Falafel

If you ask someone from the Middle East what their favorite food is, there's a good chance they'll say falafel. This delicious fried treat is made from ground chickpeas or fava beans and is typically served in a pita with fresh veggies and tahini sauce. But where did falafel come from?

There are a few theories about the origins of falafel. Some say it originated in Egypt, while others claim it was invented in Palestine. The most popular theory, however, is that falafel was first created in Yemen.

The earliest recorded mention of falafel comes from an Egyptian text from the 13th century. This text describes a dish made from fava beans that was fried and served with vinegar.

Advice

When making falafel, it is important to use very finely ground chickpeas. This helps to create a consistent texture throughout the falafel. Additionally, it is important to use enough oil in the mixture so that it binds together and holds its shape. Additionally, to ensure the falafel is cooked through, it is important to fry it in hot oil and cook it for a few minutes on each side. Finally, make sure to season the falafel generously with salt, pepper, and other spices to give it a flavor boost.

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Recipes

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Falafel

  • oil
  • cayenne pepper
  • lemon juice
  • cumin
  • coriander
  • salt
  • parsley
  • baking soda
  • black pepper
  • onion
  • chickpea
  • garlic
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Falafel

  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • cumin
  • salt
  • baking powder
  • coriander
  • salt
  • lemon juice
  • garlic
  • chick pea
  • tahini
  • water
  • all purpose flour
  • vegetable oil
  • scallions shallot
  • hummus
  • pita bread
  • onion
  • tabbouleh
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Fresh Herb Falafel

  • deep fry thermometer
  • cabbage salad
  • spiced green tahini sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • pita
  • baking powder
  • cardamom
  • garlic
  • jalapeño
  • parsley
  • cumin
  • onion
  • salt
  • chickpea flour
  • cilantro
  • chickpea
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Falafel

  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • chickpea
  • olive oil
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • lemon zest
  • onion
  • baking powder
  • cayenne pepper
  • garlic
  • salt
  • veggy
  • herb
  • hummus
  • pickled red onion
  • pita bread
  • tahini sauce
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Sweet Potato Falafel

  • cumin
  • chickpea
  • onion
  • coriander
  • salt
  • sesame seed
  • all purpose flour
  • garlic
  • lemon juice
  • parsley
  • sweet potato
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Falafel

  • aglio spicchio
  • ceci secchi
  • cipolle
  • cumino
  • olio
  • pepe
  • prezzemolo ciuffo
  • sale fino
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Falafel al forno

  • aglio un
  • ceci secchi
  • coriandolo un cucchiaino
  • cumino un cucchiaino
  • olio 'oliva
  • prezzemolo
  • sale fino
  • scalogno uno cipolla
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Falafel

  • canola
  • onion
  • baking powder
  • cumin
  • salt
  • cayenne pepper
  • chickpea
  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • garlic
  • all purpose flour
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Split Pea Falafel

  • pita
  • sunflower
  • onion
  • sesame seed
  • green pea
  • baking powder
  • salt
  • chili powder
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • parsley
  • cilantro
  • dill
  • garlic
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Bacon Falafel Bites With Hummus

  • aleppo pepper
  • canola oil
  • salt
  • english cucumber
  • falafel
  • olive oil
  • chickpea
  • garlic
  • lemon juice
  • tahini
  • tomato
  • boston bibb lettuce
  • bacon
  Smitten Kitchen

falafel

  • cumin
  • salt
  • chickpea
  • hot red pepper flake
  • onion
  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • garlic
  • vegetable oil
  • serve pita
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Falafel

  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • lemon juice
  • salt
  • chickpea
  • baking powder
  • cumin
  • onion
  • black pepper
  • all purpose flour
  • heat oil
  • garlic
  • pita bread
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Falafel

  • allspice
  • canola oil
  • black pepper
  • tahini
  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • za'atar
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • salt
  • cayenne pepper
  • onion
  • baking soda
  • chickpea
  • lemon juice
  • garlic
  • jalapeño
  • green onion
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Falafel

  • chickpea
  • cilantro
  • baking powder
  • chili powder
  • coriander
  • salt
  • sesame seed
  • mint
  • baking soda
  • pepper
  • garlic
  • oil
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Crispy Falafel

