There’s a certain charm in the simplicity and deliciousness of a falafel, making it an all-time favorite Mediterranean street food. These crispy, golden-brown morsels, packed with nutrient-rich chickpeas, aromatic herbs, and spices, have become a global sensation relished by vegetarians and anyone who appreciates good, wholesome food.
At Luna Grill, we’re all about celebrating this rich culinary heritage and sharing our passion for creating the best falafel that’s as delicious as it’s healthful. Ready to learn how to make falafel at home?
How Did Falafel Become a Beloved Dish?
From its humble roots, falafel has embarked on a global journey, earning adoration from food lovers worldwide. Deeply ingrained in Mediterranean tradition, these classic fritters represent more than just a tantalizing appetizer; they symbolize unity, weaving a thread through a myriad of cuisines and cultures.
Whether tucked into a warm pita, teamed with velvety hummus or tahini, or savored solo, the tale of the traditional falafel’s evolution from a modest street food staple to an internationally adored delicacy is truly remarkable.
Although traditional Egyptian falafel uses fava beans, we relish chickpeas’ nutty flavor in our Luna Grill recipe. While maintaining respect for the origins of the traditional falafel, our recipe caters to a broader palate, reflecting our desire to share this iconic dish with all who visit us.
What Ingredients Do You Need To Make Falafel?
Begin by assembling the following ingredients for your falafel mixture:
- 2 cups dried chickpeas
- 5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- ½ Cup fresh cilantro, washed and rough-chopped (stems included)
- ¼ Cup green onions, washed and rough-chopped (approximately three onions)
- ¼ Cup yellow onions, roughly chopped
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¾ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
The beauty of these ingredients lies not just in the tantalizing flavors they lend to the falafel but also in their nutritional richness. For example, soaked chickpeas or garbanzo beans provide an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, calcium, carbohydrates, and potassium.
The inclusion of fresh cilantro and other herbs boosts vitamin A and vitamin C content, while spices like ground cumin and coriander lend their earthy, aromatic nuances.
The secret to the best homemade falafel lies in selecting high-quality ingredients. Luna Grill is committed to freshness and quality, whether choosing soaked chickpeas over canned chickpeas or fresh herbs rather than dried.
Our gluten-free recipe, omitting all-purpose flour, embodies the heart of inclusive and authentic homemade Mediterranean cuisine.
How Do I Prep Chickpeas for the Best Falafel?
At Luna Grill, we recognize that the journey to perfect homemade falafel begins with top-tier chickpeas. This integral ingredient must be handled with care to ensure peak texture and flavor. Let’s explore the optimal preparation process.
Start by rinsing two cups of dried chickpeas, then soak them in water overnight in your refrigerator. This crucial step softens the chickpeas, prepping them for cooking and making them easier to digest.
If you’re crunched for time, you can expedite the soaking process by boiling the chickpeas in water for two minutes, then letting them sit off the heat for an hour. Don’t forget to drain and rinse the chickpeas post-soaking, ensuring they’re pristine for the next stage.
How Do You Create the Perfect Falafel Mixture?
Creating the perfect falafel mixture is an art in itself. It’s a balance of texture, flavor, and love — a symphony of fresh, hand-selected ingredients that come together to form our signature falafel.
Step One
Begin by adding the prepped chickpeas to your food processor. Add in the roughly chopped garlic cloves, cilantro, green onions, and red onions.
To bring in that authentic Middle Eastern flavor, add the spices — the earthy cumin, fragrant coriander, black pepper for that mild heat, and sea salt. If you enjoy a touch of spice, don’t forget that pinch of cayenne pepper.
Step Two
Now, turn on your food processor and let it work its magic for about 20 seconds. You’re looking for a coarse mixture that’s well combined but not overly processed.
Once done, scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and repeat this process twice more to ensure all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step Three
Once your mixture is ready, it’s time to let it rest. Cover it and refrigerate for about 45 to 60 minutes. This rest time is crucial for the flavors to meld together and for the mixture to firm up, which aids in forming perfect falafel balls later on.
Remember, the best dishes are those that take time, where each ingredient has the opportunity to share its flavor and transform into something delicious.
How Can You Cook Crispy and Golden Falafel?
Crafting the perfect falafel involves more than just selecting and blending top-tier ingredients; it’s also about cooking them to perfection. At Luna Grill, we cook our falafels in small batches to ensure each ball gets evenly cooked, achieving that irresistible combination of a crispy exterior and a soft, flavorful interior in our falafel.
Whether you’re a fan of pan frying at medium heat, deep frying in high-quality olive oil or vegetable oil, or air frying, the secret to golden, crispy falafel is meticulous cooking. After shaping the falafel mixture into balls or small patties, they’re ready to hit the pan or air fryer.
If using an air fryer as a healthier alternative to traditional fried falafel, preheat it to 375 degrees for five minutes. Arrange the falafel on a parchment paper-lined air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes.
Flip them over and continue to cook for another 20 minutes. Regular checks every five minutes are essential as air fryers can vary.
Depending on your frying method, you may want to drain your cooked falafel on a paper towel to remove excess oil after cooking. And, while we love our traditional fried falafel at Luna Grill, you might also experiment with a baked falafel version at home for a healthier take on this classic dish. Let your personal preferences and senses guide you in this culinary exploration.
Tips on Serving and Enjoying Falafel
The versatility of falafel ensures it can be savored in myriad ways. We recommend nestling these crispy morsels into warm pita bread, combining them with vivid, creamy hummus, garnishing with tangy tahini sauce, or pairing them with cooling tzatziki.
To add vibrancy and a healthful touch, serve your homemade falafel with a variety of fresh veggies. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a tangy balance, enhancing the overall flavors. These accompaniments intensify the falafel’s flavor and add an intriguing textural element to your meal.
Leftovers? No worries! Reheat them on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a preheated oven for 10 minutes, and they’re just as scrumptious.
Or, you can utilize the leftover falafel mixture to prepare fresh falafel balls or patties. There’s even the opportunity to experiment and design your own distinctive falafel dish.
In the end, the total time from soaking the chickpeas to serving the final product is a worthy investment for this delectable dish. At Luna Grill, our falafel is more than just a food item — it’s a story of authenticity, freshness, and community, offering a heart-healthy, cholesterol-free choice that caters to various dietary preferences, including gluten-free diets.
Experience the Taste: Falafel and More at Luna Grill
Crafting authentic falafel is a culinary journey we at Luna Grill cherish. We remain committed to our mission of inspiring good food choices. Using fresh, carefully selected ingredients, we believe in creating dishes that invite you to slow down, savor each bite, and experience food as a communal activity that brings people together.
Whether our famed kabobs or our crispyfalafel balls, every item on our menu reflects our passion for real food made from real ingredients. Always prepared fresh, our dishes embody the best of Mediterranean cuisine. We work tirelessly to reduce, eliminate, and avoid additives and preservatives to offer you a meal that’s as authentic as it is delicious.
We invite you to explore the flavors of the Mediterranean in our restaurants or from the comfort of your home. Whether you choose to dine in, use our local delivery service, or cater your next event with us, we guarantee a memorable experience.
And for those adventurous food enthusiasts, enjoy creating our falafel recipe or others in your own kitchen! At Luna Grill, we believe in making our kitchen yours. So let’s embark on this culinary journey together, one delicious falafel ball at a time.
Sources:
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans, bengal gram), mature seeds, cooked, boiled, with salt | USDA
