Falafel sandwich is one of the most delicious dishes that is known as an international dish all over the world. This delicious dish is one of the most popular dishes for several reasons, the reasons for the popularity of falafel include its quick cooking, very cheap price and being vegetarian.
Of course, because of this popularity, many versions of falafel have been created, for example, those who want to consume falafel in a lower calorie way can make falafel in the oven instead of frying it in a lot of oil, to see the complete cooking tutorial and step by step how to make falafel, stay tuned and continue reading.
🔥 How to Prepare Perfect Falafel: Soaking, Grinding, and Frying Tips
To make delicious falafel, soak chickpeas for a few hours and then grind them in a meat grinder with parsley, onion, garlic and spices. After adding lemon juice, salt and pepper, let the mixture rest and then fry in oil. You can serve the fried falafel with baguette bread and fresh vegetables.
📋 Ingredients for 4 people Amount of material
Ingredient | Amount |
🟢 Peas | 300 grams |
🧅 Onion | 2 medium pieces |
🌿 Coriander seeds | 1 teaspoon |
🌿 Cumin powder or black cumin | 1 teaspoon |
🧄 Garlic | 3 cubes |
🌿 Parsley | 50 grams |
🥔 Potato | 1 small piece |
🍋 Lemon | 1 medium size |
🌟 Turmeric and oil | Enough |
🧂 Salt and black pepper | Enough |
🌶️ Falafel spice | 1 teaspoon |
🌿 Spices for falafel
Falafel is prepared with a variety of spices, and each cook usually uses their own formula for flavoring falafel. Our recommendation is a combination of black pepper, dried mint, dried basil, dried savory, dried tarragon, and rose powder.
🍯 Falafel sauce
Falafel is usually served with spicy ketchup or mango sauce. Of course, in some sandwiches, a kind of homemade white sauce is also served with falafel. You can use the following instructions to make ketchup and mango sauces at home.
🥣 Ingredients
🥛 Plain yogurt – 1/2 cup
🧄 Garlic – 1 clove, minced
🍋 Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
🧂 Salt – to taste
🌿 Fresh parsley or cilantro – 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
🌶️ Optional: chili flakes – a pinch
👩🍳 Preparation
🥣 Combine Ingredients – In a bowl, mix yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt.
🌿 Add Herbs – Stir in finely chopped parsley or cilantro.
🌶️ Optional Spice – Add a pinch of chili flakes if you like a little heat.
❄️ Chill – Let the sauce sit in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes before serving for best flavor.
🧆 Nutrition Values of Falafel Sandwich
Nutrient | Amount per Serving (Approx.) |
Calories | 350–400 kcal |
Protein | 12–15 g |
Total Fat | 15–20 g |
Saturated Fat | 2–3 g |
Carbohydrates | 40–45 g |
Fiber | 8–10 g |
Sugars | 3–5 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Sodium | 400–600 mg |
Potassium | 600–700 mg |
Vitamin A | 15–20% DV |
Vitamin C | 30–40% DV |
Calcium | 5–8% DV |
Iron | 15–18% DV |
⚠️ Note: These values are approximate and can vary depending on exact ingredient sizes, preparation method, and additions like bread or sauce. The estimate assumes the recipe serves about 4 people.
Love falafel? Bring the taste of fresh, delicious falafel to your kitchen!
How to make falafel step by step
🌱 Step 1: Soaking the chickpeas and the importance of timing
To make delicious falafel, the first step is to soak the chickpeas. The longer this time, the better the falafel you will have at the end of cooking. The minimum time you should allocate for soaking the chickpeas is 6 hours. Usually, in falafel, the chickpeas are soaked for between 24 and 72 hours until they are completely soft.
➡️ Craving falafel? Check out our full food menu and discover your next favorite bite!
💧 Step 2: The effect of soaking on the bloating of chickpeas
Soaking chickpeas not only softens them, but also helps to relieve bloating. Preparing the falafel batter is very easy. After the chickpeas are well soaked, mix them with the other ingredients.
🧄 Step 3: Prepare the falafel sauce and necessary ingredients
To do this, put the soaked chickpeas, parsley, garlic, onion, coriander seed powder, potatoes, and cumin into a blender or meat grinder until the falafel mixture is mixed evenly. Adding parsley to the falafel is optional.
💡 Pro Tips: If you want tastier and more elegant falafel, we recommend using this aromatic vegetable. Professional chefs recommend using a meat grinder to prepare the falafel paste because a mixer or blender will thoroughly crush the ingredients.
🥄 Step 4: Adding Flavorings to the Dough
Mashing the chickpeas will cause the falafel to fall apart during frying, but it will not be completely crushed when the falafel mixture is ground. After you have ground or mixed the falafel mixture, squeeze the lemon juice and strain it through a sieve.
