Description
Golden, crispy-on-the-outside and tender-on-the-inside falafel made from fresh herbs and chickpeas, served with a creamy tahini sauce—perfect as a snack, wrap filling, or mezze plate favorite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 cup fresh parsley, tightly packed
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, tightly packed
- 1/2 cup fresh dill
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1/3 cup tahini
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3–4 tablespoons water (to thin)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak chickpeas in a large bowl of water overnight (at least 12 hours), then drain thoroughly.
- In a food processor, combine chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, dill, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Blend until coarse, like sand—not a paste.
- Add baking soda and flour, pulsing a few more times. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Form falafel mixture into small balls or patties using damp hands or a scoop.
- Fry falafel in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and crisp.
- Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- For tahini sauce, whisk tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Add water gradually to reach a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Serve warm falafel with tahini sauce and chopped parsley.
Notes
- Do not use canned chickpeas; they are too soft and will not hold together.
- Refrigerating the mixture helps it firm up and hold shape while frying.
- Use chickpea flour for a gluten-free version.
- Serve with pita, pickled vegetables, or a salad for a full meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 falafel with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
