The best falafel near you? It’s right in your own kitchen! This falafel recipe is crispy on the outside, a moist emerald green on the inside, garlicky, with lots of warm spices like cumin and coriander, and has the perfect fluffy texture.

the perfect falafel recipe
Falafel is the original veggie burger and this falafel recipe is the best I’ve ever had! Falafel, or Middle Eastern chickpea fritters, are deep dried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans. They’re eaten wrapped in pita bread, on top of salads, or just as a snack. Drenched in the requisite thick, lemony tahini sauce, it’s simply divine.
Falafel is sold on streets all over the middle east, and in restaurants worldwide. McDonald’s Egypt even sells a McFalafel sandwich (I’m so jealous.) And over many years of enjoying falafel in different parts of the globe, I’m confident that this homemade version is the very best, outside of maybe that secret little shop in Beirut or Tel Aviv. You’re going to love the flavor and the fluffy texture, so let’s get going.
THE FOUR SECRETS TO A GREAT FALAFEL RECIPE
I adore falafel, but like many delicious foods, it can be tricky. It can be tough, or dry, under or over cooked, lacing in flavor…the list goes on. But once you know the ropes, you’ll never be without the best falafel in the world.
1. start with dried chickpeas that are soaked tender but not cooked
This is the number one secret to authentic falafel. Don’t be tempted by the convenience of canned chickpeas, they will make a mushy fritter. Cooked chickpeas make a falafel that can fall apart in the oil, and they will not have the correct texture. And luckily, actually, soaking chickpeas overnight is much easier than cooking them, so it’s a win win.
2. I personally feel that great falafel needs lots of fresh herbs
The best falafel recipes call for lots of fresh parsley and cilantro. You’ll get the beautiful surprise of a bright emerald green when you cut through the mahogany brown crust, and the herbs add tons of moisture and flavor. Falafel must be green.
3. a bit of flour helps bind the mixture so the falafel don’t fall apart as they fry
This is controversial, some say there should be no flour in falafel, but I’ve found it necessary. You can use all purpose flour, or chickpea flour to keep this falafel recipe gluten free.
4. a little baking powder
You’ll blend it into the falafel mixture and when the falafel cooks, the baking powder will release carbon dioxide gas to create a lighter, fluffier, result.
ingredients for the best falafel recipe
- dried chickpeas that have been soaked but not cooked.
- baking soda, for adding to the soaking liquid.
- parsley and cilantro ~ these must be fresh. Lop the tops of 2 bunches and add them right to the processor.
- garlic ~ fresh garlic adds a wonderful kick.
- red onion ~ you can also use green onions but I love red onion best.
- cumin and coriander ~ these dried spices are traditional.
- lemon zest and juice
- hot pepper, optional, but I love it. I use 1/2 a jalapeรฑo pepper but you could also add some red pepper flakes.
- flour ~ helps bind the mixture. You can use garbanzo flour for a gluten free choice.
- baking powder ~ this will create a lighter, fluffier texture.
- salt
method
The method for this falafel recipe is simple: whiz the whole lot in your food processor. If you don’t have a full sized machine you’ll need to do it in batches. Process until everything is finely ground but not so far that it becomes a paste. You want to see a little texture in the falafel mixture. It should hold together when you squeeze it in your hand, but will fall apart easily as well, like wet sand.
which is best, falafel balls or patties?
The shape of your falafel is up to you, and depends on how you like to eat them and how you want to fry them. This falafel recipe can be made into balls or patties. To shape the balls I use a small cookie scoop and for the patties I use a larger cookie scoop and then flatten into shape with my hands.
-
round balls, portioned with a small scoop and rolled gently in your palms are best for snacking, or as part of a salad or appetizer plate. They also are best when you are able to deep fry them, so they stay nice and round. They aren’t a good choice for shallow pan frying because of their round shape.
-
patties are great when you want to stuff pita pockets for sandwiches. They can be deep fried, but can also be shallow fried in a pan because of their flatter shape.
how to serve falafel
This epic falafel recipe can be served warm or at room temperature.
Serve them as is as a snack, an appetizer, or as part of a bigger mezze selection. Serve tahini sauce or yogurt based tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping; never serve without some sort of dip.
A classic way to enjoy falafel is stuffed inside a pita bread pocket. I like to fill the bottom of the pita with hummus, them some greens, topped with the falafel and some tahini sauce. You can also stuff the pita with chopped tomatoes and cucumber, or even some Israeli salad, chopped finely.
You can top a plate of freshly made hummus with falafel balls.
Probably my favorite way to use falafel is in salads, check out my Falafel Salad Bowl, it makes a main course out of these delicious fritters.
