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Homemade Falafel

Make this popular middle eastern food at home with this fresh and delicious homemade falafel recipe.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Soaking time 18 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ whole red onion
  • ½ cup parsley loosely packed
  • ½ cup cilantro loosely packed
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander
  • oil for frying or less for baking

Method
 

Falafel
  1. Pour the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Add ½ teaspoon baking soda and soak for 18-24 hours.
  2. After 18-24 hours, the chickpeas should look plump and about 3x their original size. Strain them and add to the bowl of a food processor.
  3. Add in the onion, garlic, fresh herbs, and spices. Blend until a coarse puree is formed. Scoop the falafel out with a heaping Tbsp. Form into balls for frying or flatter patties for baking. While the oven is heating up for baking, or the oil is heating up for frying, place the falafel balls in the fridge.
  4. Continue with your preferred cooking method below.
Frying
  1. Fill a medium saucepan up with about 2" of oil. Heat the oil to 350 F on meidum0hihg heat, until it bubbles softly. Using a slotted spoon, drop the falafel in the hot oil, cooking for about 2 minutes per side. remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel lined pan or plate.
Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Pour ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon of olive oil on the bottom of a rimmed baking sheet. Turn until the pan is coated in the oil. Place the falafels on the oiled pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the falafels are deeply golden on both sides.