Golden Crispy Chickpea Falafel (Print-Friendly Version)

Golden crispy chickpea balls with herbs and soft center, perfect with tahini or pita.

# What You'll Need:

→ Falafel Mixture

01 - 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
02 - 1 small onion, roughly chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic
04 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
05 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
06 - 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
07 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional)
12 - 1 teaspoon baking soda

→ Frying and Serving

13 - 3 to 4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
14 - 1/2 cup tahini sauce, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Place chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak for 8–10 hours or overnight until fully hydrated.
02 - Drain chickpeas and transfer to a food processor with onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, dill, cumin, cardamom, salt, and pepper. Pulse until fine and uniform.
03 - Transfer mixture to a bowl. Stir in flour (if using) and baking soda. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors develop and firm up.
05 - Wet your hands and shape the chilled mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands or a small scoop.
06 - Fill a deep pot with at least 2 inches of oil. Heat over medium-high for 3–4 minutes until hot and shimmering.
07 - Fry falafel in batches of 4–5 for 2–3 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove when golden and crispy.
08 - Place fried falafel on paper towels to drain. Let cool for 5 minutes and serve with tahini sauce.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Maintain steady oil temperature for consistent crispiness.
02 - For a lighter version, air fry at 375°F for 12–14 minutes, shaking halfway through.
03 - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–6 days.
04 - Reheat falafel in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 10–20 minutes for best texture.