Falafel

Middle Eastern · Dinner · Easy

Falafel

Total
42 min
Prep
25 min
Serves
3
Calories
290
Jump to recipe

Golden chickpea patties with cumin, coriander and parsley, pan-fried until the outsides are crisp and the centers stay tender.

Canned chickpeas make Falafel practical on a busy evening, with an egg helping these soft patties hold together in the skillet. Cooked onion adds sweetness without leaving hard pieces in the middle.

Drain and dry the chickpeas thoroughly before mashing. This version is softer than falafel made with soaked dried chickpeas, so keep the patties small and turn them only after a crust has formed.

Method

  1. Heat 1 tbsp sunflower oil over medium-low heat. Cook the onion for until soft, then add the garlic and cook for until fragrant.

  2. Mash the chickpeas to a coarse paste. Mix in the onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, parsley, egg, salt and black pepper. Chill for to firm slightly.

  3. Shape into six patties about 1/2 inch thick. Heat the remaining oil in a wide skillet over medium heat.

  4. Fry the patties for on each side until browned and firm, with the egg set throughout and centers reaching 160°F. Turn gently with a thin spatula.

Forkue tips

  • If the mixture feels wet, mash it more thoroughly and chill before shaping; wet chickpeas make fragile patties.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on a sheet pan at 375°F (190°C) until hot and the edges crisp again, about 10 minutes.

Kitchen gear

Forkue may earn a commission from links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Nutrition per serving, estimated

290Calories
11gProtein
28gCarbs
16gFat

Falafel: FAQ

Can I deep-fry these?

Pan-frying suits this canned-chickpea mixture best. It is softer than a dried-chickpea mixture and can break apart in deep oil.

Why are my patties falling apart?

The mixture may be too wet or too coarsely mashed. Dry the chickpeas well and leave each patty undisturbed until its underside sets.

How do I store and reheat Falafel?

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on a sheet pan at 375°F (190°C) until hot and the edges crisp again, about 10 minutes.

How long does Falafel take?

About 42 min in total: 25 min prep and 17 min cooking.

What do I need to make Falafel?

The key ingredients are onion, garlic, chickpeas, ground cumin, ground coriander and parsley, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Falafel?

If the mixture feels wet, mash it more thoroughly and chill before shaping; wet chickpeas make fragile patties.