Introduction

Falafel is a popular vegan Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. It’s usually shaped into balls or patties and deep-fried to give it a crispy exterior while remaining flavorful and moist inside. Though making falafel may seem daunting at first, its recipe is simple to follow and easy to customize.

In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of making delicious falafel from scratch, provide healthy swaps for the traditional recipe, introduce unique recipe variations from around the world, and offer tips on achieving the ideal texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Delicious Falafel from Scratch

Before we dive into making falafel, let’s go over the ingredients needed. You’ll need one can of chickpeas, one small onion, two cloves of garlic, ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cumin, ½ tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp baking powder, and ¼ cup all-purpose flour.

Step 1: Drain the chickpeas from the can and transfer them to a food processor with the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, salt, cumin, and coriander. Pulse for a few seconds until the ingredients are well combined but not pureed.

Step 2: Add baking powder and flour to the chickpea mixture and pulse again until the mixture is uniform. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to rest.

Step 3: Shape the chickpea mixture into small balls or patties, then flatten slightly with your palm. Fry the falafel balls in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Step 4: Serve the falafel in pitas with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and tahini sauce or yogurt sauce on top.

5 Creative Falafel Recipes to Try at Home

Though traditional falafel is delicious, it can sometimes be fun to experiment with variations on the classic recipe. Here are five creative falafel recipes to try at home:

1. Sweet Potato Falafel: Substitute sweet potatoes for chickpeas in the recipe and add ¼ tsp cinnamon to the mixture before forming into balls. Serve with a side of yogurt sauce.

2. Quinoa Falafel: Add cooked quinoa to the chickpea mixture before forming into balls. Fry and serve with a side of avocado dip.

3. Curry Falafel: Add 1 tsp curry powder to the chickpea mixture and form it into balls. Serve with a side of mango chutney.

4. Beetroot Falafel: Add 1 grated beetroot to the mixture, and fry and serve with tzatziki sauce.

5. Black Bean Falafel: Replace chickpeas with a can of black beans, and add 1 tsp chili powder, and form into balls. Serve in soft tacos with lettuce and salsa.

Healthy Falafel Alternatives: Two Recipe Swaps to Try

Falafel is traditionally a vegan dish, but it does not always signify healthy. You can try healthier alternatives by making a couple of recipe swaps. Instead of serving falafel in chapati or pita, you can serve it wrapped in lettuce or another leafy green to cut down on carbohydrates. You can also make falafel using less chickpeas and more cauliflower – try this healthy falafel recipe variation:

Cauliflower Falafel: Mix 1 ½ cups cauliflower rice, 1 ½ cups chickpeas, 1 small onion, 1 garlic clove, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chopped cilantro, ½ tsp ground cumin, 2 tbsp flour, and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, form into small patties, and fry until golden brown.

Falafel Around the World: Regional Twists on a Classic Recipe

Falafel is hugely popular in various parts of the world, from Egypt to Israel, and can be enjoyed with a range of toppings and dips. Here are a few regional twists on the classic recipe that you can try at home:

1. Egyptian Falafel: This local favorite is made using fava beans instead of chickpeas and add parsley, coriander, and cumin to the mix. Served with a salad and tahini sauce.

2. Israeli Falafel: Served by stuffing a pita with crispy falafel balls along with a variety of colorful salads, pickles, and condiments, including hummus, tahini, and harissa.

3. Lebanese Falafel: It is popular in Lebanon and is made using a combination of chickpeas and fava beans. The recipe calls for using garlic paste, chopped onions, and parsley. Served with pita bread and a side of creamy tahini sauce.

4. Syrian Falafel: Syrian falafel is also known as Aleppine falafel and is made with chickpeas, fava beans, green chili, garlic, cilantro, parsley, and cumin. Typically served with a drizzle of sweet syrup and a generous squeeze of lemon juice on the top.

The Science of the Perfect Falafel: How to Achieve the Ideal Texture and Flavor

Here are some critical science-based tips for making the perfect falafel:

– Choose fresh ingredients. Fresh, high-quality herbs and chickpeas will give your falafel a more intense flavor.

– Soak the chickpeas beforehand. Soak the chickpeas for at least 4 hours – it will result in a fluffier texture.

– Don’t overmix the ingredients. The falafel mixture should be slightly chunky; overmixing will turn it into a paste.

– Use the right amount of spices. The ideal chickpea-to-spice ratio is 4:1.

– Keep the oil temperature consistent. Keep the frying temperature between 350-375°F for a crispy exterior.

Conclusion

Making falafel can seem like a daunting task at first, but with practice and experimentation, you can easily achieve the perfect crispy exterior and moist, flavorful interior. Whether you stick with the traditional recipe or try out some of the unique variations we’ve shared, falafel is a beloved dish that can be customized to suit your tastes.