Name: Falafel Balls With Tahini Drizzle Recipe
Prep time: 12 h 15 min
Cook time: PT-489574H48M33S
Total time: 12 h 45 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight); 0.5 medium onion; 3 cloves garlic; 0.5 cup fresh parsley; 0.5 cup fresh cilantro; 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 0.25 cup tahini; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 3 to 4 tablespoons cold water; 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder; Salt and pepper to taste

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If you have a soft spot for vibrant Middle Eastern flavors and crave something crispy yet wholesome, you are going to adore these Falafel Balls With Tahini Drizzle. This dish combines perfectly seasoned chickpea balls with a luscious, nutty tahini sauce that adds a creamy zing, making every bite a joy. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, appetizer, or meal centerpiece, these falafel balls bring a burst of freshness and satisfying texture that makes them an instant favorite at the table.

Falafel Balls With Tahini Drizzle Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays a vital role in creating that classic falafel flavor and texture. From the earthy chickpeas to the herbal freshness of parsley and cilantro, every component works together to deliver a harmonious dish.

1 cup dried chickpeas: Soaking overnight yields tender, flavorful falafel with the perfect bite.
0.5 medium onion: Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the falafel mixture.
3 cloves garlic: Infuses bold aroma and sharpness.
0.5 cup fresh parsley: Provides a bright, herbaceous note and vibrant green color.
0.5 cup fresh cilantro: Lends a fresh, citrusy lift that balances spices.
1.5 teaspoons ground cumin: Brings warm earthiness essential to classic falafel.
1 teaspoon ground coriander: Enhances the spice profile with subtle citrus hints.
1 teaspoon salt: Elevates all the flavors beautifully.
1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps lighten the falafel texture for a fluffier bite.
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Acts as a binder to hold the mixture together.
0.25 cup tahini: The rich, creamy base of the signature drizzle sauce.
2 tablespoons lemon juice: Adds bright acidity to the tahini drizzle, cutting through richness.
3 to 4 tablespoons cold water: Used to adjust tahini sauce consistency perfectly.
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder: Boosts the garlicky flavor in the drizzle.
Salt and pepper to taste: The final seasoning touch for the tahini drizzle.

How to Make Falafel Balls With Tahini Drizzle

Step 1: Soak the Chickpeas

Begin by soaking your dried chickpeas in cold water overnight. This step is crucial as it not only softens the chickpeas but also ensures that the falafel mixture binds well and cooks evenly. After soaking, drain the chickpeas thoroughly so they don’t make the batter too wet—this helps you get those crispy exteriors later on.

Step 2: Prepare the Mixture

Pulse the soaked chickpeas along with onion, garlic, fresh parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, and baking powder in a food processor. You want to achieve a coarse yet uniform texture — think crumbly but well combined. This step enhances the flavors as the herbs and spices mingle perfectly with the chickpeas.

Step 3: Add Flour and Chill

Transfer your falafel mixture to a bowl and stir in the flour, which acts as a binder. Then cover and chill it for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps firm up the mix, making it easier to shape the falafel balls and preventing them from falling apart during cooking.

Step 4: Shape the Falafel Balls

Using your hands or a small scoop, form the falafel mixture into golf ball-sized portions. Having uniform sizes ensures that they cook evenly, providing you that perfect golden crust and tender center that make falafel so addictive.

Step 5: Cook the Falafel Balls

For that irresistible crispy outside, fry the falafel balls in hot oil at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown. If you prefer a lighter approach, you can bake them at 375°F for 25 to 30 minutes, remembering to flip halfway through. Both methods yield delicious results, just pick the one that suits your preference!

Step 6: Make the Tahini Drizzle and Serve

Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, cold water, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until you achieve a silky smooth sauce. This tahini drizzle is the crowning glory of your falafel balls, adding a creamy, tangy finish that elevates the whole dish.

How to Serve Falafel Balls With Tahini Drizzle

Garnishes

Fresh garnishes like chopped parsley, a sprinkle of sumac, or a handful of toasted pine nuts can add a lovely pop of color and texture to your falafel balls with tahini drizzle. Don’t be shy about adding a few pitted olives or a drizzle of pomegranate molasses to complement the nutty sauce and herbs.