✋ Step 5: Kneading the Falafel Dough
Add the strained lemon juice along with some salt, black pepper, falafel spice, and turmeric to the falafel batter. At this point, after adding the flavorings, grind or mix the falafel batter once more.
🕒 Step 6: Kneading and Consistency
After grinding or mixing again, knead the falafel dough by hand for about 5 minutes like a battered kebab dough until it becomes completely consistent and uniform. Remember that the falafel dough should be slightly loose after preparation and should not be too stiff.
❄️ Step 7: The Right Time to Refrigerate the Custard
An important point at this stage is that if you have a lot of falafel batter, you can put it in a freezer and use it at the desired time. After the falafel batter is prepared, it is best to put it in the refrigerator for about one to two hours to make it more consistent.
🍳 Step 8: Preparing the Pan and Oil for Frying
Of course, if you don’t have enough time for this, you can fry the falafels right at this stage. Place a deep pan, such as a milk warmer, over very low heat and pour enough oil into it so that the falafels float in the oil.
🟢 Step 9: Molding and Frying the Falafel
This is one of the important tips for frying falafel because falafel is not like cutlets that you fry in a little oil. At this stage, fill the falafel mold with the falafel mixture and press the mixture well with the back of a spoon so that it does not fall apart during frying.
💡 Pro Tip: Form the falafel into a shape that will fit, pour it into the oil, and let the falafel cook slowly. One of the important points when frying falafel is the heat under the pan. If you increase the heat to cook the falafel faster, the oil will burn very quickly and turn black.
🛢️ Step 10: Drain the Excess Oil from the Falafels
Meanwhile, the outside of your falafel will be fried and the inside will remain raw. So do not rush in frying the falafel. After the falafel is fried, place them on a wire rack or paper towel to remove excess oil.
🥗 Step 11: Serve the Falafel
After the excess oil has drained from the falafel, place them in a serving dish and serve with baguette, tomatoes, pickles, and chopped lettuce. You can serve the falafel with mango sauce or ketchup.
Craving a delicious falafel sandwich?
Sandwich and market falafel
If you want your falafel to be like falafel sandwiches or sandwiches, you need to follow a few small but practical tips. First, the most important secret to making falafel tastier on the outside is to use a lot of onion and a small amount of potatoes, along with flavorings such as falafel spices, cumin, and coriander seeds.
Second, sandwich makers first grind the falafel ingredients once with a coarse grinder, then add the flavorings, and then grind the falafel mixture again with a fine grinder. This will make the falafel chickpeas smaller but not completely crushed. As mentioned above, pureeing the falafel mixture increases the likelihood of it opening up during frying.
Making falafel puffy and fluffy
One of the reasons why some falafel sandwiches are soggy is because they add baking soda or baking powder to their falafel batter, which makes the falafel too soggy. Baking soda has many harmful effects on the body and it is not recommended to use it, but you can add a little baking powder to your falafel batter to make your falafel puffy.
Falafel with minced meat
If you would like to make falafel with ground meat, add about 100 to 200 grams of ground meat to the amount of ingredients in this recipe. The cooking and preparation steps are the same, and the falafel should remain in the oil a little longer so that the meat is cooked well.
Freqently Asked Questions About falafel sandwich
How long should I soak chickpeas for falafel?
Soak chickpeas for at least 6 hours, but 24 to 72 hours is ideal to ensure soft and fluffy falafel. Longer soaking also helps reduce bloating.
Can I make falafel without a meat grinder?
Yes, you can use a high-quality blender, but a meat grinder is preferred for a consistent texture that prevents falafel from falling apart while frying.
How can I make low-calorie falafel?
Bake falafel in the oven instead of deep-frying. This reduces oil content while keeping the falafel crispy and flavorful.
What spices are essential for authentic falafel flavor?
Key spices include cumin, coriander, garlic, falafel spice mix, turmeric, and optional herbs like parsley. Adjust according to taste.
Can I prepare falafel in advance?
Yes, after preparing the falafel mixture, refrigerate it for 1–2 hours. You can also freeze portions for later use.
What sauces go best with falafel?
Popular sauces include tahini, spicy ketchup, mango sauce, or a simple homemade white sauce. They complement the crispy falafel perfectly.
How do I keep falafel from becoming soggy?
Fry falafel slowly over low heat, avoid overcrowding the pan, and drain excess oil on a wire rack or paper towel. Avoid adding baking soda excessively.
Can I add meat to falafel?
Yes, adding 100–200 grams of ground meat to the mixture works, but the falafel may need slightly longer frying to ensure the meat is fully cooked.
What bread is best for falafel sandwiches?
Pita bread or baguette works best. They hold the falafel, vegetables, and sauces without breaking apart.
How can I make falafel fluffy and puffy?
Avoid over-pureeing the chickpeas, use minimal potato, and optionally add a small amount of baking powder to the batter for puffiness.
