Vegetarian Recipes

Homemade Falafel

https://www.loveandlemons.com/falafel/

Falafel was the food that first convinced me that a vegetarian diet could be filled with bold, exciting flavors. It’s crispy, rich, and satisfying, packed with fresh herbs and aromatic spices. Stuffed into pita bread with veggies, tahini sauce, and a pop of pickled onions, it’s insanely flavorful, making it one of my all-time favorite foods.

I included a recipe for red lentil falafel in Love and Lemons Every Day (one of my favorites in the book!), but never before have I shared a classic chickpea-based falafel recipe. Without a doubt, it was worth the wait. I’m picky about my falafel, but these little guys check all the boxes: they’re crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, and loaded with herbs and spices.

What is Falafel?

If you’re thinking, “Wait. What is falafel?”, you’re in for a treat. A traditional Middle Eastern dish, falafel are fried balls of ground chickpeas, which often include parsley, cilantro, and spices such as cumin and coriander. It’s a popular street food throughout the Middle East and Europe (if you’re ever in Paris, make a stop at L’As du Fallafel), where you can find it stuffed into pitas brimming with fresh veggies, herbs, sauces, and pickles.

I’m not a fan of working with a big vat of hot oil at home, so instead of deep frying my falafel, I bake it. It comes out deliciously crisp just the same, and it’s a little lighter than the traditional version. This one is my favorite falafel recipe to date, and I hope you fall for it too!

My Falafel Recipe Ingredients

To make my baked falafel recipe, you need these key ingredients:

Uncooked dried chickpeas. I use soaked dried chickpeas, not canned chickpeas, in this recipe. Soak your dried chickpeas overnight before beginning the recipe, and then blend the soaked chickpeas into the herby falafel mixture.
Shallot and garlic. Together, they add a delicious bite! You can also use yellow onion in place of the shallot.
Lemon zest. It’s not traditional, but I love the lemon’s zesty brightness in these patties.
Cumin, coriander, and cayenne. This spice blend is warm and aromatic, and the cayenne adds a little heat.
Sea salt. It punches up the rich flavor of the herbs and spices.
Baking powder. Just a pinch makes these balls nice and puffy in the oven.
Cilantro and parsley. I use a good amount to make my falafel bright green and flavorful. There’s no need to toss the herb stems for this recipe – blend them straight into the falafel mixture along with the leaves!
Extra-virgin olive oil. I add a tablespoon to the chickpea mixture for richness. In addition, I drizzle the patties with oil before baking so they become nice and crisp in the oven.

How to Make Falafel

Once you’ve soaked your chickpeas, this recipe is easy to make! Here’s what you need to do:

Blend the ingredients. Add the falafel ingredients to a food processor, and pulse until well combined, but not pureed.
Form the falafel balls. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop and your hands to gently form the mixture into 12 to 15 thick patties.
Bake! Drizzle the little cakes with olive oil, and bake, flipping halfway, until they’re golden brown and crisp.
Serve, and enjoy! Stuff the cooked falafel into pitas with your favorite fixings, top them onto a salad, or serve them over a bowl. Then, dig in!

Best Baked Falafel Tips

Used dried, NOT canned chickpeas. The perfect cakey, crumbly falafel texture comes from dried chickpeas that have been soaked, but not cooked, before being blended into patties. Make sure to soak dried chickpeas ahead of time to make this recipe. Substituting cooked, canned chickpeas does not work here – your falafel will turn out wet and mushy.
Drizzle the patties generously with oil before baking. Because this falafel recipe is baked, not fried, it automatically uses much less oil than traditional falafel. In order to get your patties nicely crisp and golden brown in the oven, don’t hesitate give them a generous drizzle of oil before baking. They’ll come out delicious and still be lighter than classic falafel.
Don’t pack your patties too tightly. It’s tempting to really pack falafel patties together tightly, but doing so will make them tough and dense. Form the falafel balls gently, and if your mixture isn’t holding together well, pop it in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes before shaping and baking the patties.
Make a double batch, and freeze the extras. These guys keep well in the freezer, so go ahead and make a double batch to have on hand for salads, bowls, or wraps. To reheat frozen falafel, pop them in a 400-degree oven for 10 minutes, until they’re crisp and heated through.

Falafel Serving Suggestions

I love stuffing my falafel into a pita sandwich loaded with chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, fresh herbs, hummus, pickled onions, and generous drizzles of tahini sauce. To customize your pita sandwich, you could easily swap another Middle Eastern sauce like tzatziki or baba ganoush for the hummus, or drizzle it with cilantro lime dressing instead of (or in addition to) the tahini.

If you’re not in the mood for pita, top your falafel onto a big salad along with some crispy roasted chickpeas, or serve it over a bed of quinoa, cilantro lime rice, or cauliflower rice with lots of fresh veggies.

