Homemade Falafel Recipe with Dried Chickpeas

A white bowl filled with crispy, golden-brown homemade falafel patties.

5 from 2 votes

Homemade Falafel Recipe with Dried Chickpeas

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish with fresh herbs and spices blended into chickpeas, then shaped and fried. It's crispy, flavorful, and works fro both snacks and meals.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Keyword chickpea falafel recipe, easy homemade falafel, Homemade Falafel Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Soaking Time 1

Total Time 1 40

Servings

Calories 345kcal

Author Shelby Law Ruttan

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups dried chickpeas
½ cup onion finely chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro packed
1 cup fresh parsley packed
¼ cup lemon juice
8 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
⅓ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon red pepper ground
4 cups olive oil for frying

Instructions

Add the dried chickpeas to a large mixing bowl and cover completely with water and baking soda. Allow to soak up to 6 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and add to a food processor.
Pulse until the chickpeas have broken down into small pieces. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and red pepper. Process until well combined.
Add the parsley and cilantro. Pulse until all ingredients have incorporated, scraping the sides down periodically.
Heat a large skillet with enough olive oil to be about 2" deep over medium high heat. Portion out the falafel using a falafel scoop or two spoons.
Fry falafel on each side 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

Video

Notes

Recipes Notes

Be sure to use dried chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans). Canned chickpeas should not be substituted. They are already cooked and would make the falafel gummy.
Don't hesitate to soak the chickpeas in the baking soda water. This will help them soften.
When the chickpeas have soaked overnight, they should have increased in volume by soaking up the water in the bowl.
If you don't have a falafel scoop, use two large tablespoons and shape the falafel between the spoons (see video).
To bake or air fry the falafel, once shaped, place falafel on a parchment lined baking sheet or air fryer basket. Spray the tops of the falafel with cooking spray, then bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or air fry at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Nutrition