Easy Homemade Falafel (fried, baked and air-fryer directions)
Homemade falafel is easier than you think! Using canned chickpeas and only a handful of ingredients, this easy falafel recipe is perfect for weeknights, with traditional fried and air-fryer directions.
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Falafel:
- 1 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry
- 1/4 large onion, peeled and cut into large pieces
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 6-8 tablespoons flour, more if needed
- Neutral oil for frying
For the Herb Tahini Sauce:
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup tahini
- pinch cayenne
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- salt
For assembling:
- Warm pita bread or homemade flatbread
- Chopped tomatoes
- Sliced red onion
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- In a food processor, add the chickpeas, onion, garlic and parsley. Pulse until very well chopped.
- Add in the salt, cayenne, cumin, baking soda and 4 tablespoons of flour. Process until smooth, but not creamy. The mixture should still have some slight texture to it, but be able to be rolled into tight balls. Add the rest of the flour, a tablespoon at a time, until mixture easily holds together.
- Using floured hands, scoop the falafel dough into 1-inch ball and roll, repeating with the rest of the dough. You can do this as you fry, but I find it easier to roll all at once before frying.
- Heat the 4 inches of the oil in a deep pan. When hot (see the spoon test below), add the falafel balls and cook until deep golden brown and crispy, about ~2 minutes per side
- Remove using a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with rest of the falafel.
- To make the herb tahini sauce, place the garlic and cilantro into a mini food processor or food processor and chop. Add the tahini, cayenne, lemon juice, water, olive oil and process until smooth. Add salt to taste.
- To assemble, fill the warm pita bread with tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, falafel and tahini sauce! I also add in some hot sauce.
Notes
To bake or use the air fryer, see the directions in the post.
To know if your oil is hot enough for frying, use the wooden spoon test. Place a wooden spoon into the oil and check for bubbles around the spoon. If nothing starts to bubble around the spoon, then it's not hot enough.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 138kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 315mgPotassium: 124mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.3gVitamin A: 252IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg