Healthy homemade chickpea falafels are a delicious and easy way to bring all the flavours of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine to your dinner table. Falafels are always a crowd-pleaser and they lend well to vegan and non-vegan diets. Prepare these vegan patties in advance and serve at a diner party or as a quick weeknight meal on meatless Mondays.
I’m an honest person. Honest enough to admit my failures in the kitchen – this being one of them. I have made numerous attempts at preparing homemade falafels, but they never came to fruition as well as I had anticipated. Years later, and many a chickpea wasted, I finally discovered my one and only error, which can literally make or break this recipe – the chickpeas! When it comes to preparing falafel from scratch, it is important to use dry, uncooked chickpeas (rather than the canned variety) to ensure your falafels are light and fluffy, as opposed to dense and flattened. The entire process is really quite easy; soak the chickpeas overnight, grind them until fine and crumbly, add the remaining ingredients, form into patties, fry, and voilà!
Garnish this protein-packed vegetarian appetizer with tahini paste or a quick-fix yogurt dip made with cucumbers and fresh dill. Or, serve as a main on top of a fresh salad, like this Quinoa Tabbouleh, or paired with your favourite protein. Although the ingredients listed are ‘exact’ measurements, there’s always room for a bit of interpretation. For example, if you love falafels with a punch of flavour add more garlic, herbs, and spices. Also, depending on how much you’ve soaked the chickpeas and dried them, you might have to add a tablespoon or so of water at a time as you prepare the mixture until you get the perfect consistency. The falafels should be firm enough to hold together but not too wet. Once you get that perfect consistency you are good to go. Just quickly form patties with your hands then set then cook the falafels until golden perfection!
If you try this recipe (and love it!) be sure to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram with #bitesforfoodies so I can see your creation!
These look absolutely delicious! I’ve never actually had chick peas outside of hummus. But seeing this recipe makes me want to give it a try.
As a vegetarian I love this recipe. I actually purchase something similar at a local restuarant. Never dawned on me to try my own homemade recipe to save some money. Will give this a try.
These sound amazing! What a quick and easy recipe to whip up 🙂
I ate so many falafels in high school and college it’s a surprise I’m not sick of them. Maybe I’ll try this recipe out and see if I have any luck.
For me it was burgers! I’m gone vegetarian so I am obviously sick of them! lol!
I have never had these before but my husband loves them. Maybe I need to try your recipe and surprise him and the kids with a yummy falafels plate! YUM!! Looks pretty easy to make too.
You have to try them! They are addictive!
I must be living a sheltered life. I have never eaten Middle Eastern cuisine, that I know of. The chickpea falafels look like something I might enjoy, though. So, here goes!
Hmm…possibly?! lol! You need to try it!
This sounds delish! I can’t believe I’ve been making them with canned chickpeas too! I never knew that they were supposed to be the dried ones soaked. I can’t wait to try this recipe the right way lol.
Yep, makes a world fo difference! Whenever I used canned I’d have to add flour because they always ended so wet and mushy!
I have never eaten or tried falafels but love trying new foods. I love the colorful plate it makes. Thank you for creating an easy quick prep and cook time for this recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
My husband is Lebanese and I get really excited when my mother in law makes this and some of the other yummy foods! I haven’t had this in a long time. Maybe I will surprise my husband and make it for him!
Ha! Ha! I think many of us have initial fails in the kitchen. Glad you’ve finally figured out how to perfect yours though. This looks fabulous. Now I’m in the mood for some chickpeas!