ramyaramesh3007This recipe gives you the crispiest falafels – and they are also freezer friendly, allergen friendly, gluten free and can be prepared in just 30 minutes!
This Post May Contain Affiliate Links.
What are Falafels?
Falafels are deep fried patties or balls made from chickpeas or fava beans – it’s traditionally vegan so most of the middle eastern restaurants that serve them also tend to be vegan! However, they might come with a side of Tzatziki which is not vegan!
Tips To Make the Best Falafel
The first time I tried making falafel, everything fell apart when I fried the patties. It could not be salvaged, like at all.
So here are some tips on how to make the best, crispiest falafels:
1. Deep fry your falafels!
Deep frying is the best option to get crispy and well-browned falafels. It is the only way it turns out crispy on the outside and crumbly on the inside.
You can also air fry or bake them but I can’t guarantee that they will come out as crispy. But they would most definitely still taste good!
2. Do NOT use Canned Chickpeas.
Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked so blending them results in a mushy texture. If you try frying them, everything will break and fall apart.
Instead, soak your chickpeas for 18 hours to a day, and rinse them. Toss them in the blender directly and pulse a few time to get a coarse mixture – not one that’s blended like a paste!
3. Use a Good Quality Food Processor
Using a high speed blender where you can blend or pulse flexibly is important. I used Ninja Power Blender & Processor Ultimate System CB402 5-in-1. It’s absolutely amazing because I can use it to chop vegetables, blend smoothies, make dips and even grind dry spices!
Get $150 off with my code ‘BGVCB402’ – it’s honestly so worth it! (This is gifted, not a paid partnership) so genuinely recommending this highly efficient blender set.
4. Customize your Spices
I make my falafels allergen and gut friendly. Soaking chickpeas for such a long period can eliminate the components that contribute to gas and bloating. However, if you have severe gut issues, I would suggest to seek the advice of a medical practitioner.
Some of the other ingredients I’ve excluded are onions and garlic. Instead, I made them extra nutritious by adding brown rice, carrots, parsley, spices, lemon juice, and the green parts of the spring onion! That way, you don’t compromise on flavour but yet add a healthy boost to your new favourite protein dish.
This recipe is also entirely gluten free!
Easy Vegan Falafels
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry chickpeas
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 cup parsley
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup spring onions
- 2 tsp dried dill
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1 tbsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tbsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp chili powder or flakes
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp onion and garlic powder
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- salt
- oil for frying
Vegan Tzatziki
- 300 g silken tofu
- 1/2 japanese cucumber
- 1 tsp dill
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- salt
Instructions
- Soak your chickpeas in double the amount of water and let it sit for 18 to 24 hours.
- Grate your cucumber before preparing the falafels and add some salt.
- Rinse and drain the chickpeas. Add to a food processor and pulse until they are blended to coarse grains.
- Blend your carrots, parsley, brown rice and spring onions separately.
- Combine the mixture with the chickpea mixture. Add all of your spices and give them a good mix until well combined.
- Form small balls with your hand of around 1.5cm in diameter and press them gently to flatten them.
- Add oil to a pan and wait for it to heat up. Lower your patties in the oil to fry them. After a few minutes, flip them until they fried to a nice brown colour.
- Take them off the heat and place on a tissue to drain the excess oil.
- Drain the excess water from your cucumber and pat with a dry towel.
- Combine your ingredients needed for the Vegan Tzatziki. Add the grated cucumber and give it a good mix.
- Serve falafels with Vegan Tzatziki and roasted green peppers (I used shishito peppers) Enjoy!