If you walk down any street in Saudi you will most likely find a shop selling Falafal. While living in the states many years ago, we always made falafal, then when we moved to Saudi we just ran to the corner store and bought some. It was sold in a sandwich or plain, piled high in a little paper bag! Yumm hot and fresh. In recent months the kids have been asking about making Falafal and so I went back to my old recipe and tried it. We made it several times to make sure it was just right and now Falafal is a must have around our household. I have taken to baking most things these days but I still fry Falafal for the kids. I have also made this new recipe and placed it in the oven for baking, so both are listed.
* This recipe does need planning so it isn’t something you can make in an hour or two!
Ingredients
3 cups dry garbanzo beans
2-3 bunches parsley, depending on size of bunch
1 small onion
6 garlic cloves
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
dash Cayenne pepper
1 Tbs. baking powder
2 tsp. salt–estimate
4 Tbs. flour
Directions
Place garbanzo beans in a bowl and cover with plenty of cold water, soak for 8-12 hours. When they have finished soaking, drain the water and rinse the beans well, drain the water again. Wash and chop fresh parsley into big chunks. Chop onion and prepare garlic.
I use my grinder attachment to my mixer. Put the garbanzo beans, parsley, onions and garlic through the grinder twice. Mix with a spoon and add spices, baking powder and flour. Mix spices in very well and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Deep frying
Heat oil in a pan as you would for deep frying other foods such as potatoes. There is a special little kitchen implement that is used for forming falafal but you can just roll it into a ball and flatten slightly if desired. Fry Falafal until brown and cooked. Do not overheat oil so that the Falafal is too brown and not cooked. Remove from oil to plate lined with napkins or whatever you would use when frying potatoes.
Little tool for forming Falafal. The flat bottom piece is for smoothing it out and packing it down.
Baking
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spread a light coating of olive oil on baking tray. Place your formed Falafal onto tray, brush lightly with olive oil. Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes on each side, turning once. Oven temperatures vary so keep an eye on them and the cooking time.
Falafal is usually served in a sandwich with pickles and french fries. It also has a lovely yogurt tahini sauce.
Yogurt sauce
1 cup plain yogurt
4 Tbs. Tahini
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tb. lemon juice
2 cloves garlic
Place ingredients for sauce in blender and mix until smooth.
When we make our sandwiches we microwave the bread for a few seconds so it is more flexible. Spread a spoon of yogurt sauce on bread, add a few fries and pickle slices, break pieces of cooled falafal up and onto bread. Roll bread up and enjoy!
Hey Lynn, Thanks for your follows – I was visiting your blog and see how much I’ve missed out on. But I also wanted to say congratulations on being so popular. You certainly are good at keeping up with everyone. I seem to recall seeing mention of you doing some part time work. Have you started. I’ll be amazed if you can manage both:-) Hope 2016 is treating you well so far. Best. Chevvy
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I have just started taking substitute jobs for now to get out into the work force.
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Well good luck with that 🙂
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Thanks Chevvy!
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I LOVE flalafel Lynz. I must say with french fries is a new one to me but that’s kids right? I’ve never seen the tools and usually just make mine into balls and bake them. Love your recipe Lynz!
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In saudi they are served with fries and pickles lol inside
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Yikes!
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Quite interesting huh? This is the standard way but others make interesting variations! And in Syria as well.
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Very Lynz! I guess it’s a culture thing. Canada puts gravy on fries and that sounds yucky to me. 🙂
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that is interesting hmmmm!!! I can see chili and cheese gravy hmmm
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Sounds good julie! Out of the house so my comment cut off!:)
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I love a good home-made falafel any day & yours look extremely delicious! 🙂 MMMMM!
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Thanks:)
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This looks so authentic Lynz… thanks for sharing such wonderful recipe…
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Most welcome chitra!
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Woo-Hoo Lynn you won second place prize at Krystina go to my site or to http://www.kouzounakitchen.com! Congrats my dear friend. xoxoxoxo
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http://www.kouzounaskitchen.com or https://clwiser.wordpress.com typing too fast! xo
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xoxo
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wow so exciting! Thanks dear friend! xoxoxo
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Yum
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🙂
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I have been wanting falafels for about two months now – just lazy to move and get some. I think I will try this. Looks yummy 🙂
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Thanks!
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OMG my fav!!
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🙂 so glad you like it!
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🙂 🙂
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Hi Lynn, I am so pleased you have shared this recipe. I adore falafal and now I can make it myself, from scratch. I definitely will try the baking method, as you know me and frying !!! I am super excited now, and I must say it really looks yummy with the yoghurt sauce. xxx
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So glad dear lynne! xxx Thanks for much for stopping by!
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You are so welcome 🙂 xxx
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xoxo
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They look tasty! Adding the ingredients to my grocery list!
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So glad you like themxx
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Thanks Lynn! I’ve been looking for a good falafel recipe! And I trust you completely! I don’t have the tool 😦 my hands will have to do!
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Yes it is easy to either make a ball or flatten it out, you are an awesome and talented cook so it will be easy!
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Thanks Lynn:) I’ll let you know how I do!
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ok any questions you can call me for sure!
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Deal! 😉
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🙂
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What a photo! Love this! xxxx
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Thanks xx
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This looks amazing Lynz!
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thanks dear!
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I swear, fries pretty much goes with anything!!
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Yes for sure! Xx
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Have always wanted to make this, so thanks for posting the recipe. Would it be OK to use canned garbanzos instead?
Such a cute photo of your son!
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I know there are recipes that use cans but I have never done it. So I can’t advise you hahaha!
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LOL! I’ll do it the hard way. 🙂
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hahaha sorry dear! I honestly do not know, but know this is the traditional way and I think the beans give it a better taste and stick together better. I avoided making it for the past few years until my daughter kept asking! It doesn’t seem as bad as I remember hahaha!
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I am dying to have an oven… hehehe wonderful blog maam!! 🙂
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Thanks!
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I love falafal Lynn! I can’t wait to try this! Your falafal looks perfect 🙂
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Thanks!
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So excited to make this!
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It’s really fun and delicious!
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I don’t have a grinder… do you think a blender would work? Or a potato masher?
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I think a food processor maybe? I read that online.
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Okay, I’ll try that! 😀
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🙂
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Hey Lynn. I just had to tell you that I tried your recipe tonight. Have I told you that my hubby pretends to be picky? But he opened his mouth and closed his eyes, just like a good guinea pig. He even went for seconds! We just ate them like chips, with a little bit of dip. Thanks for the recipe!
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I am so glad it worked out! Yeah!!!!! Wow brave of him! thanks for telling me! xxx
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He is getting used to me trying things out. He really has come such a long way! Happy Sunday to you Lynn😊
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That is wonderful! Happy Sunday to you too!
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