What Is Falafel? (Origin, Ingredients, Recipe)

Falafel is one of the easiest and tastiest foods in the Middle East. Iran is one of the countries in the Middle East, which has many restaurants serving Falafel. Literally, in every district of every city in Iran, there are small shops that sell Falafel sandwiches with some side dishes and toppings such as pickles, tomatoes, sauce, and so on. Now let’s find out more about this tasty food and see what is a Falafel made of.

What Is Falafel?

Falafel is a fast food in the Middle East, which is a mixture of chickpeas, herbs, and spices. This tasty Middle Eastern dish can be a great meal for vegetarians who look for easy and delicious meals with no meat. It can be served hot or cold with various topping choices according to your preferences. In Iran, you mostly find Falafel wraps. You get your bread and Falafels, and you’re free to choose whatever toppings you like for your sandwich.

Falafel Origin

Most probably, Falafel origin country is Egypt. Back then, Falafel was made of fava beans, but later on, as the food migrated northward, chickpeas were used instead. In Iran, Falafel is considered a popular street food. You can easily spot numerous Falafel shops located in almost every city across the country.

The aroma of freshly fried Falafel balls garnished with a variety of colorful toppings is a common sight that fills the streets, tempting passersby to indulge in this delicious Middle Eastern dish.

Falafel Recipe

The Falafel ingredients you need for making this tasty dish are dried chickpeas and herbs such as fresh parsley, cilantro, dill, onion, and garlic. When it comes to Middle Eastern food, you know they’re full of spices. To make it, you need coriander, cumin, and cayenne pepper.

Easy Falafel Recipe

One important thing you need to keep in mind is to soak the dried chickpeas for 24 hours. Then when is time to cook you should dry them very well.

Once you have all the ingredients, you will need to add them to a food processor. Make sure to pulse the mixture until it is finely ground. When it starts to resemble a coarse meal, you’ll know that it’s ready to use in your recipe. Transfer the mixture into a bowl, then cover and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Once the Falafel mixture has been plenty chilled, all you need to do is scoop golf ball-sized balls and form them into patties. After that, drop them one by one into the heated oil you prepared beforehand. After frying for 3-5 minutes, the outside should be medium brown, and finally, your Falafel is ready!

Is Falafel Healthy?

Falafel is a delicious and popular Middle Eastern food that may appear unhealthy at first, but it is actually a highly nutritious food choice that offers a range of benefits. Falafel made primarily from chickpeas, is a rich source of fiber, protein, and many micronutrients. The high fiber content in this delicious meal helps to slow down the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

Additionally, Falafel is low in calories and fat, making it a great food choice for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. It’s always best to prepare Falafel at home and avoid frying it. Instead of using the traditional frying method, you can bake it in the oven. This way, the Falafel will retain its nutritional value and won’t be loaded with unhealthy fats and extra calories that come from deep-frying.

Make Falafel at Home

Baking Falafel is a healthier option and still provides a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft. So, if you want to enjoy this Middle Eastern delicacy, it’s best to bake it at home. Whether you’re a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine or just looking for a healthy and tasty meal option, Falafel is worth considering!

Last Words

Falafel is a fantastic Middle Eastern dish you should at least try once in your life. You can try some of the best Falafel sandwiches in Iran and become a Falafel fan for the rest of your life. Since now you know Falafel can also be a healthy meal included in your diet, why not try making homemade Falafel for yourself? Guaranteed, you will love the taste!

Are you planning to travel to Iran? Check out our Iran tours and Iran food tour.