Falafels are a popular Middle Eastern food made from ground chickpeas that are blended with herbs, spices, and sometimes dried fruits. Falafel is usually deep-fried and served as an appetizer or main course.
Falafelrecipe or falafel recipe can be found in many restaurants all around the world. It is easy to make at home and even easier to enjoy. So if you’re looking for a delicious and healthy dish to serve at your next dinner party, try one of our classic falafel recipes!
What is Falafel
In Middle Eastern cooking, falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty-shaped fritter composed of ground chickpeas, broad beans, or both (particularly in Levantine and Egyptian cuisines). It’s debatable where falafel first appeared. The dish probably came from Egypt.
Eating falafel is healthy. Falafel is a wonderful source of fiber and protein and is high in several micronutrients. As a result, it may aid in reducing hunger, promoting healthy blood sugar levels, and reducing your chance of developing chronic diseases.
Falafel is a Middle Eastern classic that is best known for its chickpea balls. Originating in Egypt, it has since become a popular food all over the world. Falafel is typically served as an appetizer or snack, but you can also make it into a full meal.
There are many variations of falafel – so experiment to find your favorite recipe! Falafel is a great way to enjoy a healthy and filling meal that will leave you feeling satisfied long after eating it. So what are you waiting for? Give falafel a try today!
Classic FalafelRecipes You Will Love
Falafel is a vegan food staple that is popular throughout the world, including in the United States. These chickpea balls are perfect for a quick and easy meal. They also have great taste. They can be served as a sandwich or an appetizer, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. And don’t forget to enjoy the classic falafel flavors like tahini, garlic, and cumin. Make sure to serve them fresh and hot from the oven!
Roasted Falafel With Tahini Sauce
Roasting chickpeas is a great way to flavor them and make them crispy. Tahini sauce adds a creamy touch and spices it up just enough. Serve these falafel balls on fresh pita bread for an appetizer or main course.
Spicy Falafel With Cumin-Garlic Sauce
These vegan balls are perfect for spice lovers! Garlic and cumin give the falafels plenty of flavor, while olive oil makes them golden brown and delicious. These balls can be served as an appetizer or a main course.
Falafel Balls With Traditional Yogurt sauce
Falafel can be served in many different ways, but this classic yogurt sauce is one of our favorites. Garlic and cilantro give the falafel a distinctive flavor, while chickpea flour gives them a nice texture. Serve these vegan balls warm with pita bread for an easy and delicious meal.
Roasted Chickpea Falafels With Tahini Dressing
These falafels are perfect as an easy weeknight dinner – they take only 20 minutes to prepare and are packed with flavor. Tahini dressing gives the falafel a delicious, creamy texture. Serve them warm on pita bread or alongside some vegan tzatziki sauce for an extra touch of zing.
Smoky Falafel With Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Smoked paprika gives these falafels a beautiful smoky flavor that is perfect for those who love spice. These chickpea balls can be served as an appetizer or the main course—make sure to pair them with vegan cucumber yogurt sauce for the perfect balance of flavors and textures!
Falafel Balls With Tahini Sauce and Cucumber Yogurt
These falafels are a great vegan recipe for summer, as they are light and refreshing. Tahini sauce gives the falafel a delicious flavor, while fresh cilantro adds some of its characteristic flavors to the mix.
Cucumber yogurt completes the perfect balance of flavors in this recipe. Serve these vegan balls warm with pita bread for an easy and delicious meal.
Spicy Falafel Balls With Tahini Sauce
These falafels are a great vegan recipe for those who love spice. Hot red pepper flakes give these chickpea balls a delicious, spicy flavor. Tahini sauce gives the falafel their distinctive flavor, while chickpea flour gives them a nice texture. Serve these vegan balls warm with pita bread for an easy and delicious meal.
How to Make Classic Falafel Without Any of the Nasty Oils or Deep-frying
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chickpeas, dried
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
For the falafel balls:
1 egg yolk beaten with 2 tablespoons water
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 6-8 fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped (optional)
Instructions:
- Soak chickpeas overnight in plenty of water to cover them. Drain and place in a food processor with onion, garlic, cumin powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse paste. Pour mixture into a bowl and mix in egg yolk until well combined (you may want to use your hands here).
- Knead the falafel mixture by hand for 10 minutes or until it is smooth (it will be sticky). Cover the falafel mixture with cling film or put it into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 12 hours.
- To make falafel balls: mix chickpea mixture with egg yolk until well combined and sticky (you may want to use your hands here). Shape the mixture into 20-30 golf ball-sized lumps and place them on a floured surface. Gently roll each lump in your hands so that it forms a smooth ball. Place falafel balls on a greased baking sheet, Epstein pita bread, or cucumber slices (if using), and cover with tahini sauce as desired. Serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some variations you can make on falafel, including vegan and gluten-free varieties?
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern food that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Here are falafel recipes that you will love:
- Classic falafel balls
- spinach, and feta falafels
- chickpea and tahini falafels
- roasted cauliflower and tahini falafels
- Beetroot Tahini Falafels.
All of these falafel recipes are vegan, and gluten-free, and can also be made without any meat or eggs.
For a gluten-free falafel recipe, make sure to use certified GF flour when making the dough. Additionally, there are many other variations on falafel that you can try out, like spiced falafel balls, chickpea falafels with tahini sauce, vegan tahini chickpeas, black bean falafels with avocado sauce, and more!
Which fruits work best as toppings for falafel?
A personal preference in choosing which fruits to serve with your falafel However, some people enjoy them topped with tzatziki sauce, mango, papaya, or pineapple. This is because the sweetness of these fruits complements the flavors of falafel perfectly. You can also enjoy falafel as is by adding chopped tomatoes and onions to it.
How should falafel be stored?
Falafel is best eaten fresh, but it can also be frozen and reheated later. Simply place the falafel patties on a baking sheet and freeze for several hours or overnight. Once they are solidified, you can THEN microwave them for a quick and easy meal!
Conclusion
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern food that is made from ground chickpeas. These chickpea balls are deep-fried until they are golden brown and then served with a variety of toppings. If you’re looking for an easy and delicious falafel recipe, check out our blog below! We guarantee you’ll love our classic falafel recipes!
