Falafel Recipes to Try at Home Today

Packed with hearty goodness, falafel dishes make perfect light lunches and balanced dinners. Choose your favourite falafel recipe here.

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What is Falafel?

Falafel is a beloved and iconic dish that hails from the heart of the Middle East. Falafel is also a popular Middle Eastern street food, sold in foodie hotspots such as Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey and Israel, where it's the national dish.

These delectable, deep-fried patties are typically made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, sometimes both, seasoned with an aromatic blend of herbs and spices such as coriander, cumin and garlic. They’re a flavourful and satisfying treat with a crispy exterior and a tender, herb-infused interior. Originating in Egypt, falafel has become a global sensation, cherished for its versatility in vegetarian and vegan recipes, served in various forms – from pita sandwiches to salads and bowls. The popularity of falafel is not only down to its delicious taste but also its strong cultural significance, making falafel recipes regularly enjoyed around the world.

How to Build a Falafel Bowl

One of the most popular falafel recipes is a falafel bowl because it has all the delicious flavours of a typical Middle Eastern recipe and is packed with nutrients and goodness. Start your falafel bowl by choosing your falafel, whether you’re using a ready-made falafel or you’re making it from scratch (to discover how to make falafel at home, read on). Next, assemble a colourful array of fresh and crisp vegetables, such as cucumber, tomato, and red onion, to add a burst of texture and nutrients. Include a generous portion of leafy greens like spinach or kale for a vibrant and wholesome base. Complement the bowl with a dollop of creamy tahini sauce or tzatziki to enhance the overall taste and provide a luscious contrast to the crispy falafel. Consider adding grains like quinoa or couscous for an extra layer of heartiness. The beauty of a falafel bowl lies in its versatility, allowing you to customise it to your taste preferences while savouring the delightful fusion of flavours and textures in each bite.

How to Make Falafel

No matter whether you buy pre-made falafel, or make it from scratch, you can guarantee your falafel dish will be delicious. If you’re wanting to try making it yourself, here’s an easy, step-by-step guide on how to make falafel:

Falafel Ingredients

1 cup dried chickpeas
1/2 large onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup fresh parsley and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
4-6 tablespoons all-purpose flour or chickpea flour
Drizzle of oil for frying

Method of Cooking Falafel

Soak your chickpeas overnight.
When you’re ready to begin making falafel, drain and rinse chickpeas.
Blend chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, spices and baking powder until you have a coarse mixture. If the consistency isn’t exactly as you’d like, you could add a little flour to firm it slightly. Shape the mixture into small balls or patties.
Fry in hot oil until golden brown.
Lift gently from the pan and drain on paper towels.
Falafel can be served fresh from the pan, or left to cool – it’s entirely up to you.

Falafel Recipe FAQs

What is falafel made of?

Falafel is made of ground chickpeas, mixed with herbs and spices. This mixture is then formed into balls or patties and fried until crispy.

Is falafel healthy?

Due to the chickpea content, falafel is high in fibre and other vitamins and minerals. When enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, falafel can be a healthy option to add to salads, wraps and more.

Is falafel vegan?

Most falafel is vegan, as it is made from plant-based ingredients such as chickpeas, flour, herbs and spices. However, we recommend double-checking the ingredients used in falafel recipes or when ordering from restaurants to ensure you are receiving a fully vegan product.

Can you freeze falafel?

Yes! You can freeze falafel both before and after frying. We recommend arranging your falafel onto a baking tray in a single layer, until falafels are fully frozen, and then packing into food bags for freezer storage. This way they will not stick together and will make removing from the freezer to cook much easier.