Quick falafel
I always seem to have the same issue with falafel – they can be soooo dryyyy. Usually I need a glass of water to get them down, and it really puts me off ever ordering them. So I thought it was time to make my own, and to make them how I like them – soft and moist (sorry) in the middle, and perfectly crispy on the edge. Because these quick falafel are much less dry inside, they’re not quite as resilient as normal falafel – you do need to handle them a little carefully, but the worst that will happen is they’ll lose their shape. They’ll still taste amazing! So don’t be scared.
I deliberately made it so that this recipe requires absolutely no pre-cooking whatsoever (which immediately turns me on to a recipe, so I’m hoping it will for you as well…). You just need to blitz up some onion and garlic in a food processor, add your tinned (i.e. already cooked) chickpeas and some spices, and mix it all up again.
Falafel is often deep fried, but in an effort to remain somewhat healthy, I fried mine in just a couple of tablespoons of oil. If you dip your falafel in flour first, they still get nice and crispy on the outside, so I don’t feel you lose out on much!
You can serve these quick falafel however you like – I chose to stuff them into a pitta bread with some lettuce and salsa. It’s also pretty common to serve falafel with tzatziki or hummus, so take your pick – though personally I’ve always found hummus a very bizarre addition, since you’re literally smearing chickpeas onto chickpeas.
I enjoyed these quick falafel both hot and cold, so they’re great for popping in a lunchbox too (just leave your salsa off until just before eating!).
Quick falafel
Ingredients
- 1 small onion cut into a few chunks
- 1 clove garlic
- 400 g tin chickpeas 240g when drained, drained
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 4 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
- Salt
- Black pepper
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 2 tbsp oil
- To serve: pitta bread optional, lettuce, salsa, tzatziki
Instructions
- Place the onion and garlic in a food processor, and blitz for a few seconds until a paste is formed. Add the drained chickpeas and spices, and blitz again until fairly smooth.
- Add the chopped coriander, and mix by hand until well combined (or blitz again in the food processor if you prefer - I just wanted the coriander to remain visible). Season well.
- With clean hands, shape the mixture into a few small balls (I made 6), and press them down gently into patty-shapes. Spoon the flour onto a small plate, and gently coat each patty in the flour (don’t worry if you don’t manage to coat the sides - just the two flat sides will do).
- Heat the oil in a frying pan, and add the patties. Cook on a medium heat for around 4 minutes each side, until golden brown and crispy.
- If desired, serve in a pitta bread with lettuce and a cooling sauce (e.g. salsa or tzatziki).
Like chickpeas? Try my pizza roasted chickpeas!
This was my first attempt at making falafel and it worked really well. Nice texture, and simple yet delicious! Will definitely be making again soon as I have a few bags of chickpeas in the freezer.
These Falafels are calling my name Becca:)
I love their simplicity and also the fact that you need just 2 tablespoons of olive oil and still they turn out moist.
Can’t wait to try them soon.
I tried this and they were so runny. Blending onions and garlic did not make a paste at all. I’m sure it was something I’m missing or doing wrong, but I had to throw it away. Can you not use a low speed on a Vitamix when blending maybe?
Hi Beth, I’m sorry this recipe didn’t work for you! :( I think it might be that you used a blender instead of a food processor – you don’t want the onions to become overly processed, just roughly blitzed into a paste. If you don’t have a food processor, maybe just try chopping them finely by hand :)
I think you’re right- I over processed!! Thank you for the guidance-I’ll give it another go :)
I hope it works out better for you next time :) If not, I have plenty of other veggie burger type recipes that you might like – try these ones, you can process them as much as you like ;) http://www.amuse-your-bouche.com/nutty-pumpkin-seed-baked-veggie-burgers
I am going to try this tonight. Looks and sounds really good. Going to make it like a hamburger with cucumber sauce. Should be good. Fingers crossed.
Hope you like it Dawn, let me know how you got on :)
Just made these for lunch– PERFECT. :-) Thanks much!
Glad you enjoyed them, thanks Jess! :)
can I make these with dried hickpeas that I soaked and cooked which are usually less soft
I don’t see why not! :)
Hi there! I made these last night and my husband and I fell in love with them. Made them again this afternoon for an appetizer for a small gathering so I decided to make them smaller in size. Drizzled them with a basil cashew cream and they were fantastic. Thanks for such a great recipe!!!
Yay I’m so glad you like them Melinda, the basil cashew cream sounds amazing! Thanks for your message! :)
These look yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Falafels are one of my favorite quick meals, thanks for sharing this recipe!
Hi! These look amazing & I really want to make these as soon as possible but, I have a couple issues. I do not have a blender or a food processor at the current moment it’s being shipped & will not arrive until later this week. Any suggestions on how to make these with out either item on hand would be awesome! Thank you!!
Hi Kennis, you could try mashing everything together by hand (with the back of a fork) and chopping the onion and garlic super tiny – but to be honest I’m not sure how well it would all stick together. If your food processor will be arriving later this week I’d say it’s probably worth waiting a few days!
Your falafel look delicious and not in the least bit dry – I too make these at home, such comfort food especially with something spicy to dip them in.
Oh my goodness, I’m definitely trying this out! I love falafel but always feel like it takes too much effort. This seems way simple! PINNING!
Hi Becca! I am so excited to have found your falafel recipe! I am completely inspired. I recently started making tzatziki and am in love with it so your recipe is timely for me! Your photos are beautiful! I’m looking forward to this! Thank you!
Mmmm, I love falafel but have never thought to make my own (d’oh!). I know what you mean about the dryness – I hate it when they crumble apart as soon as you bite into them… Gorgeous pics!
Ooh love Falafels which my daughter made for us for the 1st time recentlly! Thank you for reminding me of these as they are the perfect thing to put in the kids lunch boxes as sandwiches get so boring!
Excellent! No messin’ and quick too. Hmmm. That word…… I’m afraid Miranda has spoiled it for me for ever!
These look great Becca! I usually find falafel too dry too and make mine with either butternut squash or sweet potato but these are much quicker!
Becca, you have a beautiful blog. I’m so glad I found it. I love your recipes, and I think I’ll be making this one ASAP.
Aw thanks so much Kathleen!
You can’t beat homemade falafel. It just tastes so much less processed. I have stumbled these :)
These will be perfect in our homemade pitas. I’ve never tried making falafel at home — I’m always trying to find an alternate to meat so this will work out great. Thank you.
these look amazing! I’ve never thought of making falafel at home but with these looking so easy and quick yet delicious I’m definitely going to have to give it a go! completely agree with the hummus comment, what a chickpea overload that is:’) thanks for sharing!
Helena / helenaterry.blogspot.co.uk
These look delish!
i havent made falafel at home but its always a hit and miss at restaurants..