15 Quick Budget-Friendly Falafel Recipes

Classic Homemade Falafel

Falafel, a popular Middle Eastern street food, is a delicious, crispy, and protein-rich treat that’s easy to make at home.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
• 1 small onion, roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Drain the soaked chickpeas and place them in a food processor.
2. Add onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, baking powder, and salt.
3. Pulse until the mixture is coarse but holds together when formed into a ball.
4. Shape into small balls or patties.
5. Heat oil in a skillet and fry falafel until golden brown on each side.
6. Serve hot with pita bread, tahini sauce, or your choice of toppings.

Spicy Red Pepper Falafel

Add a fiery kick to your falafel with roasted red peppers and a hint of spice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 roasted red pepper
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Combine chickpeas, roasted red pepper, garlic, cilantro, cayenne pepper, paprika, and salt in a food processor.
2. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
3. Shape the mixture into small balls or patties.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry the falafel until they are crisp and golden.
5. Serve with spicy yogurt or your favorite dipping sauce.

Baked Spinach Falafel

This healthier version of falafel is packed with spinach and baked instead of fried.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• Salt to taste

Cooking method:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, spinach, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, and salt.
3. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
4. Form mixture into small balls or patties and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and firm.
6. Serve with a squeeze of lemon and tzatziki sauce.

Sweet Potato Falafel

Infuse your falafel with the sweet and savory flavors of sweet potatoes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup mashed sweet potato
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, sweet potato, parsley, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
3. Shape into small balls or patties.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden brown on each side.
5. Serve with a side of tangy yogurt sauce.

Beetroot Falafel

Add a vibrant twist to your falafel with nutrient-rich beetroots.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium beetroot, peeled and grated
• 1/4 cup fresh dill
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Combine chickpeas, grated beetroot, dill, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor.
2. Pulse until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
3. Shape the mixture into balls or patties.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until crispy.
5. Pair with a dollop of creamy hummus.

Carrot and Ginger Falafel

Give your falafel a refreshing zing with the addition of carrot and ginger.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
• 1/4 cup fresh coriander
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Blend chickpeas, carrot, ginger, coriander, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor.
2. Form the mixture into small balls or patties.
3. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until crispy and golden.
4. Serve with a side of mango chutney.

Quinoa Falafel

Incorporate nutrient-rich quinoa into your falafel for a protein-packed snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. In a food processor, combine cooked quinoa, chickpeas, parsley, garlic, cumin, and salt.
2. Blend until the mixture comes together.
3. Shape into small balls or patties.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden and crispy.
5. Enjoy wrapped in lettuce leaves with tahini sauce.

Cauliflower Falafel

Lighten up your falafel by incorporating cauliflower into the mix.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. In a food processor, blend chickpeas, cauliflower, garlic, cilantro, turmeric, and salt.
2. Form the mixture into small balls or patties.
3. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden brown.
4. Serve with roasted red pepper dip.

Zucchini Falafel

Add a touch of green to your falafel with fresh zucchini.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 small zucchini, grated
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh mint
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Blend chickpeas, grated zucchini, garlic, mint, cumin, and salt in a food processor.
2. Shape the mixture into small balls or patties.
3. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until crispy.
4. Pair with cucumber salad and yogurt.

Mushroom and Walnut Falafel

Enhance the umami flavor of your falafel with mushrooms and walnuts.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh thyme
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, mushrooms, walnuts, garlic, thyme, and salt.
2. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. Form into small balls or patties.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden and crisp.
5. Serve with a side of garlic aioli.

Broccoli and Cheese Falafel

Give your falafel a cheesy twist with broccoli and cheese.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup broccoli florets, steamed
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup fresh chives
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking method:

1. Combine chickpeas, broccoli, cheddar cheese, garlic, chives, and salt in a food processor.
2. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
3. Shape into small balls or patties.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry until golden brown.
5. Serve with a side of marinara sauce.