – Tel Aviv, Israel

Tori’s Tips for the Best Crispy Falafel Recipe

  • Divide the mixture. If you have a small food processor, divide the falafel ingredients in half before pulsing. 
  • Use a deep fry or candy thermometer. The ideal temperature to fry falafel is between 360 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to monitor the temperature is to use a deep fry or candy thermometer to check the oil before frying. 
  • Portion evenly. I like to use a tablespoon or a falafel scoop to portion the falafel balls into equal-sized pieces and roll them between wet hands.
  • Test a single falafel before frying the rest. I like to fry a test one in the center of the pan. If the oil is at the right temperature, it will take 2-3 minutes per side to brown (5-6 minutes total). If it browns faster than that, your oil is too hot, and your falafels will not be fully cooked in the center. Cool the oil down slightly and try again. 
  • Add flavor. I like to dip my falafel balls in sesame seeds before frying for a little extra crisp and nutty taste. However, I’ve also tested different flavor variations, adding chopped parsley or fresh cilantro or turmeric, and they all taste great. (See the recipe card below for details!)
Tori Avey eating a falafel pita sandwich, smiling at the camera, at Mana Mana restaurant in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Enjoying a falafel pita sandwich.

Serving Ideas

My favorite way to serve homemade falafel is as a falafel sandwich. To do so, I use flatbread or slice warm pita bread in half to form two “pockets.” Then, I stuff them with the falafel balls and add-ons such as tahini sauce, Israeli salad, hummus, baba ganoush, or tabouli, and vegetables like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and dill pickles. 

Sometimes I also like to add sprouts, cucumber slices, roasted peppers, roasted eggplant slices, sunflower seeds, French fries, feta cheese, and yogurt or tzatziki for extra taste and texture. 

Or, start with a large bowl and a base of lemony saffron couscous, cauliflower couscous, quinoa, or saffron rice, then add fresh veggies and all your favorite toppings. 

Falafel balls are also great to serve as an appetizer or side dish with dips and main courses. Or, add them to a mezze platter for a party spread. 

Ariel Rosenthal and Tori Avey at Hakosem restaurant in Israel.
With Ariel Rosenthal at Hakosem restaurant – Tel Aviv, Israel
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A white plate filled with falafel balls next to a bowl of tahini sauce.

Falafel

Learn how to make crispy, delicious Middle Eastern falafel the authentic way with multiple variations. Includes video tutorial.
COURSE: Main Course
Kosher Key: Parve
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Resting Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 55 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound dry chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) – you must start with dry, do NOT substitute canned, they will not work!
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 3-5 cloves garlic (I prefer roasted garlic cloves)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon flour or chickpea flour
  • 1 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Pinch of ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (optional – makes the falafel more fluffy)
  • Vegetable oil for frying – avocado oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and peanut oil all work well (I prefer avocado oil)
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”wiyajhd9″ upload-date=”2022-10-20T00:00:39.000Z” name=”Falafel” description=”Falafel Recipe – Learn to make authentic falafel the traditional way with multiple variations in this step-by-step tutorial.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Instructions