  • chickpea
  • salt
  • cilantro
  • parsley
  • onion
  • black pepper
  • cumin
  • olive oil
  • cinnamon
  • garlic
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Festive Pumpkin Falafel

  • garbanzo bean
  • apple cider vinegar
  • garlic
  • pumpkin
  • cilantro
  • tahini
  • cumin
  • ginger
  • salt
  • onion
  • water
  • cayenne pepper
  • coriander
  • maple syrup
  • pita pocket
  • maple tahini sauce
  • cucumber
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Easy Falafel

  • olive oil
  • cumin
  • onion
  • parsley
  • garlic
  • cooking spray
  • chickpea
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Red Pepper Falafel

  • deep fry thermometer
  • cabbage salad
  • spiced green tahini sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • pita
  • cumin
  • baking powder
  • hungarian sweet paprika
  • smoked paprika
  • garlic
  • onion
  • bell pepper
  • coriander
  • salt
  • chickpea flour
  • chickpea
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Kuri Squash Falafel

  • deep fry thermometer
  • cabbage salad
  • spiced green tahini sauce
  • vegetable oil
  • pita
  • baking powder
  • garlic
  • black pepper
  • cinnamon
  • onion
  • red kuri squash
  • ras el hanout
  • salt
  • chickpea flour
  • chickpea
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Falafel with Tahini

  • canola oil
  • cayenne pepper
  • salt
  • tahini
  • chickpea
  • parsley
  • coriander
  • cumin
  • pita
  • parsley
  • all purpose flour
  • onion
  • baking soda
  • lemon juice
  • garlic
  • garlic
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Air-Fryer Falafel

  • garbanzo bean
  • cilantro
  • baking powder
  • chili powder
  • coriander
  • salt
  • sesame seed
  • mint
  • baking soda
  • pepper
  • garlic
  • cooking spray
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Air Fryer Falafel

  • cilantro
  • baking soda
  • cumin
  • salt
  • jalapeño
  • garlic
  • all purpose flour
  • onion
  • pepper
  • chickpea
  • parsley

Ingredient Breakdown

 
salt
garlic
cumin
onion
chickpea
parsley
cilantro
coriander
baking powder
all purpose flour
lemon juice
black pepper
baking soda
tahini
olive oil
cayenne pepper
vegetable oil
jalapeño
sesame seed
pepper
pita
oil
pita bread
chickpea flour
mint
chili powder
canola oil
water
tahini sauce
deep fry thermometer
cabbage salad
spiced green tahini sauce
garbanzo bean
hummus
coriander seed
green onion
lemon zest
ginger
dill
ceci secchi
sale fino
cucumber
tomato
falafel
apple cider vinegar
cinnamon
cooking spray
cumin seed
chick pea
scallions shallot
tabbouleh
cardamom
veggy
herb
pickled red onion
sweet potato
carrot
lemon
naan
lettuce
tzatziki
fava bean
red pepper
aglio spicchio
cipolle
cumino
olio
pepe
prezzemolo ciuffo
wheat flour
aglio un
coriandolo un cucchiaino
cumino un cucchiaino
olio 'oliva
prezzemolo
scalogno uno cipolla
nonstick spray
zest
nonfat greek yogurt
egg
arugula
quinoa
black bean
canola
yogurt
fennel seed
star anise
sugar
peppercorn
honey
green cabbage
thyme
marmalade
herb falafel
black olife
harissa paste
sunflower
green pea
aleppo pepper
english cucumber
boston bibb lettuce
bacon
hot red pepper flake
serve pita
heat oil
allspice
za'atar
pumpkin
maple syrup
pita pocket
maple tahini sauce
hungarian sweet paprika
smoked paprika
bell pepper
red kuri squash
ras el hanout

Insights

Correlated with Higher Ratings

  • parsley

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 47%
  • garlic 44%

Common Ingredients

  • cumin 42%
  • chickpea 39%
  • onion 39%
  • parsley 39%
  • cilantro 31%

Usual Ingredients

  • coriander 25%
  • all purpose flour 19%
  • baking powder 19%

Rarey Ingredients

  • black pepper 17%
  • lemon juice 17%
  • olive oil 14%