Pan Fried Falafel Recipes

HOMEMADE FALAFEL (PAN-FRIED OR BAKED)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cover the chickpeas with 3 inches of water and let sit overnight. The chickpeas will double or triple in size.
• Drain the chickpeas. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and spread the chickpeas on top. Top with additional paper towels and press gently to dry. Allow to sit for up to 3 hours to further dry.
• Pulse the chickpeas in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer half to a large bowl. Add the herbs, onion, garlic, and seasoning to the food processor with the remaining chickpeas and process until fully combined and pasty. Mix into the chopped chickpeas.
• Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to allow the mixture to firm up. You can skip this step if desired, but the falafel will be more prone to breaking apart while they cook.
• If pan-frying: Heat 1" of oil in a large skillet over medium-high.
• Using a cookie or ice cream scoop, scoop out small balls of the falafel mixture, about 2 tablespoons in size. Once the oil is hot, add as many falafel to the pan as can easily fit without overcrowding- usually 4-5.
• Fry until crisp and deeply browned on the outside and cooked through inside, about 6 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess oil and sprinkle with additional kosher salt before serving.
• If baking: Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously oil a baking sheet and turn until fully covered. It should take about 1/4 cup of oil. Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of the oven to heat as the oven preheats.
• Using a cookie or ice cream scoop, scoop out small balls of the falafel mixture, about 2 tablespoons in size. When the oven is preheated, gently place the falafel on the hot baking sheet. Bake until crisp and deeply browned on the outside and cooked through inside, about 25-30 minutes, gently flipping once halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to absorb excess oil and sprinkle with additional kosher salt before serving.

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.

QUICK PAN-FRIED FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• Drop the garlic cloves into a food processor with the blade running. Add the parsley, cilantro and scallion. Process until the herbs are finely chopped. Add the chickpeas, lemon juice, cumin and tahini. Season with salt and pepper. Pulse until the chickpeas are finely chopped and sticky, about 20 pulses-you should still see little chickpea chunks (you're not going for a puree).
• Sprinkle the oat or almond flour over top. Pulse 2-3 times, then stir with a rubber spatula to fully incorporate the flour. Form the mixture into 12 patties (they should be about 1 1/2-inches wide and ½-inch thick) and arrange them on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Do Ahead: At this point, the falafel can be covered tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the vegetable oil in a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange half of the falafel in the pan, leaving plenty of space in between each. Cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until golden on the other side, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate and season with salt. Pour in another 1 to 2 tablespoons oil (as needed) and repeat with the remaining falafel.
• Serve the falafel in pita bread, or over whole grains or over lightly dressed salad greens. Drizzle with the tahini sauce and garnish with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced red onion and a sprinkle of feta cheese (if using).

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.