Once you’ve fried up your very own falafel, you’re going to need some of my Homemade Pita Bread to go with it!
falafel faqs
can you make falafel ahead
Your falafel mix will keep beautifully in the fridge for a day or two so you can do the work one day, and then scoop it out and fry fresh falafel when you want it. This is my best meal prep secret!
is falafel healthy
Falafel is deep fried in oil, so to that extent it is not considered a particularly healthy food. But the ingredients that make it up are very nutritious and it is an excellent replacement for less healthy meat in the diet. Eaten in moderation, falafel is part of a prudent diet. And it’s delicious ๐
is falafel vegan
Definitely. So is the pita bread, salad, and tahini sauce that it’s normally eaten with.
can you bake falafel
Baked falafel is frankly not nearly as good. If you really can’t stand deep frying, you can shape your falafel into patties and shallow fry them on the stove. If you want to bake, do it at 375F, and brush your patties generously on both sides with oil. Bake until crispy, flipping once. It should take about 25 minutes, but watch carefully for over browning.
can you make falafel in the air fryer
Yes, you can, although I haven’t tried it personally. Again, it won’t be nearly as good as frying the traditional way, but it can be done. Set the machine to 350F and spray both the basket and the falafel patties with oil. Cook in a single layer for 8 minutes. Then flip the patties and let them fry for another 5 or 6 minutes.
can you freeze falafel
Yes. You can freeze it raw or cooked. To freeze raw falafel, form it into balls or patties, arrange them on a lined baking sheet and put into the freezer until solid. Then transfer to a freezer safe container or a heavy duty zip lock freezer bag. Use within 6 months. Thaw the frozen falafel in the refrigerator overnight, then cook as usual.
To freeze cooked falafel freeze in a freezer safe container or heavy duty zip lock bags. Thaw in refrigerator overnight and reheat wrapped loosely in foil in a low oven until hot.
“I am SO glad I found this recipe. These were by far the best falafel I have ever made, and quite possibly the best I have ever had. Thank you, Sue! Iโm new to your siteโฆ this recipe has made a devoted follower out of me !!โ ~Robin
The Best Falafel Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups (500 grams) soaked chickpeas Note: use dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight, but do not cook them. See instructions for soaking chickpeas below.
- 1/2 medium red onion, peeled and cut in quarters
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled
- 1 small hot chile pepper, sliced , I used a Serrano
- a large handful of parsley, tender stems are ok, this will be about a packed cup.
- a large handful of cilantro, tender stems are ok. This will be about a packed cup.
- the zest of 1 lemon
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1/2 Tbsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3 Tbsp all purpose flour, or chickpea flour
- vegetable oil for frying
tahini sauce
- 1/2 cup tahini (sesame paste)
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- pinch salt
- water for thinning
Instructions
- Measure out 3 cups (500 grams) of soaked and drained chickpeas. Note: you are starting with dried chickpeas that have been soaked, but not cooked.
- Put the soaked beans, fresh herbs, onion, garlic cloves, hot pepper, lemon zest and juice, spices, salt, baking powder, and flour in the bowl of a full sized food processor. Your machine will be full. Note: if your machine is smaller, do this in batches.
- Pulse the machine repeatedly to break everything down.
- Stop the machine and scrape down the sides. Run again until the mixture is evenly blended but still has some texture, like coarse sand. It should hold together when you squeeze it between your fingers, but also fall apart easily. It should have a texture similar to wet sand. Note: you can refrigerate the mixture at this point for up to 2 days ahead of time.
- Using your hands or a small cookie scoop portion out the mixture and roll into balls or form patties. The mixture will be delicate, so use a gentle touch.
- If you are using a deep fryier or a deep pot for frying, heat your oil to about 340F. Use a thermometor to check the temperature. Your oil should be at least 3 inches deep. Note: You can also shallow fry patties in a pan on the stove.
- When the oil is hot, gently lower the balls or patties into the oil with a slotted spoon. Work in batches so you don't crowd your pan. Fry the falafel for about 2 to 3 minutes, until they are a nice deep brown on the outside and fluffy inside. If they are getting too dark, lower the temperature of your oil. If they are not turning golden within a minute, turn up the temperature a bit.
- Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with tahini sauce.
- Make the tahini sauce by mixing the tahini, lemon juice, salt, and enough cold water to make a sauce. Taste to adjust the lemon and salt. Note: be sure to stir your jar of tahini thoroughly before measuring, as it separates.
Hi Sue…My husband and I run a food booth at local music festivals and other events and we always try to offer a good vegetarian option. I found your recipe and we made falafel and tabouli pitas with tzatziki and tahini sauce for our vegetarian option this past Saturday. Your falafel and tahini sauce recipes were the star of that dish…and everyone RAVED about the dish. Thanks for posting this recipe. I had never made falafel before and your recipe is foolproof and amazingly delicious.
What a great story, this thrills me Lisa! I love to know that my recipe was such a hit, we adore falafel and I’m always trying to up my falafel game. Thanks SO much for taking the time to come back and leave a comment, and good luck with your food booth, what a fun lifestyle!
This is the best falafel recipe I have made yet. I made it yesterday and fried it today so the timing was spread out a little. Thanks for sharing Sue.