And if you’re in the market for a side dish, any of these recipes would be excellent with this baked falafel:

Falafel

Author: Jeanine Donofrio

Recipe type: Main dish

1 cup uncooked chickpeas, soaked overnight, drained, rinsed, and patted dry* (see note)
½ cup chopped shallot or yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
¾ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and stems
1 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves and stems
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large food processor, place the chickpeas (they will be plump but still raw at this point), shallot, garlic, lemon zest, cumin, coriander, salt, cayenne, baking powder, cilantro, parsley, and olive oil. Pulse until well combined but not pureed. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Use a 2-tablespoon scoop and your hands to form the mixture into 12 to 15 thick patties (be careful not to pack them too tight or your falafel will be dense). Place the patties on the baking sheet. Drizzle generously with olive oil (this is the key to making these moist and crisp since we’re not frying) and bake for 14 minutes. Flip and bake for 10 to 12 minutes more or until golden brown and crisp on the outside. During the last few minutes of baking, wrap the pita in foil and warm in the oven.
Assemble pitas with a slather of hummus, diced veggies, falafel, herbs, pickled red onions, and generous drizzles of tahini sauce.

*Canned chickpeas cannot be substituted in this recipe or your falafel will turn out mushy.

Vegetarian Recipes

Easy Homemade Falafel

This Easy Homemade Falafel recipe is one of the first recipes I shared on here after getting my food processor 15 years ago, and it’s stood the test of time as a reader favorite. These protein-packed, budget-friendly vegan patties are perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, and they’re so easy to make at home! Traditionally, they’re deep-fried, which gives them a wonderfully crispy exterior with a soft, warm center. I have an irrational fear of deep-frying, so I shallow-fry my falafels in a skillet. They still turn out crispy and delicious, but with less mess and hassle!

What is Falafel?

If you’ve never had falafel before, they’re a classic street food originating from the Middle East. These little fried patties are made of mashed beans (fava or chickpeas/garbanzo) mixed with tons of fresh herbs and spices, like parsley, cilantro, and cumin. They’re browned and crispy on the outside, with a soft center. If you’re veggie, vegan, or trying to reduce your meat intake, homemade falafel is the perfect protein-packed alternative!

My version of this tasty treat is definitely not authentic, as I use canned chickpeas and flour. But if you’d like to try your hand at making authentic falafel or read more about the culture and history behind them, check out this recipe from The Mediterranean Dish.

“These are hands down the best falafels I’ve ever had! They’re easy to make, crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside and taste fantastic! I also made your hummus & Greek yogurt sauce to go with them. Stuffed a pita with falafels, hummus, fresh greens and topped with the sauce, All I can say is Wow! Thank you!!”

MaryBeth

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy falafel recipe:

Canned Chickpeas: I always use canned chickpeas because they’re quick (no soaking required), readily accessible, and CHEAP. You can use dried chickpeas if you like; just be sure to soak them overnight and prepare about 3 cups worth (which is equivalent to two standard 15-ounce cans).
Flour: I use all-purpose flour to help bind the mixture together. You can also use chickpea or garbanzo bean flour to keep this recipe gluten-free.
Baking Powder: The combination of canned chickpeas and flour can make the patties quite dense, so I add some baking powder to offset this. It helps create a lighter texture on the inside while still maintaining crispiness on the outside.
Red Onion: Adds a nice bite and texture. Any color onion will work here, but I love the flavor of red onions in this recipe.
Fresh Parsley and Cilantro: These add a fresh and vibrant flavor. Don’t like cilantro? No problem—just use extra parsley. I don’t recommend substituting dried herbs here, as they won’t taste the same fresh.
Garlic: I use four whole cloves, so the garlic flavor certainly isn’t lacking here!
Cooking Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil suitable for frying. Some options include avocado oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil.
Seasonings: Salt, cayenne pepper, and cumin add flavor with a little kick of heat. Feel free to reduce the amount of cayenne or omit it altogether if you’re sensitive to spice.

Can I Bake Them?

I always get questions about whether you can bake falafel, and I really wouldn’t suggest it. In my testing, I found they don’t get a nice brown crispy exterior like you do with frying, and they can get quite dry. Some readers have had success using the air fryer for about 15 minutes at around 370°F, but I haven’t personally tested this method.

Process the ingredients in batches if you have a smaller food processor. This recipe makes a fairly big batch of falafel mix, and I don’t want you to overwork your food processor! If you have a smaller one, divide the ingredients and process in batches.
Avoid big chunks of ingredients. I like my patties to have some texture, but big pieces of onion or chickpeas can cause them to fall apart when frying. Make sure to process the ingredients until a chunky paste forms.
Don’t skip the flour, and add it in batches. The mixture will hold together without adding flour, but as soon as you cook it, I can almost guarantee the patties will fall apart. You want to add the flour in batches (starting with 2 tablespoons) until the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape when formed into balls.
Let the mixture rest. This rehydrates the flour, enhances the flavor, and makes it easier to form into patties. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking. You can even leave it overnight and fry them the next day.
Make sure the oil is hot. One reason I prefer pan-frying over deep frying is because I don’t have to check the oil temperature constantly. However, it’s still important to make sure the oil is hot. It should be hot and shimmering but not smoking. The hot oil immediately creates a crispy crust on the patties when they hit the pan (another trick to help them hold their shape).
Don’t overcrowd the pan. Adding too many patties to the hot oil will cause the temperature to drop and affect the cooking time and texture. I like to cook them in batches, leaving enough space between each one for even cooking.

