Crispy Fried Falafel Recipes

HOW TO MAKE PERFECTLY CRISPY FALAFEL

Steps:

• Rinse the dried chickpeas then place into a large bowl and cover with cool water by about 4 inches. Cover and soak overnight or until the beans triple in size. Drain the soaked chickpeas, rinse, and then pat dry or add to a salad spinner to spin dry.
• Add chickpeas, scallions, garlic, herbs, salt, cumin, coriander, cardamom, cayenne, black pepper, and the baking powder to a bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture until very finely minced, but not pureed, scraping the bowl down as necessary. You should be able to press a handful together and have it hold it's shape (it will be loose and a little crumbly). See our video and photos above for reference.
• Transfer the falafel mix to a bowl and cover. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to help the balls hold together when cooking. If making ahead, you can refrigerate the mixture for a few days.
• Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the falafel mix then gently shape it into a ball and place onto a clean plate. Repeat with as many falafel as you plan to cook. The mix will not act like dough, but will hold its shape. Watch the video to see how we do this. Optional step: As an extra fail-safe for preventing the balls from falling apart when they hit the oil, rest the falafel balls in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes before cooking.
• Add at least 3/4 inch of oil to a deep saucepan, cast iron skillet or Dutch oven. The smaller the pan, the less oil you will need. The wider the pan, the more falafel you can cook at one time).
• Turn the heat to medium-high and heat the oil to between 350 degrees and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Fry the falafel in batches, placing them gently into the oil and without crowding in the pan, until they are browned on the bottom sides. Using two forks, carefully flip the falafel to brown the other side, 3 1/2 minutes to 4 minutes total.
• Transfer the cooked falafel to a plate lined with paper towel, sprinkle with a little salt, and then repeat with the remaining falafel balls. Serve immediately.

CRISPY FRIED FALAFEL

Steps:

• In a bowl add broad beans and chick peas then pour water into the bowl to cover the beans. Cover the bowl with cling wrap and all them to soak overnight.
• Drain the broad beans and chick peas then remove and discard shells.
• Place beans in a large food processor, add parsley, mint, coriander, onion, garlic, dried coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne and salt. Process until it's all chopped up and mixed.
• Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add bicarbonate of soda. Knead the combine thoroughly, cover with cling wrap and leave to rest in fridge for about one hour.
• After one hour make patties. To do this mould the mixture into walnut size ball and then flatten it slightly, place it on a tray. Repeat step until mixture is complete.
• Heat the vegetables oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Once heated gently lower the patties into the hot oil in batches, (patties will be delicate and may not hold its shape). Deep fry for about five to six minutes, once cooked place them on clean paper towels to drain oil. Repeat step until all patties have been cooked.
• Serve the falafel either hot or cold and enjoy.

PAN-FRIED FALAFEL BITES

Steps:

• Place garbanzo beans, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs, onion, egg, parsley, curry powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, and pepper into a food processor or blender. Puree until coarse, adding bread crumbs if needed as you don't want mixture too moist.
• Take 1 tablespoon of mixture, roll into a ball, and coat with panko bread crumbs. Place on a plate. Repeat with remaining mixture.
• Heat remaining olive oil (about 1 inch) in a deep skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry bites until crispy golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side, working in batches if necessary. Remove and drain on paper towels.

CRISPY PAN SEARED FALAFEL

Steps:

• Combine half the chickpeas, the onion, lemon juice, 4 teaspoons water, zucchini, cayenne, cumin, coriander, baking soda, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Add remaining chickpeas to processor, and pulse just until lumpy (should still have some texture), six to eight pulses. Stir into chickpea mixture. Stir in the herbs.
• Use your hands to pat the mixture into twelve 2-inch patties, each weighing about 1 1/2 ounces. Place each on a waxed-paper-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and transfer to refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Place skillet over medium heat, and cook 3 to 4 patties at a time, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Transfer cooked patties to a heatproof plate to keep warm in a 200-degree oven, if necessary.
• To serve, toast pitas, and split them open. Arrange lettuce, tomato, and red-onion slices on each. Place two of the cooked patties on each pita. Sprinkle each with mint leaves. Serve with tzatziki.

CLASSIC CRISPY FALAFEL

Steps:

• Soak chickpeas in water to cover for 12 hours.
• Boil in large saucepan for about 20 minutes, until soft (or you can use canned chickpeas, if desired).
• Drain and blend in food processor to a smooth paste.
• Soak bulghur in water to cover for 1 hour.
• Crush garlic with salt.
• Combine all ingredients except oil.
• Shape into balls and shallow-fry until brown (you can deep-fry if you like, or coat lightly with oil and bake until golden).
• The yield depends on the size of the falafels you prefer.

AIR-FRYER FALAFEL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cover beans with water. Stir in baking soda. Cover and let stand overnight. Drain beans; rinse and pat dry., In a food processor, pulse cilantro and mint until finely chopped. Add beans, garlic, salt, pepper if desired, coriander and chili powder. Pulse until blended and texture of coarse meal. Transfer to a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. , Preheat air fryer to 375°. Stir in sesame seeds and baking powder. Shape into sixteen 2-in. balls. Arrange 8 balls in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket; spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally.