Impress your guests with these golden, crunchy falafel bites—herb-packed chickpea fritters served with creamy tahini sauce and pickled veggies. A vegan, gluten-free Middle Eastern starter ready in 30 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Falafel:
- 1½ cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)*
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 cup fresh parsley/cilantro mix
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- ½ tsp baking soda
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
For the Tahini Sauce:
- ¼ cup tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3 tbsp water
- ½ tsp salt
To Serve:
- Pickled turnips/red cabbage
- Warm pita wedges
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
1️⃣ Make Falafel:
- Drain soaked chickpeas (don’t cook!). Pulse with onion, garlic, herbs, and spices until crumbly.
- Form into 1-inch balls. Fry in 350°F (175°C) oil for 3-4 mins until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
2️⃣ Prepare Tahini Sauce:
- Whisk all sauce ingredients until smooth. Add more water if needed.
3️⃣ Assemble:
- Skewer falafel on toothpicks with pickled veggies. Serve with tahini drizzle and pita.
