Homemade Lebanese Falafel Recipe with Tahini Yogurt (2024)

Published: Feb 20, 2019 · Modified: Feb 3, 2022 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 47 Comments

Learn how to make homemade Lebanese falafel recipe with dried chickpeas, loads of fresh herbs and warm spices. Serve with creamy tahini yogurt.

If I could live in any cuisine for the rest of my life, it would be Middle Eastern. Of course I am retracting myself as I write this because in my little bio page I talk about how I can live in Chianti and red wine for the rest of my life and be happy. So, if there were 2 cuisines I had to choose from, Italian and Middle Eastern would be it.

I grew up on a lot of ethnic foods, especially Sephardic cuisine, but falafel never made a huge appearance growing up. I would have it here and there when I would stop in the Mediterranean markets and now that I'm older, it's the first thing I order whenever we eat Middle Eastern. See, falafel has simple but intense flavors. Chickpeas or fava beans with fresh herbs and spices, that's it!

Can you make falafel with canned chickpeas?

I always have canned beans in the house but with falafel, dry is best and I wouldn't recommend making falafel with canned chickpeas. The texture ultimately changes and because canned chickpeas are so soft, you would need to add a lot more flour to hold the batter together.

After dried chickpeas are soaked and fried, the falafel becomes incredibly crisp on the outside and tender in the middle. You wouldn't get that satisfaction with canned chickpeas.

Authentic Falafel Recipe is easy to make with a few key steps.

What I love so much about falafel is how easy it is! The only preparation you have to do is soak beans overnight. Which is pretty cool to see. The beans are small and hard but once they soak up all the liquid they expand to double its size! I also love the flavor combo! Fresh and leafy greens like parsley and cilantro dye the fritters pale green and cumin and coriander provide smoky and deep flavor. These are some f my favorite flavor combinations!...I'm getting hungry just writing about this!

How to make traditional falafel recipe:

1) Soak dried chickpeas overnight in a large bowl filled with water.

2) The next day, drain the chickpeas and pulse in a food processor until crumbly and there are no whole chickpeas left. Transfer to a large bowl.

3) In the same food processor, pulse together the onion, garlic, parsley and cilantro. Pulse until it almost looks like a paste. Add parsley mixture to beans.

See Also

Vegan Recipe Ideas for ThanksgivingKhinkali Recipe: Georgian Dumplings with MeatSeared Sea Scallops with Gingered Pea Purée and Cilantro Gremolata Recipe on Food5230 Keto Meal Prep Recipe Ideas (+ How to Monthly Meal Prep)

4) Use a large spatula to mix the beans and herbs together. Add cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper and flour. Mix well. Add baking powder and soda just before frying. Mix everything well.

5) Heat a large skillet with vegetable oil and bring oil up to about 370 degrees F. You can test to see if the oil is hot by dropping a small piece of batter. If it sizzles, it's ready.

6) Use a large tablespoon and form batter into balls. I scoop about 2 tablespoons worth and form a ball between your hands.

7) Carefully place the falafel in the hot oil. You can fit 4-5 in at once but don't overcrowd the pan. Fry on 1 side until you can see it browning on the sides, about 4-5 minutes. Then flip over and fry other side.

8) The falafel should be crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. To make tahini yogurt, just ix tahini and Greek yogurt together.

9) You can eat alone with tahini or make a falafel sandwich with pita bread, tomatoes, cucumber, pickles and tahini.

Looking for more classic Mediterranean recipes? I have a slew of them! My family's recipe for fasulye (Turkish green beans) is always a favorite. You can also serve my homemade falafel with Israeli chopped salad!

More Falafel inspiration