Falafel is a traditional and a very popular Middle Eastern food. It is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas, fava beans or both. It is commonly served stuffed in a pita with lettuce, tomatoes and tahini. Falafels are also served on a salad or with hummus and tahini. It may also be eaten alone as a snack. Today we will learn how to make falafel following this easy recipe with step wise pictures.
| Falafel with Yogurt Tahini Dip |
Falafel with Yogurt Tahini Dip
Prep Time :10 mins(excluding soaking time)
Cook Time : 20 mins
Yields: 9 -10
Recipe Category: Snacks-Appetizer
Recipe Cuisine: Middle East
Author: Padhu Sankar
Yields: 9 -10
Recipe Category: Snacks-Appetizer
Recipe Cuisine: Middle East
Author: Padhu Sankar
Ingredients needed
Chickpeas(dried) – 1/2 cup
Onion – 1 medium size
Garlic – 2-3 cloves
Coriander leaves – 1/4 cup chopped
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Coriander powder – 1/2 tsp
Cayenne pepper/chilli powder – 1/2 tsp
Pepper powder as needed
Salt to taste
All purpose flour (maida) or bread crumbs – 1 1/2 -2 tbsp
Oil for shallow frying
For the Tahini Yogurt Dip
Tahini – 2 – 2 1/2 tbsp
Fresh Coriander leaves or fresh parsley – 2 tbsp finely chopped
Garlic – 1 clove
Thick curd/plain yogurt – 3/4 – 1 cup
Fresh lemon juice – 1 tbsp
Salt to taste
Preparation
Wash and soak chickpeas overnight. Drain the water from the chickpeas and keep it ready.
Grind chickpeas along with onion, garlic, coriander leaves, cumin seeds, coriander powder, salt, pepper powder and cayenne pepper. Do not add water. If your blender refuses to budge, you may add just 1-2 tsp of water.
Grind it coarsely. You may adjust the seasonings as per your taste. Add flour and mix well. Do not add too much flour. I added just 1 1/2 tbsp of flour and I was able to make patties.
Make balls and flatten it to form patties.
Method
Falafel is a deep fried snack but to make it healthy I have shallow fried it. Heat oil in a pan and shallow fry the patties on low heat on both sides until golden brown. Repeat the same process for the rest of the patties.
Enjoy falafel hot with Yogurt tahini dip (recipe below).
Yogurt Tahini Dip
Grind coriander and garlic to a smooth paste. Whisk yogurt, add the coriander + garlic paste, tahini, salt needed, lemon juice and mix until smooth. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve with falafel.
How to make tahini – Toast sesame seeds but do not brown it. Blend it with olive oil. The consistency should be thick but of pouring consistency. For more details, check my hummus recipe.
Note – The falafel mixture may appear loose but once you start shallow frying it will hold together. In case, if you are unable to make patties, add a little more flour. You can also refrigerate the mixture for 15-20 minutes and then make patties.
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View Comments (10)
falafel looks great and shallow frying makes it more healthier. yumm..
Is it not necessary to pressure cook the chick peas?
Not necessary.
Thank you mam
Can we bake this recipe ? If so, how ?
Yes, you can bake but you will not get it dark brown or crispy on the outside.
Thanks Padhu!
Hi padhus, no dish of yours can go wrong ..made amazing falafel with tahini dip, I served it with pita bread....I m star at my house ....wish I can send you the pic
Thank you so much Bodichitta. You can send the pic to padhusblog@gmail.com or you can message and send the pic to Padhuskitchen FB page (link on the right side)
Tried it today with some remaining uncooked channa I had after making sundal. Was so yummy. I am a student living in Pittsburgh and a sincere fan of your blog. I owe most of my cooking glories to u. Thanks and keep more delicious stuffs coming!