Family Meal Falafel

Updated June 18, 2025

Family Meal Falafel
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
4(185)
Comments
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Ingredients

Yield:Makes 32 pieces, serves 8
  • 3cups dried chickpeas
  • ½cup bulgur
  • 3medium yellow onions, roughly chopped
  • 3cloves garlic, peeled
  • 2tablespoons whole cumin seed
  • 2tablespoons whole coriander seed
  • 1tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2tablespoons finely chopped mint
  • 2tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
  • 2tablespoons finely chopped parsley
  • 2tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 1teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 to 2quarts canola oil
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

1800 calories; 170 grams fat; 13 grams saturated fat; 1 gram trans fat; 105 grams monounsaturated fat; 49 grams polyunsaturated fat; 60 grams carbohydrates; 12 grams dietary fiber; 10 grams sugars; 18 grams protein; 693 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the chickpeas and bulgur each in a bowl and add water to cover by 2 inches. Cover and soak overnight.

  2. Step 2

    Drain well and grind through the small dye of a meat grinder into a large bowl. Grind the onions and garlic through the meat grinder into the bowl.

  3. Step 3

    In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the cumin and coriander until fragrant. Transfer to a spice grinder and grind into a powder. Transfer the spices to the chickpea mixture, along with the salt, mint, cilantro, parsley and sesame seeds. Stir to combine. Mix in the baking soda and let stand for 30 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

  4. Step 4

    Heat a medium pot filled 2 inches with canola oil to 350 degrees. Using your hands, shape the chickpea mixture into 2-inch balls. Fry in batches for 3 minutes or until dark brown and cooked through. Serve with hummus, raita and pita bread.

Tip
  • This recipe has been reformulated because of errors in the original version.

Ratings

4 out of 5
185 user ratings
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Comments

Fell apart in frier, so I ended up baking them instead. They turned out well. Wish I could somehow have had more texture with the falafels; I pureed them too long in the food processor trying to get it all mixed.

In step 2, wouldn't that be "die" rather than "dye"? Or maybe it would be better to call it a plate or disc. I've never heard of a meat grinder dye. In any case, what if you don't have a meat grinder? What's the work-around?

A version of this uses rehydrated fava beans. Much better. Play with the amount. Roughly 3 cups. Herbs are equal parts dill and cilantro (12-14gram) and slightly more parsley (17-20g). Only other thing is 1 red onion. Coarse ground in food processor and add 1/4 cup garbanzo flour to 1/3 cup water cooked into a paste by microwaving 4 times for ten seconds each time (whisking in between). Blend paste into fava/red onion and herb mix, mold and fry at 340 for 4 min. Best you’ll ever have…

What are the oven temps and timing for alternative baking method? I would suggest holding out 1/2 cup chickpeas and adding to the paste whole before baking for added texture.

A version of this uses rehydrated fava beans. Much better. Play with the amount. Roughly 3 cups. Herbs are equal parts dill and cilantro (12-14gram) and slightly more parsley (17-20g). Only other thing is 1 red onion. Coarse ground in food processor and add 1/4 cup garbanzo flour to 1/3 cup water cooked into a paste by microwaving 4 times for ten seconds each time (whisking in between). Blend paste into fava/red onion and herb mix, mold and fry at 340 for 4 min. Best you’ll ever have…

In step 2, wouldn't that be "die" rather than "dye"? Or maybe it would be better to call it a plate or disc. I've never heard of a meat grinder dye. In any case, what if you don't have a meat grinder? What's the work-around?

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