  • One day ahead: Pour the chickpeas into a large bowl and cover them by about 3 inches of cold water. Add 1/2 tsp of baking soda to the water and stir; this will help soften the chickpeas. Cover the bowl and let them soak overnight in a cool, dark place or chill in the refrigerator. The chickpeas should soak at least 12 hours and up to 24 hours, until tender (change soaking water for fresh water after 12 hours).
    Horizontal image of dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans) soaking in a glass bowl of water.
  • They will double in size as they soak – you will have between 4 and 5 cups of beans after soaking.
    Horizontal image of glass bowl filled with chickpeas (garbanzo beans).
  • Drain and rinse the chickpeas well. Pour them into your food processor along with the chopped onion, garlic cloves, parsley, flour or chickpea flour (use chickpea flour to make gluten free), salt, cumin, ground coriander, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and cardamom. Note: if you have a smaller food processor, you will want to divide the ingredients in half and process the mixture one batch at a time.
    Horizontal overhead image of a food processor bowl filled with falafel ingredients.
  • Pulse all ingredients together until a rough, coarse meal forms. Scrape the sides of the processor periodically and push the mixture down the sides. Process until the mixture is somewhere between the texture of couscous and a paste. You want the mixture to hold together, and a more paste-like consistency will help with that… but don't over-process, you don't want it turning into hummus!
    Overhead image of a food processor bowl filled with falafel batter.
  • Once the mixture reaches the desired consistency, pour it out into a bowl and use a fork to stir; this will make the texture more even throughout. Remove any large chickpea chunks that the processor missed.
    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
    Fill a skillet with oil to a depth of 1 ½ inches. Use cooking oil with a high smoke point (oil suggestions can be found in the ingredient list). Heat the oil slowly over medium heat. The ideal temperature to fry falafel is between 360 and 375 degrees F; the best way to monitor the temperature is to use a deep fry or candy thermometer. After making these a few times, you will start to get a feel for when the oil temperature is "right."
    Meanwhile, form falafel mixture into round balls or slider-shaped patties using wet hands or a falafel scoop. I usually use about 2 tbsp of mixture per falafel. You can make them smaller or larger depending on your personal preference. The balls will stick together loosely at first, but will bind nicely once they begin to fry. 
    Horizontal overhead image of a white plain containing uncooked falafel balls.
  • If the balls won't hold together, place the mixture back in the processor again and continue processing to make it more paste-like. Keep in mind that the balls will be delicate at first; if you can get them into the hot oil, they should bind together and stick. If they still won't hold together, you can try adding 2-3 tbsp of flour or chickpea flour to the mixture. If they still won't hold, add 1-2 eggs to the mix. This should fix any issues you are having.
    Before frying my first batch of falafel, I like to fry a test one in the center of the pan. If the oil is at the right temperature, it will take 2-3 minutes per side to brown (5-6 minutes total). If it browns faster than that, your oil is too hot and your falafels will not be fully cooked in the center. Cool the oil down slightly and try again. 
    Horizontal overhead image of falafel balls frying in a pan.
  • When the oil is at the right temperature, fry the falafels in batches of 5-6 at a time until golden brown on both sides. Once the falafels are fried, remove them from the oil using a slotted spoon. Let them drain on paper towels.
    Horizontal overhead image of a white plate filled with falafel balls.
  • Serve the falafels fresh and hot; they go best with a plate of hummus and topped with creamy tahini sauce. You can also stuff them into a pita.
    Horizontal image of a bowl of hummus topped with two falafel balls. A plate of falafel balls sits i the background next to a falafel pita sandwich.
  • SESAME FALAFEL VARIATION: After forming the balls or patties, dip them in sesame seeds prior to frying. This will make the falafel coating crunchier and give it a slightly nutty flavor.
    Sesame falafel balls on hummus.
  • HERB FALAFEL VARIATION (GREEN FALAFEL): Add ½ cup additional chopped green parsley, or cilantro, or a mixture of the two prior to blending.
    Herb green falafel balls on hummus.
  • TURMERIC FALAFEL (YELLOW FALAFEL): Add ¾ tsp turmeric to the food processor prior to blending.
    Yellow turmeric falafel balls on hummus.
  • HOW TO MAKE A FALAFEL PITA: Making a falafel pita is actually really simple. The two main ingredients are pita bread and falafel. 
    Cut the pita bread in half to form two “pockets.” Each pocket is a serving size. Stuff the pocket with falafel, as well as any add-ons you fancy.
    Here are some traditional add-ons that can be added to your pita: tahini sauce, shredded lettuce, diced or sliced tomatoes, Israeli salad, onions, dill pickles, hummus, tabouli.
    Here are some less traditional add-ons that are also tasty: sprouts, cucumber slices, roasted peppers, roasted eggplant slices, sunflower seeds, french fries, feta cheese, yogurt, tzatziki.
    Horizontal close up image of a plate containing a pita pocket filled with falafel next to a small black dish of tahini sauce.

