How to Make the Best Homemade Falafel

Ingredients

• 2 cups chickpeas
• 1 cup crushed fava beans (broad beans)
• 6 garlic cloves or whole heads of garlic
• 1 large onion
• 1 tbsp falafel spice mix
• 1 tbsp dried coriander or fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Note:
• It is important to add salt to the falafel mixture. The oil must be very hot when placing the falafel patties for frying.
• Falafel spice mix:
• 1/2 tbsp onion powder
• 1/2 tbsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tbsp coriander
• caraway
• cinnamon
• fennel
• red chili, sweet paprika, nutmeg
• The homemade falafel recipe and method are kindly shared by a friend and cook on Sho Tabkhin Today:
• Nicole Maawad
• Click Nicole’s name to visit her profile on our site and see her recipes
• To make Nicole’s beef roast (bifteck) as well, click the link: How to Make Roast Beef with Bifteck Pieces
• For the delicious wedges to serve with crispy falafel, here is the link: Potato Wedges
• For an easy homemade ghouzi recipe, click this link: Ghouzi (with video)
• To get the method for making vegetable spring rolls at home click this link: How to Make Spring Rolls / Vegetable Crisps

Method

1. Soak the chickpeas and fava beans overnight. Be careful not to add baking soda to the soaking water and leave them to soak for a full night.
2. Drain the chickpeas and fava beans, then grind them with the garlic and onion in a food processor. Grind twice until you get a nearly smooth mixture.
3. Add the salt, spices and coriander and mix well until you have a semi-smooth dough.
4. Add the baking powder to the mixture before frying and mix the ingredients thoroughly.
5. Shape the falafel into patties using a mold designed for that purpose.
6. Place each patty directly from the mold into the hot, deep oil and cook over medium heat until browned.
7. Remove the falafel patties from the oil and drain briefly, then serve with vegetables, fresh green pepper and tartar or tahini sauce and hot pepper to taste.