Zesty Authentic Herb Falafels (V +GF)
Ingredients you will need
4.5 cups chickpeas soaked (soak over night or for 24 hours) 650 grams
1 cup of fresh herbs (I used a mix of parsley, cilantro, and just a little bit of fresh mint)
1 cup of roughly chopped onions
3 tablespoons of chopped raw garlic
2 tablespoons of Spike (All purpose seasoning to taste, can sub salt)
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon cumin powder
1 tablespoon dried chipotle (totally optional)
1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast (optional)
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
2 teaspoons of black pepper
1/3 cup gluten free flour (can use chickpea flour or even regular flour)
2 teaspoons of baking powder
Method
1.) Soak dried chickpeas overnight. Cover the dried hard chickpeas in at least 3 inches of water above the chickpeas. The chickpeas will be absorbing water so just make sure you have plenty in your bowl.
2.) Rinse and drain your chickpeas and set aside in a large bowl. On a cutting board you are going to prep all your other ingredients. Roughly chop herbs, peel garlic, chop onions, get everything ready.
3.) In a food processor or high powered blender you can start adding chickpeas, onions, spices, herbs, garlic. (don't add flour or baking soda to the blender) You may have to do this in small batches and transfer to a large bowl, big enough for mixing. The consistency you want to see, is well blended. If you under blend then the falafels will not hold together. This is forgiving however see pictures for reference.
4.) Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl. Proceed to add gluten free flour and baking powder mix thoroughly with a rubber spatula or mixing utensil. I recommend tasting the batter for spice level. If it is bland your falafels will be bland so don't be afraid to deviate here with the spices.
5.) I recommend letting the batter chill for 15 mins.
6.) Take falafel mix and begin forming into balls prepping for the fryer or for baking.
Frying Instructions.
If frying use a oil with a high smoke point like coconut or avocado, do not use olive oil.
1.) Prep frying pan by covering with oil and melt on a low heat make sure you have your falafels ready to go to be fried, have a pan or plate with paper towels ready to go for when you transfer them from the frying pan.
2.) You can drop a little bit of the mix into the oil, if it sizzles you can start adding your falafel. Don't add the falafels to cold oil. You want them to fry and you want the oil to be hot.
3.) Fry until all sides are brown this could be 3-5 mins per falafel.
4.) Once finished cooking transfer to a paper towel lined baking tray. And great work, you did it! You made the most epic falafels of your life.
Baking Instructions
1.) Preheat oven to 400.
2.) Place falafel patties onto a parchment paper (can add a little oil to promote browning) lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 mins. Be sure to flip once you see browning 15 min per side, during baking. I recommend for baking to bake in patty shapes so flipping will be easier.
3.) remove from oven and let cool 5 mins before enjoying (:.