NOTES

You will also need: food processor, skillet
Prep time relates to actual time spent preparing ingredients. You’ll also need 12 hours of resting time to soak the chickpeas.
Makes 30-34 falafel balls. Serving size is roughly 5 falafels each. Nutrition is calculated with the assumption that each falafel ball absorbs 1/2 tsp of oil. This is my best estimate; when they are fried at the proper temperature, the falafel absorb very little of the cooking oil. The nutritional information provided here is calculated using an app. If you have specific dietary concerns, please consult your doctor or nutritionist.
A note on freezing: I have had several readers ask about freezing this recipe. I have never tried it myself, but here are some tips left from the comments. Some readers have had good luck with freezing the mix, then thawing it the night before in the refrigerator before frying. Sometimes a little more flour or chickpea flour is needed to hold the mixture together after freezing. Some readers have had luck with forming the balls, freezing those, then frying them straight from the freezer. Some have successfully frozen the finished cooked falafel, defrosting as needed. 
To bake falafel: Brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Form the falafel into flat patty-style shapes and place them on the baking sheet. Brush the top of each patty with extra virgin olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through baking, until golden brown.
Personally, I don’t recommend baking these, as I find it can make them dry – but some people have great luck with it. If you read through the comments you’ll find various responses from readers who have tried baking. I also don’t own an air fryer, so I can’t advise on that. Read through comments for others’ experiences with this device. 
The following falafel-like recipe can be baked without losing too much in terms of flavor/texture: Spicy Panko Chickpea Patties.
Troubleshooting: If your falafel is too hard/too crunchy on the outside, there are two possible reasons– 1) you didn’t process the mixture enough– return the chickpea mixture to the processor to make it more paste-like. 2) the chickpeas you used were old, or they didn’t soak long enough. Try buying a fresher (newer) batch of dried chickpeas next time and make sure you soak them until they’re doubled in size and slightly tender.
Note: Some people like to add baking powder or baking soda to the falafel mix to lighten up the texture inside of the falafel balls. I don’t usually add it, since the falafel is generally pretty fluffy on its own. If you would like to add it, stir 1 tsp of baking powder into the falafel mixture after it has been refrigerated. I do add a bit of baking soda to the soaking water, which is outlined in the recipe.
EGYPTIAN FAVA BEAN FALAFEL: Use 1 lb. dried fava beans instead of chickpeas; cover them with cold water, soak them for at least 24 hours, then drain, rinse and peel them to remove the tough outer skins. You can also use a mixture of soaked fava beans and chickpeas if you wish; just make sure the weight of the dried beans adds up to 1 lb.
After the beans are soaked and skins removed, add the Classic Falafel ingredients to the processor along with the following ingredients – 1 leek, cleaned, trimmed, and quartered; ¼ cup chopped dill; ¼ cup chopped cilantro; and an additional ¾ tsp cayenne pepper. When mixture is processed to a coarse meal, pour into a bowl. Stir 2 ½ tbsp sesame seeds into the mixture with a fork until it’s evenly dispersed throughout the mixture. Refrigerate and proceed with frying. If mixture seems too “wet” when making the falafel balls, add additional flour by the teaspoonful until the mixture sticks together better. Continue with frying.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Falafel
Amount Per Serving
Calories 409 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 700mg30%
Potassium 720mg21%
Carbohydrates 50g17%
Fiber 13g54%
Sugar 8g9%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 300IU6%
Vitamin C 8.7mg11%
Calcium 96mg10%
Iron 5.5mg31%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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FAQs

Can I store leftovers? 

This recipe is best served right away. However, you can store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. 

I’ve never tried freezing this recipe, but some readers have had good luck with freezing both the uncooked chickpea mixture and the cooked falafels. 

Can I bake falafel balls instead of frying? 

Personally, I don’t like baking this recipe, finding that it tends to dry out. However, if you want to give it a try, prepare and shape the falafel dough into patties as usual. 

Then, arrange them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, and brush the top of each falafel patty with extra virgin olive oil. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden. If you read through the comments, you’ll see tips from some readers who have tried this method with some success.

