Homemade Falafel with Tahini Sauce (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
01 -
2 cups roughly chopped white onion.
02 -
6 garlic cloves.
03 -
2 cups cooked chickpeas, drained.
04 -
1 cup lightly packed parsley leaves.
05 -
1 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves.
06 -
1 teaspoon salt.
07 -
1/4 teaspoon chili powder.
08 -
2 teaspoons cumin.
09 -
2 teaspoons baking powder.
10 -
1/2 cup all-purpose flour.
11 -
Canola oil, for sautéing.
12 -
Pita bread, for serving.
13 -
1 1/4 cups plain yogurt (full fat or non-fat).
14 -
1/4 cup tahini (sesame paste).
15 -
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice.
16 -
Salt and pepper, to taste.
# Instructions:
01 -
Pulse together the chopped onion, garlic, chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, salt, chili powder, cumin, and baking powder in a food processor until the mixture is well combined but still slightly chunky. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the all-purpose flour. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour.
02 -
While the falafel mixture is chilling, whisk together the yogurt, tahini, and lemon juice in a bowl. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge.
03 -
Once the falafel mixture has chilled, use a small ice cream scoop or spoons to form the mixture into balls (roughly 3 Tablespoons per ball). Flatten each ball slightly into the shape of a patty. If the mixture is too wet, you can add additional flour.
04 -
Set a large sauté pan over medium heat and add a liberal amount of canola oil to coat the pan. Let the pan preheat for 3 minutes. Add the falafel patties one by one to the pan, browning them on the first side for 3 minutes, then flipping them and browning the second side until the mixture is cooked throughout. Transfer the cooked falafel to a paper towel-lined cooling rack and immediately season them with salt. Repeat this process until all the falafel are cooked.
05 -
Place three or four falafel inside a halved, warmed pita bread. Drizzle the prepared tahini sauce over the falafel. Serve immediately.
# Notes:
01 -
Optional: If you prefer to bake the falafel instead of sautéing, refer to the recipe for Crispy Homemade Baked Falafel. For an alternative to tahini sauce, you can use a schmear of Greek yogurt as a cool and creamy complement to the hot falafel patties.