Delicious Falafel with Hummus and Pita
Published: 20/02/2025

Categories :Global . Main Dishes . Vegetarians . Vegetarian cuisine . Vegan cuisine
Serving size :8 people
Calories :350 kcal
Sugar :5.00 g
Fat :22,000.00 g
Carbohydrates :1,000.00 g
Protein :35.00 g
Cholesterol :0 mg
Ingredients :
Instructions :
1Soak the dried chickpeas in a large bowl with enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches, and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Let soak overnight or for at least 12 hours.
2Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas thoroughly.
3In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, chopped onion, minced garlic cloves, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
4Pulse the mixture until it reaches a coarse, sand-like texture. Do not over-process; it should not become a paste.
5Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the baking powder and all-purpose flour.
6Cover and refrigerate the falafel mixture for at least 1 hour to help it firm up.
7Once chilled, form the mixture into small balls or patties about the size of a walnut.
8Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
9Fry the falafel balls in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each batch for about 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
10Use a slotted spoon to remove the falafel from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
11To make the hummus, combine the canned chickpeas, 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, and tahini in a food processor.
12With the processor running, slowly add the olive oil and water until smooth and creamy.
13Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
14Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle with additional olive oil if desired.
15Sprinkle with paprika and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
16Warm the pita bread in a dry skillet or toaster oven until soft.
17Serve the falafel with hummus, pita bread, sliced tomato, cucumber, and red onion.
18Assemble sandwiches by spreading hummus inside the pita, adding falafel, and topping with tomato, cucumber, and red onion slices.
Notes :
- Chickpeas need to be soaked overnight or for at least 12 hours with baking soda to soften them for falafel preparation
- Ensure chickpeas are fully submerged in water with at least 2-inch coverage during soaking
- Use a food processor to achieve a coarse, sand-like texture for falafel mixture
- Avoid over-processing chickpea mixture to prevent it from becoming a paste
- Chilling the falafel mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour helps it firm up and makes shaping easier
- Form falafel into uniformly sized balls or patties for even cooking
- Preheat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) for frying falafel
- Fry falafel in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking
- Golden brown color indicates falafel is crispy and cooked through
- Use a slotted spoon to remove falafel from oil and drain excess oil on paper towels
- Hummus requires canned chickpeas for a smooth texture
- Add olive oil and water gradually to hummus mixture for desired consistency
- Adjust hummus seasoning based on personal taste preferences
- Drizzling hummus with additional olive oil enhances flavor and appearance
- Garnish hummus with paprika and chopped parsley for added flavor and visual appeal
- Warm pita bread before serving to enhance texture and flavor
- Assemble sandwiches with hummus, falafel, tomato, cucumber, and red onion for a complete meal
- Fresh lemon juice adds brightness to both falafel and hummus flavors
- Ensure all fresh herbs are thoroughly washed and chopped before use
- Minced garlic cloves add depth of flavor to both falafel and hummus
- Use a deep pan or fryer with enough oil to submerge falafel for even frying
- Serve falafel and hummus with pita and fresh vegetables for a balanced dish
Tips :
- Ensure chickpeas are soaked long enough; this helps them blend properly and improves texture
- If short on time, canned chickpeas can be used for hummus but not for falafel
- Baking soda helps soften chickpeas during soaking
- Rinse chickpeas well after soaking to remove any baking soda residue
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor; dried herbs can be used in a pinch but adjust quantities
- Pulse falafel mixture gradually; over-processing can lead to dense falafel
- Refrigerating the falafel mixture helps prevent it from falling apart during frying
- Test oil temperature with a small piece of falafel mixture; it should sizzle immediately
- Use neutral oil with a high smoke point for frying, like vegetable or canola oil
- Avoid overcrowding when frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking
- Use a food processor for a smooth hummus texture; a blender can also work
- Adjust hummus consistency by adding more water or olive oil if too thick
- For extra creamy hummus, peel chickpeas by pinching each one before processing
- Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice in hummus to balance flavors
- Store leftover falafel and hummus separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator
- Reheat falafel in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness
- Pita can be warmed on a stovetop or in the oven for a few minutes until soft
- Customize sandwiches with additional toppings like pickles, lettuce, or hot sauce
- To make gluten-free, substitute flour in falafel with chickpea flour
- Ensure oil is at correct temperature; too low can make falafel greasy, too high can burn them
- Serve falafel as a salad over greens with a drizzle of hummus dressing for a lighter option
- Experiment with spices in falafel, adding more cayenne for heat or smoked paprika for depth
- If mixture is too wet, add a bit more flour to help bind it
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3.5 from 41 reviews
Delicious Falafel with Hummus and Pita
Servingsize: 8 people Calories: 350000 kcal Sugar: 5.00 g Fat: 22,000.00 g Carbohydrates: 1,000.00 g Protein: 35.00 g Cholesterol: 0 mg
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