Crispy Homemade Falafel (Vegan Recipe!)

Name: Easy Falafel Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 745 min
Ingredients: 1½ cups dried chickpeas (aka Garbanzo beans); ½ cup fresh parsley; ½ cup fresh cilantro; 3 cloves fresh garlic (peeled); 1 medium onion (chopped); 1 teaspoon cumin; 1½ teaspoons coriander powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds; Salt and pepper (to taste, I used 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.); Oil for frying; Salt (to taste); ½ cup tahini paste; ¼ cup water (plus 2–3 tablespoons for thinner sauce); 1 lemon (about ¼ cup); 2 garlic cloves (minced)

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Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, this easy Homemade Falafel Recipe is one of those dishes that makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of a busy Middle Eastern market. You can fry, bake, or air fry them. They’re naturally vegan and gluten-free, so everyone can dig in!

Top view of a plate of crispy falafel balls surrounded by sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and parsley on a light background.

Falafel takes me right back to my childhood in Sierra Leone, when my mom always used to make it for us. My grandma taught her how to make them and she was always so happy sharing her mom’s delicious falafel recipe. Making falafel is quite easy, even though it sounds intimidating- using soaked dried chickpeas (never canned), fresh parsley, cilantro, cumin, and coriander for the best flavor and texture.

These falafels are crunchy on the outside with a soft, flavorful middle, and always served with crunchy veggies and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce, just like my mom and grandma taught me! Further below, I will also be showing you how to air fry or bake them for a healthier alternative.

If you’re all about fresh, flavor-packed Mediterranean dishes, you’ll also want to try my Easy Hummus Recipe or this deliciously fresh Honey Dijon Lentil Salad.

Recipe Overview

Skill Level

Intermediate

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

tips From my kitchen

Before You Get Started

Here’s what to know before making your first batch:

Fresh herbs are a must for flavor and that gorgeous green color inside.
Use dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight. Canned makes the mix too wet.
The falafel balls should be 1-2 inches wide.
What I find really helpful is chilling the dough for 30 minutes before forming the balls. It will help it hold its shape.
Keep the mixture slightly coarse so it holds together with great texture.
Make sure the oil’s hot before frying to get that crisp exterior.

Ingredients for falafel

Here is the list of ingredients for my homemade falafel recipe. Full measurements are listed further down in the recipe card.

Common Questions

Can I use canned chickpeas to speed things up?

I wish I could say yes, but canned chickpeas just don’t work here. They make the mixture too wet, and your falafel will fall apart. Dried chickpeas soaked overnight give you that perfect fluffy inside and crispy outside.

How do I stop my falafel from falling apart when frying?

Keep the mix from being too wet, add a little chickpea flour for binding, and if your kitchen is warm, chill the shaped falafel for 30 minutes before frying.

Can baking or air-frying falafel work without sacrificing texture?

Yes, but they’ll be a bit drier than frying. Make the mix slightly wetter, add extra herbs, and spritz with oil. Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes on a parchment-lined sheet, flipping halfway, or air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.

How to Make Homemade Falafel

Here’s how to get perfect results every time:

process shot to soak the chickpeas and blending all the ingredients for falafel in a food processor.

1️⃣ Soak the Chickpeas

Cover dried chickpeas with plenty of water, wrap, and soak for 12 hours, topping up water if needed. Drain, rinse, and let sit in a colander to remove excess water.

✏️ Fully soaked chickpeas give you light, fluffy falafel that stays together.

2️⃣ Blend the Mixture

Place chickpeas, fresh herbs, onion, and garlic (skip the baking soda for now) into a food processor. Pulse in small batches until the texture is between couscous and a paste, and it holds together easily. Transfer to a bowl. At this point, if you are about ready to fry, you can go ahead to the next step to add in the other ingredients. Or you can place the bowl covered in the fridge until ready to fry or bake.

✏️ Don’t over-blend. You want some texture for the perfect bite.

process shot making the falafel balls and frying them.

3️⃣ Season and Shape

About 8-10 minutes before frying, add spices, salt, baking soda, and sesame seeds to the falafel mix. Taste the dough and adjust the salt and pepper if needed. Knead to combine, then shape with a falafel scoop or small ice cream scoop.

✏️ Kneading helps distribute the seasoning evenly so every bite is flavorful.

4️⃣ Fry Until Golden Brown

Add vegetable oil to a deep skillet, enough to cover the falafel, and heat it up. Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes, until deep golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

✏️ Oil that bubbles all around the falafel means you’ll get a crisp crust and tender inside.

5️⃣ Serve with Fresh Veggies and Tahini

Whisk tahini paste, water (a little at a time), lemon juice, garlic, and salt until creamy and pourable. Serve the falafel hot with pickled vegetables, sliced tomatoes, onions, parsley, mint, and tahini sauce.

✏️ Serving right away keeps that irresistible crunch.

Platter of falafel balls with fresh vegetables and a bowl of creamy tahini sauce for dipping.

How to make in the air fryer

If you would like these falafels air-fried instead, you can follow these simple steps instead.

Make the falafel mix: Follow the same steps to make the falafel mix in the food processor. I recommend you chill the falafel dough for 20-30 minutes before forming the balls.
Form the falafel balls: there are different ways to form these falafels into balls or patties. If you have a falafel scooper, you can use it. Or you can use an ice cream scoop or your hands. The balls should be 1-2 inches wide and no more than that.
Preheat the air fryer: Set to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for a few minutes.
Oil the air fryer basket and falafels: I like to spray some oil on the air fryer basket to prevent the falafel from sticking. Place the falafel balls in the air fryer basket and spray with a bit of avocado oil.
Air fry: Work in batches here. Space the falafel balls in a single layer so they aren’t sticking to each other, and air fry them for 12-15 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

How to bake them instead

If you do not have an air fryer and would rather bake these falafels instead, follow these simple steps below.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). You want the oven to be hot because it helps them crisp up nicely.
Follow the same steps in the recipe card to make the falafel dough right until the step to fry them.
Form the falafel balls, and place them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Spray the falafel balls lightly with avocado oil spray and bake them for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should be golden brown and firm on the outside, soft inside.

Variations & Tips

→ Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra warmth and depth.

→ Make mini falafel by rolling smaller balls for appetizers or mezze platters. They cook faster and are great for dipping.

→ Add a handful of fresh mint along with the parsley and cilantro for a brighter flavor.

→ Try falafel over a big salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a drizzle of tahini dressing for a lighter meal.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Fridge: Store cooked falafel in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked falafel in a single layer, then transfer to a bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or give them a quick microwave zap for a softer texture.
Make Ahead: Prep the falafel mix a day ahead, cover, and chill until ready to shape and fry. Tahini sauce keeps up to 3 days in the fridge – just give it a good whisk before serving.

Close-up of golden-brown fried falafel balls piled on a plate with fresh cucumber and tomato slices.

What to serve with falafel

Falafel is hearty and satisfying on its own, but pairing it with fresh, flavorful sides makes the meal even better. A drizzle of Lebanese Garlic Sauce is also incredible here for an extra punch of flavor, or instead of the tahini sauce.

Here are some of my favorite sides to serve alongside falafel:

Easy Falafel Recipe

Before You Get Started

Ingredients for falafel

Common Questions