Authentic Falafels
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon water ⓘ
- 1 1/3 tablespoons sesame seeds ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon white sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 pinch asafoetida powder
- 1 quart vegetable oil for frying, or as needed ⓘ
Instructions
- Place dried chickpeas in a bowl. Fill with water to cover; stir in baking soda. Soak at least 8 hours or overnight in refrigerator. Drain.
- Place soaked and drained chickpeas in a blender or food processor; blend to a paste.
- Pour water into chickpea paste and blend until smooth. Scrape down sides of blender with spatula if needed.
- Place sesame seeds, cumin, salt, baking powder, coriander, black pepper, red chili powder, sugar, turmeric, and asafoetida powder in blender with chickpea paste; blend until well mixed. Transfer chickpea mixture to a bowl.
- Chill chickpea mixture in refrigerator to allow flavors to blend, at least 1 hour and up to two days.
- Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 1 inch in a deep skillet over medium heat and heat to 370 degrees F (188 degrees C).
- Scoop up chickpea mixture by heaping tablespoons and form into balls the size of ping pong balls.
- Fry balls in hot oil until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
713
kcal
36% DV
Protein
Fat
Carbs
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).