I’m thrilled to hear this Kerri, falafel is one of my favorite foods, and I know how great it can be to have a recipe that works for you ๐
The falafel balls taste great but ours totally disintegrated in the frying stage – turned out like ground beef/taco meat
Hi Allie ~ there are a couple of things to keep in mind…make sure your oil is at the right temperature, about 350F…this way the falafel get a quick ‘crust’ on them that helps them stay together. Don’t crowd your pan, either, make sure the falafel has lots of space in the oil. You can try refrigerating your balls before frying, which can help them cohere, too.
I’m thrilled to hear this Lisa, thanks!
Cab this be baked instead of frying?
I never bake my falafel, but I’m sure you can. I would brown it first in a little olive oil to give it a nice crust, and then put it in the oven to get cooked through.
Hey there, how about freezing the mixture? Do you have any tips for preservation or making ahead?
You can definitely freeze the falafel mixture, I could form it into balls, freeze on a tray until solid, and then pack in heavy duty zip lock freezer bags.
Hi,,, this is a great recipe. Thank you so much. I made the mistake of using canned chick peas in the past, what a waste of time, complete failure! Soaking the beans over night is completely worth it. Beautiful color and texture. Made enough to freeze a batch!!
Smart girl Ana ~ wish I had a batch in my freezer!
Great recipe! Can’t wait to try it. Do you think I would be able to roll a bunch of these in advance and then freeze them?
They freeze beautifully Sarah.
I followed recipe to a T and they came out perfect!!! I never attempted making these before and it’s now a favorite. Was a bit concerned about just soaking chickpeas overnight and then grinding in food processor but it works perfectly! Too bad others tried to substitute canned or deviated with egg, more flour etc and had failure when frying. I fried at 375 in a skillet with avocado oil and these came out crispy on outside and light and fluffy inside. I made up a raita dipping sauce for mine with yogurt, lots of minced fresh mint and lemon zest. Perfect cooling touch to the hot Serrano pepper, thank you for posting such a wonderful recipe!
I’m thrilled CarolAnn ~ I am seriously a falafel fanatic, and I’m so glad this recipe worked out so well for you. The thing I love best about these is that they’re fluffy and have such a great flavor and color from the herbs. I bought ready-made falafel the other week from my grocery store and they were so bad I could have kicked myself for not just making a batch of these ๐
Just made these for dinner!!!! My Egyptian husband raved about them, and I was dancing with delight! I did make a few minor changes. I used leek instead of onion. I increased the flour because my mixture felt too wet, and I did add a beaten egg. I formed small patties and fried in 350 degree oil. The outer crust was crispy and the inside was soft and delicate. I served them in warmed naan with tzatziki and tomatoes. This is a meal that I will add to my rotation. Thank you for the BEST falafel recipe. I have tried many.
LOVE to hear this, Kris, especially that your Egyptian hubby liked them! You need to try my falafel salad next ๐ https://theviewfromgreatisland.com/falafel-salad-bowl-recipe/
falafel with egg?
thats like chick peas fritter?
you shouldn’t put leek
the recipe with red onion but the foto with white onion.
i think white onion its better so no color to it.
i middle east we dont use cilantro but parsley and fresh mint. no four too. the best you make it few hours earlier so the ingredient mix well together specially the baking soda soak into the ingredients when you fry them didn’t pull apart.stay together without flour. i even put it in fridge over night or for two days before i fry it still turn good.good luck hope you dont mind I adding a good info for you
update: I experimented with freezing the patties raw, and the result was wonderful. I put the patties on a sheet pan and froze them, then bagged them. Fried them in 350 degree oil for just a minute more, and they tasted perfect!!
How nice it must be to have a supply in the freezer, I need to do this ~ thanks for the update Kris.
I made this recipe today and it is very good! I’ve tried to make falafel twice in the past and when I went to fry it, it just dissolved and disappeared in the oil.
There is a restaurant called The Roxy in Encinitas, CA that serve a falafel burger that is to die for! They also have a booth at the Del Mar Fair each year where they sell the falafel burger (among other things). I’ve been hoping to recreate their recipe for falafel and I think your’s is about spot on! They put cheese, tomato, onion, sprouts and avocado on their falafel burger. If you want to see a picture, go to Yelp and look them up but look up the older version with more pictures. Next time I make this (and I will), I’m making that burger! Thank you so much for posting this recipe!
You are making my mouth water, Bobi. I think I’ll have to do a falafel burger this spring on the blog ~ keep an eye out for it ๐
Best EVER!
Just follow the directions exactly and they will look exactly like the ones on this recipe.
Wishing I could post my pics
Thanks Sarah! Tag your photos #tvfgi on social media and I’ll share!
This is now the best falafel I have ever made! I did not add the flour and deep fried and it turned out excellent. I think the key is to make sure the chickpeas and other ingredients are as dry as possible when you grind them. Also do not grind too much. I have made falafel so many times and made just okay falafel–this recipe is excellent and the falafel divine. So happy–thanks!!!
I’m so happy to hear this DP. Falalfel is one of my favorite foods, I order it in restaurants a lot, and it can be hit or miss. I’m glad I have this recipe to fall back on at home. So happy it worked for you!