🌱 Homemade Falafel 🌱

Golden, crispy, and full of fresh herbs, these falafel patties are a deliciously fragrant treat—perfect in pita or served as a snack!

Preparation Time: 15 minutes (excluding soaking time)
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Servings: Makes approximately 20 falafel

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight; avoid canned chickpeas)
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped onion
• 1 cup roughly chopped parsley (about one large bunch)
• 1 cup roughly chopped cilantro (about one large bunch)
• 1 small green chile pepper (serrano or jalapeño)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chickpea flour (or other flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1️⃣ Soak the Chickpeas: Soak dried chickpeas overnight in a bowl of water. Drain well before using.

2️⃣ Prepare the Falafel Mixture: Roughly chop the onion, parsley, cilantro, green chile, and garlic. In a food processor, pulse the soaked chickpeas, onion, parsley, cilantro, green chile, and garlic until finely minced.

3️⃣ Season and Form Patties: Add cumin, salt, cardamom, black pepper, chickpea flour, and baking soda to the mixture. Blend until fully combined, then shape into small patties about 1.5 inches in diameter.

4️⃣ Fry: Heat oil over medium heat in a pan. Carefully add falafel patties to the hot oil, frying until golden brown on each side. Place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

5️⃣ Serve: Enjoy hot with your favorite sauce or in pita bread with fresh veggies!

Pro Tips:

• For smooth texture, make sure chickpeas are fully soaked.
• Adjust spice with more or less green chile.
• Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized patties.
• Test oil temperature by dropping a small piece of mixture—it should sizzle and float.

Nothing beats the warm, aromatic flavors of homemade falafel! 🥙🌿