How to Serve Falafel

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of falafel wraps or flatbread with fresh greens and tahini sauce. But recently, I’ve been making hummus bowls from our white bean hummus, whatever raw veggies I have in the fridge (usually cucumber, tomatoes, and bell peppers), pickles or pickled red onions, and these yummy little patties. Or, to please a crowd, I love to create a mezze platter with several dips, like tzatziki sauce or baba ganoush, marinated olives, pita bread, crudités, and homemade falafel! They’d also add a delicious, garlicky flavor to just about any salad, but I like one with a tangy dressing, like our Greek salad.

Storage, Freezing, & Reheating

I usually freeze some of the uncooked patties as a grab-and-go option for busy nights. I form the mixture, but instead of frying, I freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until solid and transfer to a freezer bag. Because they’re only small, you can pan-fry them from frozen without thawing.

Any leftovers (after cooking) should be cooled and stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, making them great for meal prep! You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven (best for maintaining the crispy exterior) if desired.

Homemade falafel on top of some hummus with salad.

Homemade Falafel Recipe

This Homemade Falafel recipe packs chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices into a flavorful, Middle-Eastern-inspired patty that’s quick, easy, and delicious.

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine Middle-Eastern

Total Cost ($3.08 recipe / $0.16 serving)

Prep Time 1 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 1 40

Servings falafel

Calories 108kcal

Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

Food Processor
Baking Sheet
Parchment Paper

Ingredients

2 15 oz. cans chickpeas $1.72
¼ red onion $0.26
1 handful fresh parsley, about ¼ bunch $0.26
1 handful fresh cilantro, about ¼ bunch $0.17
4 cloves garlic $0.12
1 tsp salt $0.01
½ tsp cayenne pepper $0.13
1 tsp ground cumin $0.08
1 tsp baking powder $0.04
½ cup flour* $0.07
¼ cup neutral cooking oil for frying $0.22

Instructions

Rinse and drain the chickpeas in a colander. Add the chickpeas to a food processor with the red onion, parsley, cilantro, salt, cayenne, garlic and cumin.
Process the mixture until it forms a chunky paste. A little texture to the mixture is usually desirable. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to make sure the mixture is an even texture.
Place the mixture into a bowl and add the baking powder. Begin adding flour, 2 Tbsp at a time, until the mixture becomes cohesive enough to form into patties and not stick to your hands. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.
Using a small measuring cup or scoop (about 1/8th cup or 2 Tbsp), form the mixture into small patties.
If freezing the patties for later, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet so they can freeze without sticking together. The patties can be transferred to an air-tight container or freezer bag for long-term storage once they have frozen through.
To cook the fresh or frozen patties, heat oil in a skillet (or pot if deep frying) until very hot and shimmering, but not smoking. Cook the patties on each side until deep golden brown and crispy.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Chickpea or garbanzo bean flour will give the best flavor and texture, but all-purpose flour can be used in its place.

Nutrition

Homemade falafel in a flatbread with salad.

How to Make Falafel — Step By Step Photos

Overhead view of the ingredients for homemade falafel.

Gather all your ingredients.

Chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, diced red onion, garlic cloves, cumin, cayenne, and salt in a food processor.

Rinse and drain two 15oz. cans of chickpeas (or about 3 cups if cooked from dry) in a colander. Add the chickpeas to a food processor along with a large handful of parsley, a large handful of cilantro, 1/4 of a red onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cayenne, and 1 tsp salt.

Pulse the mixture until you have a chunky paste. Chunks add great texture, but too many will keep the mixture from holding its shape in a patty. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.

Falafel mix in a mixing bowl with flour added.

Stir 1 tsp baking powder into the chickpea mixture. Then begin adding flour, 2 Tbsp at a time, until the paste is dry enough to form patties and not stick to your hands. I only used 1/4 cup of flour when I made these recently! Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors blend.

Shaped falafel patties on a baking sheet.

Scoop the mixture into about 2 Tbsp portions and shape into small patties.

Falafel patties in a zip loc bag for freezing.

If you’d like to freeze your falafel, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, then place them in the freezer. Once frozen solid, you can transfer them to a freezer bag for long-term storage. I got 19 falafel with a 2 Tbsp scoop. I cooked some immediately and froze the rest.

Three falafel patties frying in a pan of oil.

To cook, add enough oil to a skillet to completely cover the surface (one of my favorite pans). Heat over medium until the oil is hot and shimmering. Add the formed patties and cook on each side until brown and crispy.