As a vegan, falafel is one of my go-to restaurant orders because it’s naturally plant-based. There’s no awkward, “Yes, I’ll order this, but can you make it without butter? And cheese?” or “Is this soup made with beef stock?” because falafel is made with chickpeas, herbs, and spices. No hidden butter or beef stock! And falafel is so good. It has that irresistibly crispy exterior, the pillowy soft inside, and it’s delicious paired with some of my other favourite foods—namely, fluffy pita bread and tahini sauce. But up until now, I could never get homemade falafel to taste like the kind they serve at restaurants. Well, I’ve figured out the secret: it’s deep frying. I know, a lot of people have an aversion to deep frying. I get it! And for you, there’s a baked version of this falafel recipe below. But if you’re game for frying the falafel, you will get perfect restaurant-style falafel at home. Crispy, golden brown, soft on the inside, and just all around amazing. Obviously, we’re not going to be deep frying every meal every day of the week, but I believe in everything (well, everything except meat and dairy) in moderation, and like my homemade vegan donuts, this falafel recipe is totally worth it.
Notes on Ingredients
Please note that this is important information on the ingredients and instructions and the FULL recipe with amounts and details can be found DOWN BELOW (scroll to it) in the recipe card.
Dried chickpeas – Soak them in water for 24 hours, then rinse them before starting the recipe.Parsley, mint, or cilantro – You can choose one, two, or use all three. Scallions – Some recipes call for regular onions, but I prefer green onions because they have a milder flavour that doesn’t compete with the herbs and spices.GarlicGround cuminGround coriander Sea saltBlack pepper Baking soda – This is what makes the inside of the falafel soft and fluffy.Lemon juiceWaterCanola, grapeseed, or peanut oil – You’ll need to fill a deep saucepan or Dutch oven with 2 to 3 inches, so the exact amount depends on the size and shape of your cooking vessel.
Why Can’t You Use Canned Chickpeas for Falafel?
Canned chickpeas are a great convenience, but they shouldn’t be used when making homemade falafel! Because they’re pre-cooked, most of the starch is released into the cooking liquid, which means they won’t hold together as well when cooked (again) in the falafel. In addition, canned chickpeas have that distinct canned bean flavour to them, and that will come through in the finished falafel. Using dried chickpeas tastes much better, too.
How to Make Homemade Falafel
Ready to make falafel as good as your favourite restaurant’s? Here’s what you’ll need to do. Grind the chickpeas. Place the soaked chickpeas in your food processor. Turn it on and process until the mixture resembles a coarse crumb—it should have the texture of homemade breadcrumbs. Transfer the ground chickpeas into a large bowl. Make the seasoning mixture. Add the fresh herbs, scallions, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, baking soda, and lemon juice to the food processor. Process until the mixture is smooth. Finish the falafel mixture. Add the chickpeas back into the food processor. Stir them into the herb mixture, then turn on the food processor. You’ll want to let it run until the falafel mixture is light green in color, with only small bits of herbs, and the mixture comes together when you pinch it. If it doesn’t hold together, add water one tablespoon at a time. Season to taste. Heat the oil. Add the oil to a deep saucepan or Dutch oven, filling it 2 to 3 inches deep. Turn the stove to medium-high and heat the oil until it reaches about 350ºF. Cook the falafel. Use clean hands to shape the falafel mixture into balls (or slightly flattened balls) and carefully place them in the oil. Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, or until the outside is crispy and browned. Cool and serve. Set the cooked falafel on a paper-towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, then serve them with your favourite bread, sauces, and accompaniments.
How Can I Bake This Falafel Recipe?
As mentioned above, fried falafel is crispier and fluffier than baked falafel, but if you prefer to make it in the oven, you can. Preheat your oven to 375ºF. Set the falafel on a sheet pan and generously spray them with cooking spray or an oil mister. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time to make sure both sides brown.
Tips for Success
Here are some tips for perfect restaurant-style homemade falafel:
Don’t over-process the chickpeas. You want them to be coarsely ground, not a paste. Over-processing will make for dense falafel. Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature. They’re not expensive, and they’re totally worth it when it comes to deep frying. If the oil is too hot, foods won’t cook all the way through, but if it’s not hot enough, food will absorb the oil and get greasy.Don’t over-crowd the pan when frying. You want each falafel to have plenty of room to cook, so don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry them in batches if necessary.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Homemade falafel is best when served hot and fresh. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350ºF oven until warmed through, or warm it up in the microwave.
Can This Recipe Be Frozen?
Yes, this recipe can be frozen. I recommend freezing the uncooked falafel balls or patties on a baking sheet, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag once they’re frozen solid. To cook, thaw the falafel overnight in the fridge, then cook according to the recipe instructions. If you want to freeze leftover cooked falafel, you can do that too, but as discussed above, it really is best eaten fresh, so if you want to freeze falafel for future meals, I definitely recommend freezing it uncooked vs. cooking it first.
5 Ways to Eat Homemade Falafel
There are way more than five, of course, but these are my favourites:
Make falafel wraps with hummus and/or tahini.Add them to a bed of greens with pita chips and tahini dressing for a falafel salad.Pair them with couscous or rice, kalamata olives or Middle Eastern-style pickles, hummus, and baba ghanoush for falafel meal bowls.Shape the falafel mixture into burger patties; bake them and make falafel burgers.Cut or crumble them into pieces and fold them into warm tortillas for falafel tacos.
Enjoy friends! If you make this homemade falafel recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
