Homemade Chickpea Falafel

Homemade falafel are popular around the world. For good reason – they are quick and easy to make, and they can easily be frozen for future quick meals.

The primary ingredient in falafel is chickpeas. This makes them very high in fiber and protein. They are quite filling and provide a great protein punch.

Raw or Canned Chickpeas?

The trick to nice textured falafel is using raw chickpeas, not canned. The biggest problem with using canned chickpeas is that the moisture content is so high. The falafel dough ends up being very mushy and pasty.

Uncooked chickpeas will have all the moisture you need, once they are soaked. The chickpeas need to be soaked for at least 8 hours or overnight. If you want to make falafel, but forgot to soak the peas, you can also use the quick soak method on the stove or in the pressure cooker.

When you are done processing the dough, it may appear to be too dry to shape. Give it try to see. If it is too dry, process a little more. It will not be a sticky dough and may take a bit of pressing between your hands to hold together.

If you do decide that you want to try making them with canned chickpeas, you may need to add a lot more flour to keep it from being overly mushy. You may also want to drain them and put them in a warm oven to help them dry out a bit before processing.

Make Them Ahead of Time

Falafel are perfect for making ahead of time. This saves a ton of time down the road.

The dough can be frozen whether cooked or not. Just place formed falafel in a single layer on a baking sheet and put the sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the falafel into a labeled freezer safe bag or container.

To reheat frozen, cooked falafel: Allow the falafel to thaw in the fridge. Once thawed, place in preheated 350 °F (180 °C) oven until heated through. Keep an eye on them because they will burn quickly or become overly dry.
To cook frozen, uncooked falafel: Allow the falafel to thaw in the fridge. Once thawed, place in preheated 350 °F (180 °C) oven for 30 minutes – flipping halfway through the time.

As will most dishes, fresh is the best. The texture of reheated falafel will not be as nice as freshly baked or fried.

This recipe has fairly traditional spices added to the chickpeas. But, you can easily substitute other spices.

To ensure that this recipe is gluten free, be sure to use gluten free flour.

Recipe Demonstration Videos

This is a quick video demonstration showing how easy it is to make both baked and fried falafel.

Homemade Falafel

Homemade Chickpea Falafel Recipe

Print Recipe

Servings	Prep Time	Cook Time
35 pieces	15 minutes	15-30 minutes

Recipe Notes

Once soaked, the chickpeas will make about 4-5 cups
If freezing, place formed raw or cooked falafel in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze. Remove from sheet and place in a labeled freezer-safe bag or container.
To reheat cooked falafel from frozen: Allow falafel to thaw in the fridge and then bake at 350 °F (180 °C) until warmed through.
Follow the recipe instructions if cooking thawed raw falafels.

INGREDIENTS

454 grams (2 Cups) Dried Chickpeas
1 Small Onion
1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley
3-5 Cloves Peeled Garlic
1 Tablespoon Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
1 Pinch Pepper

DIRECTIONS

Soak dried chickpeas for 8 hours or overnight.

Drain the chickpeas and gather the other ingredients.

Place all of the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor. Process until it is coarse like couscous or rice. Do not over-process or it will be mushy. Once processed, it can be stored, covered, in the fridge for an hour or two to let the flavours mature. It can also be stored for up to three days in the fridge.

Shape the falafel however you like. You can make small balls or disks. The cooking time depends on the size of the falafel. At this point you can bake, fry, or freeze the dough.

Baked Falafel

To bake, place falafel in 350 °F (180 °C) and bake for 30 minutes. Flip falafel half-way through. Remove when browned on both sides. Serve right away or allow to cool and store in the fridge or freezer.

Fried Falafel

Heat oil over medium-high heat until very hot. Place falafel in pan without overcrowding. Make sure that the oil is not too hot. It should take about 2 minutes on each side to cook the falafel. Once cooked, place on paper towel or cooling rack. Serve right away or allow to cool and store in the fridge or freezer.