Description
Crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside falafel tucked into warm pita bread with fresh veggies, tangy pickled onions, creamy tahini, and a burst of Mediterranean flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp flour (or chickpea flour)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 4 pita breads
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes or sliced tomatoes
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
- 1/2 cup tahini sauce
- Kalamata olives (optional side)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas. Pat dry with a towel.
- In a food processor, combine chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, lemon juice, and baking soda. Blend until it becomes a coarse paste.
- Add flour and pulse again until the mixture holds together. Let rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
- Form the mixture into small balls or patties using your hands or a falafel scoop.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Fry falafel in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until deep golden brown and crisp.
- Drain falafel on a paper towel-lined plate.
- To assemble, warm the pita breads. Fill each with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, pickled onions, and 3–4 falafel balls.
- Drizzle generously with tahini sauce and serve with olives on the side.
Notes
- Soaking the chickpeas overnight is crucial for texture; canned chickpeas are not recommended.
- Refrigerating the falafel mix helps it hold together better during frying.
- You can bake or air-fry the falafel for a healthier version.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pita pocket
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
