Around the world, falafel is as common on menus as burgers are. It’s an easy, versatile, and satisfying meal. Serve as an appetizer, roll into a pita sandwich, atop a salad or a bed of rice with roasted vegetables.
Greek Garden Organic olive oil is smooth and well-balanced with a light finish to enhance the flavors of dishes such as hummus, Tzatziki and falafel. Using olive oil is a healthier option for frying, as it creates a thick crust that stops the oil from being absorbed into the food. Olive oil can be re-used 4-5 times and increases in volume when reheated, requiring less oil for frying.
Ingredients
For the Falafel
- 2 cups chickpeas, cooked and drained
- 1 small onion peeled, cut in half
- ½ cup chopped fresh curly parsley
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- 2 cups olive oil for frying (try AMORIS Every Day)
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped cucumber
- small handful fresh curly parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tbsp olive oil (tryGreek Garden Organic)
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Make Tzatziki ahead. Place cucumber, parsley, and garlic into a small food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to small bowl. Mix in sour cream, lemon and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until falafel is ready.
- In food processor, combine all falafel ingredients except sesame seeds and oil.Pulse until pasty and easy to roll into small 1.5 inch balls. Set falafel balls aside on a plate.
- In a deep frying pan, heat the oil on medium-high. When you think it might be hot enough, drop a small piece of falafel batter into the oil. It should sizzle immediately, then turn golden brown in less than a minute. If it’s smoking, turn the heat down. If it doesn’t sizzle, wait a little longer or turn up the heat.
- Place sesame seeds in a small bowl and roll each falafel ball in the seeds. (This will make the falafel coating crunchier and add a nutty flavor.)
- Pick up a falafel ball with a non-plastic utensil and gently lower it into the oil. Repeat with a few more balls–don’t crowd the pan. Cook each side until dark brown, 1-2 minutes then let drain on paper towels.
Makes 20 small falafel.
FAQs
Make a mixture of a little bit of olive oil and the crumbles. Before putting the falafel in the frying pan, dip them in this mixture. Because the crumbles form a bit of a crust, it's easier to flip them over without them falling apart.
Is fried falafel healthy? ›
This meal is high in fat with almost half its calories (47 per cent) coming from fat. However, if it's fried in a healthy oil (such olive, canola or grape seed oil) and you limit your intake of fat for the rest of the day, falafel definitely fits into a healthy diet.
What oil is best for frying falafel? ›
Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. This will give the falafel the characteristic taste of the Mediterranean. As long as you fry on a medium heat, the oil will be good for you. You just don't want the oil to smoke so be careful not to get it too hot.
How to tell if falafel is cooked? ›
A cooked falafel is supposed to be crispy and crunchy on the outside, and soft on the inside. Due to variations in preparation methods and recipes - some falafels are mushier and with more moisture, while others are a bit more on the dry side.
What is the best binder for falafel? ›
Many recipes use egg or flour as a binding agent. I prefer to chill falafel instead, as it keeps them nice and airy with no added filler. Don't skip the chill! It's necessary to ensure they maintain their shape.
Is it better to deep fry or air fry falafel? ›
Or you could air fry them.
It's true that the falafel cooked this way doesn't get 100 percent as crispy as a traditional deep fry, but it's very close. But, the easy clean-up and use of less oil make it totally worth it.
What does falafel do to the body? ›
Falafel is a Middle Eastern dish made from chickpeas or fava beans. Provides essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Health benefits may include weight management, heart health support, and management of anemia.
Is falafel OK for weight loss? ›
Falafel is low in calories and fat. When eaten as part of a healthy diet, it can aid with weight loss or weight maintenance. One of the healthiest ways to eat falafel is in a buddha bowl with plenty of healthy greens and veggies.
Why can't you use cooked chickpeas for falafel? ›
Turns out that dried chickpeas are essential to good falafel. See, canned chickpeas have already been cooked. Starch molecules within them have already burst and released their sticky contents, much of which get washed away in the cooking liquid, leaving the remaining chickpeas with very little clinging power.
Can you reuse oil after frying falafel? ›
To reuse frying oil, you simply need to strain it and store in a lidded container in a cool, dark place. Once you're done frying, let the oil cool completely in the frying vessel.
Hummus is a classic falafel pairing that is traditional across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Egypt and Israel. Most traditional eateries serve hummus and falafel with a tahini sauce. This is traditionally known as a “falafel plate” and is not unlike a mezze you'll most likely have tried yourself!
Should I freeze falafel before frying? ›
You can freeze the falafel pre- or post-frying. Either way, you'll need to arrange them on a baking tray in a single layer, freeze until solid, then pack into food bags and label.
Why does my falafel fall apart when I fry it? ›
A few rough bits are completely fine. If the mixture is too wet, the falafel has a tendency to fall apart when being fried so please pat dry the ingredients before using them. If you find the mixture is too wet, simply add little more breadcrumbs.
Can you eat falafel raw? ›
As you know Falafel is made from soaked raw chickpeas, which is indigestible to the human body causing stomach pain, gas, and other adverse symptoms. Raw chickpeas have antinutrients and toxins that can harm your digestive system, from discomfort to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Can you eat falafel by itself? ›
Falafel balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a meze tray (assortment of appetizers). Falafel is eaten throughout the Middle East and is a common street food.
How do you make falafel stick together? ›
If they still won't hold together, you can try adding 2-3 tbsp of flour or chickpea flour to the mixture. If they still won't hold, add 1-2 eggs to the mix. This should fix any issues you are having. Before frying my first batch of falafel, I like to fry a test one in the center of the pan.
How do you keep breading from falling off when frying? ›
Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.
Why add baking powder to falafel? ›
– Baking powder: this is what gives falafel an airy, fluffy texture (many recipes skip this, causing the falafel to come out too dense.)
