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Golden-brown falafel patties with green herb flecks piled on a white plate, garnished with fresh mint sprigs on a napkin, crispy texture visible.

Authentic Falafel Recipe (Chickpea Patties), From Scratch

⏱️
👥 1 dozen or more servings

"Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these authentic Lebanese falafel patties are crafted from scratch with soaked dry chickpeas, fresh herbs, and warm spices. Ideal for street-style sandwiches in flatbread or as a vibrant mezze platter. Serve with tangy tahini sauce for an explosion of Middle Eastern flavors."

🥗 Ingredients (14 items)

Method 5 Steps

  1. 1

    After soaking the chickpeas overnight, rinse and dry them well (use a colander, then kitchen towel). Place the chickpeas in the food processor and pulse until they resemble wet breadcrumbs. Do not overprocess. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

  2. 2

    Add all the other ingredients (herbs, spices, etc.), except the bicarbonate of soda, to the food processor and pulse until they form almost a paste. Add to the chickpeas, mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (the longer, the better).

  3. 3

    Before frying, stir in the bicarbonate of soda, then heat the oil for deep-frying until quite hot. Drop the falafel mixture into the oil using a falafel scoop (see photo), an ice cream scoop, or two spoons. Fry until golden brown, then remove and drain on kitchen paper.

  4. 4

    Serve hot with tahini sauce (or hummus), tomatoes, fresh mint, pickles, and other greens of your choice.

  5. 5

    Here is the recipe for tarator, the tahini sauce: For about 5 tbsp tahini, add the juice of ½ lemon, 1 tsp garlic mashed with salt, and a little water. Gradually add more water until you obtain a creamy sauce. Taste and adjust the lemon, salt, and garlic to taste. Note: Shake the tahini jar well before using.

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