Learn how to make homemade crispy falafel in a cast iron skillet for a flavorful, meat-free meal that’s a staple in our home. These tasty morsels are a kid friendly food packed with nutrients and fresh herbs!
Falafel is a regular meal request I get from my family. And I’m not upset about it!
Homemade crispy falafel is easy, uses simple ingredients I typically have on hand, gives us a little break from meat, and tastes so delicious.
In a nutshell, it checks all the boxes for a healthy, kid friendly, no-fuss meal to serve my family.
I like to serve these tasty little chickpea patties with fresh sliced cucumber and roma tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamata olives, quick sourdough flatbread, and a drizzle of plain homemade yogurt. They’re really good on top of a fresh salad too.
Frying these in a cast iron skillet gives them the perfect crispy texture.
Why Go Meatless A Couple Nights A Week?
Here are our main reasons for eating meat-free meals a couple nights a week:
It saves money on groceries. Good, quality meat is expensive!
To give our bodies a break from saturated fats found in meats and replace them with healthier fats found in plant-based protein sources.
To explore new flavors and foods. There are so many tasty meatless dishes out there to discover and enjoy.
Tips for Reducing Meat In Your Diet
Think outside the box when it comes to protein. Our favorite meat-free protein sources are black beans, chickpeas, quinoa, oats and peanut butter. I use all of these as the main source of protein in lots of meat-free meals.
Simply use less meat and more veggies than a recipe calls for.
Shift your thinking about meat a little, at least for some of your meals. Consider meat to be something that adds flavor, not necessarily the star of the show. For example, top potato soup with some chopped bacon, or use that small bit of leftover chicken in your fridge to flavor a big pot of vegetable fried rice.
Try plating meals before placing food on the table. Add enough meat and veggies to each person’s plate so that meat makes up about 25% of the plate, and the other 75% is made up of veggies, whole grains, and fruit. For a nice graphic and explanation check out the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate.
Tools You’ll Need to Make Homemade Crispy Falafel
Cutting Board
Sharp Knife
Garlic Press (optional)
Food Processor (or blender)
Cast Iron Skillet (can use other types of skillets with good results too)
Spatula
Crispy Falafel Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped onion (any variety; I usually use yellow or green onions)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced/pressed
2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt (increase to 1 tsp if using dry chickpeas)
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (or about 3 cups of home cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans)
3 tbsp whole wheat flour
1-2 tbsp avocado oil (or preferred cooking oil)
Watch Me Make Homemade Crispy Falafel In a Cast Iron Skillet
How to Make Homemade Crispy Falafel In a Cast Iron Skillet
1. Coat with oil and preheat cast iron skillet(s) to Medium heat.
2. Meanwhile, chop onion and cilantro; mince/press garlic cloves.
3. Add onion, cilantro, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt and pepper to food processor and chop finely.
4. Add drained and rinsed chickpeas to food processor and pulse until chickpeas are chopped. The mixture should still be somewhat coarse, not smoothly blended.
5. Add up to 3 tbsp flour, so that the mixture can be formed into hand-pressed patties. If you end up putting too much flour and they are too dry, add a small amount of olive oil to moisten them a little.
6. Form mixture into small patties. Avoid handling too much, or they will crumble.
7. Place Patties in hot cast iron skillet, adjusting heat as needed. Leave plenty of space between patties for flipping.
8. Cook on each side 5-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
9. Remove patties to paper-towel lined plate to cool.
10. Allow falafel to cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Homemade Crispy Falafel Recipe Card
If you make this recipe and like it, be sure to let me know by coming back and giving it 5 stars!
Homemade Crispy Falafel
Learn how to make homemade crispy falafel in a cast iron skillet for a flavorful, meat-free meal that's a staple in our home. These tasty morsels are packed with nutrients and fresh herbs!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped onion (any variety; I usually use yellow or green onions)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced/pressed
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt (increase to 1 tsp if using dry chickpeas)
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 2 15-oz. cans chickpeas/garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (or about 3 cups of home cooked chickpeas/garbanzo beans)
- 3 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1-2 tbsp avocado oil (or preferred cooking oil)
Instructions
- Coat with oil and preheat cast iron skillet(s) to Medium heat.
- Chop onion and cilantro; mince/press garlic cloves.
- Add onion, cilantro, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt and pepper to food processor and chop finely.
- Add drained and rinsed chickpeas to food processor and pulse until chickpeas are chopped. The mixture should still be somewhat course, not smoothly blended.
- Add up to 3 tbsp flour, so that mixture can be formed into hand-pressed patties. If you end up putting too much flour and they are too dry, add a small amount of olive oil to moisten them a little.
- Form mixture into small patties. Avoid handling too much, or they will crumble.
- Place patties in hot cast iron skillet, adjust heat as needed. Leave plenty of spacing for flipping.
- Cook on each side 5-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove patties to paper-towel lined plate.
- Allow to cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- I like to heat up 2-3 cast iron skillets in order to insure good spacing between patties. If the skillet is overcrowded, it's difficult to flip them without them falling apart. You could also just use one skillet and cook them in batches.
- Try to only flip once to avoid sticking and patties falling apart.
- Over-handling these patties while they are hot will result in them falling apart. Once they have cooled a little, they hold together well.
More Healthy + Delicious Recipes from Our Home
Healthy Homemade Italian Meatballs
Cast Iron Skillet Fried Green Tomatoes
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I’d love to hear from you!
Give me all your best tips and favorite ways to go meatless!
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I’m a huge falafel fan as well! I usually bake mine in the oven, but I’d like to try out cooking them in a cast iron skillet. Yum!!
Yes, try them! I used to bake mine but have found I really enjoy the crispiness that the cast iron gives them. Using a food processor rather than a blender has helped the texture a lot too.
Oh yum, I went to Isreal two years ago and the falafel was amazing, but I’ve only tried to make it at home once! These look so good!
Oh what a cool experience, Hannah! These are really yummy, but nothing is quite like the authentic version!
I watched your your You Tube video and you are doing a great job! We grow cream peas here in Texas. Do you think I could substitute cream peas for chick peas? Keep up the great work! Thanks.
Thanks so much Caren! You know, I have never heard of cream peas! I have substituted white beans in before and they turned out well, but that is the extent of my experimenting with the beans. If you try them with cream peas, let me know how they turn out!
This looks both so easy and delicious, I’ll have to try to make those very soon!
Thanks, I hope you like them Anja!
I had no idea how to make falafel, and have actually only eaten them once! These look delicious, Julie!
Thanks Aly! The traditional falafel I have eaten is actually deep fried in the shape of a ball, and it’s absolutely delicious. For the home cooked version, I don’t have a deep fryer, plus I like that skillet frying doesn’t use much oil. I have even tried baking falafel before with pretty good results. My fave way is still cast iron skillet though!
We love falafel in our house! This recipe looks wonderful! I’m going to have to try it!
Oh, I gotta try these. I love falafel! Pinning this for later.
Hope you like them!