Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern food made from ground chickpeas. It’s usually seasoned with herbs and spices and sometimes fried. This falafel recipe uses leftover canned chickpeas as the filling, and it’s a brilliant way to use up those cans of chickpeas. Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s also easy to make. Just follow the steps below and you’ll be eating falafel with canned chickpeas in no time!
Variations of Falafel
Falafel is traditionally a chickpea-based pattie that can be made with ground beef, lamb, or turkey, but many variations are also possible. One common variation is falafel made from canned chickpeas, which gives it a zing of flavor and prevents the patties from becoming greasy. Falafel can also be made with fresh chickpeas, which gives it a more authentically falafel-y flavor.
Why Make Falafel With Canned Chickpeas
With the exception of perhaps a slight rise in sodium brought on by chickpeas’ canning process, the nutritional value is virtually identical. Therefore, do not worry if you frequently eat canned chickpeas and prepare meals at home with them—you are not losing any nutritious value.
Canned chickpeas are a great substitute for fresh chickpeas. They have a firmer texture and hold their shape better than fresh chickpeas, which means falafel will be less likely to fall apart when cooked. Chickpeas also have a slightly different flavor than fresh chickpeas, so falafel made with canned chickpeas will taste slightly different from falafel made with fresh chickpeas.
Recipe for Falafel With Canned Chickpeas
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern food that is made from ground chickpeas. It’s a delicious and nutritious option that can be made in a number of ways, but this falafel recipe is a brilliant way to use up leftover canned chickpeas. The chickpeas give the falafel a crispy texture, while the garlic and cumin add flavor and spice.
Falafel is also low in calories and cholesterol-free, so it’s a great food choice for those watching their weight. To serve, simply dip falafel in tahini sauce or hummus, or enjoy it as is. Either way, this recipe is a delicious and easy way to get your falafel fix.
Ingredients for falafel with canned chickpeas
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin seed
- 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water 1 lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon (juice only)
- 2 cans chickpeas (15 ounces each), drained and rinsed well Sea salt or Kosher salt to taste 3–5 fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
- Optional: Plain TJ ‘s falafel seasoning, to taste
Instructions:
- Soak chickpeas in water overnight
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- In a food processor, pulse-dried chickpeas for about 10 seconds until they’re somewhat ground but still have some whole beans left over (this will make them easier to shape into patties). You should have about 2 cups of chickpea mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook onion and garlic until softened, stirring occasionally for approximately 5 minutes. Add cumin seed and baking soda mixture and continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
- Add chickpea mixture and lemon juice and zest, and stir well to combine. Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat to a low simmer, cover skillet with lid slightly ajar and cook until chickpeas are soft (around 30 minutes).
- Taste falafel mixture—it should be quite moist so add more salt or seasoning if desired. Serve patties hot and topped with parsley leaves if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is falafel such a popular dish?
Falafel is a vegan and gluten-free dish that is popular for its versatility. It can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. Falafel is made of ground chickpeas that are sealed in flour, spices, and water to form a dough. The Chickpea Falafel Recipe requires only five ingredients and takes around 30 minutes to make.
Most falafel is garnished with tahini sauce, chopped scallions, parsley, and fresh lemon juice – making it a very versatile food option for vegetarians or meat lovers alike.
Can you use canned chickpeas in place of fresh ones when making Falafel?
Yes, you can use canned chickpeas in place of fresh ones when making falafel. Canned chickpeas are a great way to use up leftover chickpeas from another recipe or as an ingredient in your own cuisine. They’re also easy to prepare and have a relatively low calorie count.
Conclusion
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern food that is made from ground chickpeas. This recipe for falafel with canned chickpeas uses up leftover canned chickpeas, making it an easy and convenient way to enjoy this delicious food.
Falafel is best served fresh, but if you don’t have time to make it, this recipe will save the day! So, give it a try and let us know how you like it!