More Ways to Use Chickpeas

Nutritional information should be considered an estimate only; please consult a registered dietician, nutritionist, or your physician for specific health-related questions. Read more here. Please note that the recipe above is published using a recipe card plugin, with preexisting software which can auto-calculate metric measurements, as well as change the number of servings. Metric conversions and changes to the number of servings (resulting in different ingredient amounts) will only appear in the ingredient list, and are not changed within the step-by-step directions of the recipe.
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Comments

  1. Avatar photoTodd says

    5 stars
    Great recipe! So much better than packaged mix! Especially with roasted garlic! Yum! Thank you for the great tips, photos and clear explanations!

    Reply

  2. Avatar photoJ says

    5 stars
    First time trying to cook falafel and it turned out great! I used Safflower oil and it worked very well. My first one fell apart due to my mixture being too coarse. Put it back in the food processor for a bit and it was all good after that. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

  3. Avatar photoSam says

    5 stars
    One of my first times making falafel and it turned out perfectly! Excellent recipe, lots of detail and simple to follow. I also used your tahini recipe, and they pair together fantastically. Thanks for sharing this recipe! I posted on my food blog about it, and made sure to mention your site!

    Reply

  4. Avatar photoMayra says

    Hello! I’m currently in the process of making this recipe by soaking the chickpeas. However, I was wondering if these falafel could be made using an air fryer? I looked through the comment section, and although it had been asked a few times, there was never a reply to that particular question. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Avatar photoTori Avey says

      Hi Mayra, unfortunately I don’t have an air fryer and have never used one, so I can’t answer your question. Maybe another reader can!

  5. Avatar photoJulian M Ford says

    2 stars
    I so wanted this to work – I had such a craving for falafel. Sadly, the vast majority of my recipe went to dust in the oil. The patties were smooth enough but I can’t add eggs – vegan. I threw in a couple tablespoons of plain hummus to try to make them stick together more but alas, they were just crumble city for me. And, the ones that made it through the oil semi-intact just seemed bland. Could def use more salt. I’ll keep looking.

    Reply

    • Avatar photoTori Avey says

      Hi Julian, did you use cooked chickpeas? That tends to be number one cause of problems when the falafel disintegrates, which is why I very clearly specify you must use soaked beans.

    • Avatar photoNancy J says

      Julian, I implore you to try again b/c I just made these and am eating the most delicious falafel of my life (and my best friends are Lebanese and Israeli so believe me I’ve had some damn good falafel in my past.) Holy Cow these are incredible!! You won’t find a better recipe out there–and I swear it’s that pinch of cardamom that elevates it to heavenly.

    • Avatar photoBianca says

      5 stars
      If your falafel isn’t binding well, try a good heaping (maybe less than a 1/4c) of flaxseed meal before chilling the mixture in the fridge to help them firm up. I always add it in to this otherwise EXCELLENT recipe. Oh, and baking powder might be necessary, 1 to 2 tbs, (I always add it and I love it) to help lighten up the mixture since the flax meal has such a gelling quality. Oh, and try a tbs of nutritional yeast in there! I made the second half of the falafel tonight with nooch and it was definitely the pièce de résistance. The nooch also helps with binding as it soaks up some of the liquid in there. I think this recipe is definitely worth a second try. Oh, and I think some vegan yogurt tzatziki would be to die for with this recipe. Good luck on your quest, but I think you’ve found the gem, it just needs some polishing up for your tastes!?

  6. Avatar photoNicole E Frausto says

    5 stars
    Tori, these Falafel are awesome!!
    Your instructions were easy to follow and even though this was my first time making these, they turned out perfect. The flavor was really really good. The only thing I did different was not add the cayenne, because I knew my kids would be eating these and I did not want it to be too spicy.
    Thank you for such a great recipe.
    Here’s a picture of how they turned out.
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/oR3kuxLrusJgqL2KA

    Reply

  7. Avatar photoGuillaume says

    5 stars
    Finally my first falafels!!!!! I screwed up the first time caus I cooked the chick peas before making the mixture, which then dissolved when I tried to fry them.. massive failure.. then I waited months before trying again, And today it was the best!!!!! Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Avatar photoSarah says

      I flatten them slightly, brush the “up” side with olive oil and bake at 400-425 for 10 minutes, then remove, brush other side with oil and bake for another 10 minutes. Not wonderful if reheated but perfectly tasty when served immediately. The only way to go if you’re watching your weight or want to control your fat intake. I’ve also started to add 1 tablespoon of baking soda because I read it makes it fluffier. Not sure if it’s made a difference …

  9. Avatar photoLauren A Wells says

    5 stars
    Does anyone know if it’s okay to boil them and then let them soak for an hour or so instead of overnight if you don’t have time?

    Reply

  11. Avatar photoCrushlily says

    5 stars
    I had a 3/4 bag of dry chickpeas in my pantry that was so old I don’t remember buying them. In effort to use up leftover stores and save some money, I made these falafels. Now I have the problem of having to buy more dry chickpeas because they were so yummy!

    Reply

    • Avatar photoTori Avey says

      They should not be soft, but they should be somewhat tender – tender-crisp is the best way to describe it.

  14. Avatar photoDr Bobbi Anne White says

    Sounds great!
    One point. Using eggs will make tge recipe non-vegan. You can use flaxseed instead. It works quite well as a replacement for eggs

    Reply

  15. Avatar photoLinda says

    This recipe is the only one I’ve tried that doesn’t fall apart when frying. A great recipe in this regard!

    However, I got a very bad stomach ache afterward. I speculate that it was linked to the lectins in the undercooked beans. Boiling the beans to doneness is advised for people who are sensitive to lectins. Frying the beans were insufficient in my case. I sincerely hope you will advise your fans of the possibility of digestive upset with your recipe.

    Reply

    • Avatar photoTori Avey says

      I’m sorry to hear that Linda. The frying is supposed to fully cook the beans – indeed, I don’t think they would be fluffy and soft inside if they weren’t cooked, since the soaked uncooked beans are quite chewy. Are you sure you might not have a sensitivity to another ingredient in the recipe, like the garlic perhaps? If you are convinced it was the beans, then you might try this version which uses cooked chickpeas and yields a similar result: https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/spicy-panko-chickpea-patties-recipe/

    • Avatar photoDiana says

      It’s the same in our case.
      I also suspect that the chickpeas are not very fresh – we just buy what we find in the stores, and we have no info on harvesting date.

  16. Avatar photoEmm Cee says

    5 stars
    This is my “go to” recipe for Falafels and I make a batch for the freezer most weeks. (Perfect for making a quick last minute snack or to take to work for lunch).I do add about a tablespoon of besan flour to the mix, flatten them ever so slightly for freezing, cook directly from frozen and find them just as delicious. (I find them a bit dry if I defrost them first) I have also experimented a bit over the years and will sometimes fling in a handful of coriander leaf as well as the rind and juice of a lemon.

    Reply

  18. Avatar photoBeth says

    5 stars
    My family and I absolutely love this recipe. This was my first time making falafel, though definitely not my first time eating it. I thought I’d be putting up some of the “batter” in the freezer but I think the family has decided we’re eating the rest of it tomorrow! Thanks for a great recipe.

    Reply

  19. Avatar photoEsther says

    5 stars
    I was craving falafels and decided to give your recipe a try. Love love love your recipe! The falafels were easy to make and so delicious. I had them fresh with pita, hummus, tomato, lettuce and hot sauce. So yummy! I’ve also frozen some of the shaped mix to keep for later. You’ve made me very happy. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Avatar photoAbi says

      Yours is the first falafel recipe i went to after googling for said recipe. I don’t think i shall need to browse another recipe. Must say i fell in love with your looks; especially in the pic of you holding a falafel pita… Many compliments to your parents!

  20. Avatar photoShamin says

    Thank you for your recipe. Your recipe is very similar to a South Indian snack called vadde which is very popular in India. The only differences being, vadde is made with dried split peas (soaked) and a few additional spices and greens. The balls are flattened a bit to form disks. I found a way to make this super healthy. I steam the discs on a steaming tray in my steam oven for 30 minutes. Then I lightly brush with oil and transfer to my Tefal Actifry air fryer. The results are really good. They crisp up beautifully and the taste is really wonderful. The best part, they are healthy and taste awesome.
    What brand of food processor do you recommend? I’m using a Kenwood but the results are a bit coarse for my liking.

    Reply

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