Side Dishes

Falafel balls pair wonderfully with sides like warm pita bread, crisp cucumber and tomato salad, or creamy hummus. A simple tabbouleh or pickled turnips also brighten the plate and balance the rich tahini sauce. These sides make for a wholesome, satisfying spread perfect for sharing.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve your falafel balls with tahini drizzle in a pita pocket stuffed with fresh veggies and a dollop of yogurt. You could also turn them into falafel sliders with mini buns or create a vibrant grain bowl by adding falafel over quinoa, roasted veggies, and drizzling with tahini. This recipe’s flexibility invites creativity!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any falafel balls left, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days and remain tasty when reheated properly. Keeping the tahini drizzle separate prevents it from making the falafel soggy.

Freezing

Falafel balls freeze beautifully. Lay them out on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. This way, you can pull out a few to reheat whenever a quick, flavorful snack or meal is needed.

Reheating

To reheat, bake the frozen falafel balls at 375°F until warmed through and crisp again, usually about 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible as it can make them mushy. Warm the tahini drizzle separately and drizzle right before serving for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I use canned chickpeas instead of dried?

While canned chickpeas are convenient, they usually hold too much moisture and can make the falafel mixture too wet and crumbly. Using dried chickpeas soaked overnight is best for authentic texture and binding.

Is it better to fry or bake the falafel balls?

Frying gives you that classic crispy exterior and moist interior, but baking is a healthier alternative that still yields great flavor and texture. Choose based on your dietary preferences or time constraints!

How can I make the tahini drizzle less thick?

Add cold water a tablespoon at a time while whisking until you reach your desired drizzle consistency. Tahini thickens when cold, so adjusting water ensures it pours easily over the falafel balls.

Can I prepare the falafel mixture in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the mixture and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before shaping and cooking. Just keep it covered tightly to prevent drying out.

Are Falafel Balls With Tahini Drizzle gluten-free?

Traditional recipes use flour as a binder, but you can substitute with gluten-free options like chickpea flour to make this dish gluten-free without sacrificing texture.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about biting into crispy, herb-filled falafel balls topped with that creamy, tangy tahini drizzle. It’s a dish that never fails to bring people together over good food and good vibes. I can’t recommend enough that you give this recipe a try—it’s as rewarding to make as it is to eat! Your taste buds will thank you.

Falafel Balls With Tahini Drizzle Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 13 reviews

Author: Lana
Total Time: 12 hours 45 minutes
Yield: Approximately 18 falafel balls 1x
Diet: Vegan

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Description

Crispy and flavorful falafel balls made from soaked chickpeas, fresh herbs, and aromatic spices, served with a creamy tahini drizzle. Perfect as a vegan appetizer, snack, or part of a Middle Eastern-inspired meal.

Instructions

Soak Chickpeas: Soak the dried chickpeas in cold water overnight until they double in size. Drain thoroughly to ensure there’s no excess moisture which can affect the falafel texture.
Prepare Falafel Mixture: In a food processor, pulse the soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, and baking powder until the mixture is coarse but uniform in texture, avoiding a paste.
Chill Mixture: Transfer the mixture to a bowl, stir in the flour to bind the falafel, then cover and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This will help the mixture firm up and hold shape when cooking.
Form Balls: Using your hands or a small scoop, shape the mixture into golf ball-sized portions, ensuring they are compact and even for consistent cooking.
Cook Falafel: Fry the falafel balls in hot oil at 350°F for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Alternatively, bake them at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
Make Tahini Drizzle: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, cold water, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and pourable. Adjust water for desired consistency.
Serve: Drizzle the tahini sauce generously over the cooked falafel balls and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Soaking chickpeas overnight is essential for proper texture; canned chickpeas are not recommended as they are too soft.
For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour or chickpea flour.
Falafel can be frozen after shaping; flash freeze then store in airtight containers for up to 1 month.
Baking is a healthier alternative to frying but may yield slightly less crispy falafel.
Serve with fresh salad, pita bread, or as part of a mezze platter.

Prep Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes frying / 30 minutes baking
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying or Baking
Cuisine: Middle Eastern