Middle Eastern food is one of my favorites (second only to Mexican). Kebabs, hummus, tahini in EVERYTHING, and of course, falafel. Falafel are basically deep fried chickpea balls, and they’re magical. If you’re looking for an easy falafel recipe or even just more plant-based meal ideas, keep reading!

Never mind that I once got food poisoning from a falafel in Israel (nightmare), I’m still wild about those crunchy, crispy balls of chickpeas, sauced with tahini and stuffed into a pita with the classic tomato and cucumber salad and pickled turnip.

Not being one to ‘healthify’ most of my recipes, I am posting this one using a shallow-fry method. Falafel are usually deep-fried (too messy), and sometimes people bake them (NO). If you have an air fryer, this recipe would probably be incredible made in it, so definitely try it. FYI I did a baked batch of these, and they turned out dry and weak. Don’t bother.

In the photo above, you can see how I stuffed this sandwich with the falafel (see how they’re green?), pickled turnip (bought a jar at my local supermarket), hummus, avocado, tomato, and sprouts. DEEEEEEEELISH! Messy, but scrumptious. Hey – isn’t every great sandwich messy?

I made these falafel four times to make sure they were perfect for you, and I think you’re going to love them. While falafel are normally the color of chickpeas, I added a bunch of herbs to make these a bit more veggie-packed, and the result was a pretty color and delicious taste. Score!

The recipe makes 18 falafel balls, plus tahini sauce.

What You’ll Need To Make Falafel Balls

  • chickpeas
  • flour or chickpea flour
  • baking powder
  • garlic diced
  • onion
  • cumin
  • salt
  • fresh cilantro and parsley
  • ground coriander
  • Oil for frying

What You’ll Need For the Tahini Sauce

  • tahini
  • garlic
  • lemon juice

How To Make Green Falafel with Tahini Sauce

  • In a food processor or high speed blender, process the cilantro and parsley until they’re in small pieces. Add the chickpeas and the other ingredients and process until blended and somewhat smooth (I like some small chunks in my batter for texture). You’ll probably have to stop the blender multiple times to scrape down the sides. This batter should be the texture of cookie dough.
  • Place the falafel batter into the fridge for at least an hour.
  • Meanwhile, make the tahini sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients, adding water to thin. While it stands it may thicken, simply add more water to thin again.
  • Remove the falafel from the fridge and roll into equal-sized balls (there should be around 18).
  • In a heavy frying pan, heat oil until it shimmers. Add the falafel balls, and cook, flipping once, until crusty and browned on both sides, Remove from pan and set on paper towel.
  • Serve hot with tahini sauce and yummy sides: pickled turnip, hummus, salad, avocado, hot sauce, tzatziki, pita, whatever.

Tips For Making The Best Falafel with Tahini

  • Don’t over blend, the falafel mix should be of the texture of cookie dough, not smooth like hummus
  • Don’t skip the baking powder, it adds leavening to the mix so your falafel balls are not super dense.
  • Want to change up the tahini? Add some fresh herbs to it if you have some leftover from the falafels!
Print
Green Falafel with Tahini Sauce

This quick and easy plant-based meal is perfect for anyone who loves Middle Eastern flavors!

Servings: 18 falafel balls
Ingredients
Falafel
  • 1 540 ml 19oz can chickpeas
  • 1/4 cup flour - can use chickpea flour too
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 4 cloves garlic diced
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt + more to taste
  • 1 cup each fresh cilantro and parsley trimmed, washed, and dried
  • Pinch of ground coriander
  • Oil for frying
Tahini Sauce
  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 1 clove garlic diced
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • Water to thin
Instructions
  1. In a food processor or high speed blender, process the cilantro and parsley until they’re in small pieces. Add the chickpeas and the other ingredients and process until blended and somewhat smooth (I like some small chunks in my batter for texture). You’ll probably have to stop the blender multiple times to scrape down the sides. This batter should be the texture of cookie dough.
  2. Place the falafel batter into the fridge for at least an hour.
  3. Meanwhile, make the tahini sauce. Combine the sauce ingredients, adding water to thin. While it stands it may thicken, simply add more water to thin again.
  4. Remove the falafel from the fridge and roll into equal-sized balls (there should be around 18).
  5. In a heavy frying pan, heat oil until it shimmers. Add the falafel balls, and cook, flipping once, until crusty and browned on both sides, Remove from pan and set on paper towel.
  6. Serve hot with tahini sauce and yummy sides: pickled turnip, hummus, salad, avocado, hot sauce, tzatziki, pita, whatever.