If you’re looking to enjoy Mediterranean cuisine at home, make these crunchy homemade falafel pita pockets. They’re a must-try, bursting with flavor and a great dinner. Here’s a simple, step-by-step recipe for making this dish at home.
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Crunchy Homemade Falafel Pita Pockets | A Tasty Recipe Mediterranean Delight
Looking for a nutritious, plant-based, and richly flavored dish, crunchy homemade falafel pita pockets are a great choice. This Mediterranean street food recipe is popular in the US, featuring crispy chickpea patties, fresh toppings, and a creamy sauce, all wrapped in warm pita bread.
If you’re looking to meal prep for the week, this recipe will be a great addition to your menu, perfect for casual dinners and will never disappoint when welcoming guests.
If you’re craving something different, this recipe is a simple way to make the perfect falafel pita at home.
Why I Love the Falafel Pita Pockets Recipe:
- These falafel patties are golden on the outside and soft on the inside, with a great flavor and crispiness.
- They’re incredibly healthy, packed with fiber, protein, and plant-based nutrients, which can help fill you up.
- This recipe is customizable, as the pita is filled with vegetables, hummus, pickles, or tahini sauce.
- It’s a great alternative to takeout, as fresh, homemade falafel tastes far better and more delicious than store-bought or frozen falafel.
All the Necessary Ingredients:
Gather all the ingredients before preparing the recipe, so you don’t miss or forget anything.
Falafel Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight, not canned
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, for spiciness, optional
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour or chickpea flour
- 4 garlic cloves
- Oil, for frying (sunflower, vegetable, or canola)
Pita Pockets and Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pickled red onion, optional
- 1 cup chopped tomato
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup grated lettuce
- 4 pita breads, homemade or store-bought
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Tahini Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup tahini paste
- 1 chopped garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Yogurt Garlic Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 chopped garlic clove
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pepper and salt to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Soaking the Chickpeas
- Use a large bowl and place the drained chickpeas in it.
- Add plenty of water to the bowl and let it soak overnight, for about 12 hours.
- Drain all the water before using the chickpeas, but be careful not to use canned chickpeas, as they tend to be too soft and make your falafel mushy.
2. Preparing the Falafel
- Add the soaked chickpeas, parsley, garlic, onion, and cilantro to a food processor.
- Continuously blend until the mixture becomes coarse and granular, making sure it doesn’t become a paste.
- Add salt, cumin, black pepper, coriander, red pepper, baking powder, and flour in the quantities indicated in the ingredients and stir again until thoroughly combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for 50 minutes to 1 hour to help it stick together.
3. Shaping the Falafel
- Using a falafel scoop or spoon, scoop out small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls, then flatten them slightly to form patties.
- Place them on a tray to fry until ready.
4. Frying the Falafel
- Use a deep pan. Heat 3 inches of oil to 350°F.
- Drop the prepared falafel balls into the hot oil, being careful not to overfill them. Cook in batches.
- Fry for 4 to 5 minutes until crisp and golden brown.
- After frying, drain on a paper towel.
Tips: If you want to make your falafel healthier, air-fry them at 375°F for 13 to 15 minutes, flipping them once halfway through to ensure even frying on both sides.
5. Making the Sauce
- To make the tahini sauce, use the following ingredients in the quantities given:
- Tahini, olive oil, water, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Whisk them together until smooth.
- To make the yogurt sauce, add the ingredients: olive oil, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, pepper, and salt. Mix well.
6. Making Pita Pockets
- Prepare your pita bread by heating it in the oven or in a pan. Then, cut the pita in half and make a pocket.
- Now, pour tahini or yogurt sauce inside and spread it evenly.
- Stuff 3 to 4 falafel balls with cucumber, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. Top with the sauce and garnish with parsley.
Tips for Crispy Homemade Falafel Pita Pockets:
- Soaking – If you want the falafel to have the best texture, don’t forget to soak the dried chickpeas, as this creates a rich and authentic texture.
- Chilling – If you want to prevent your falafel from falling apart, be sure to chill them before frying.
- Herbs – Use fresh herbs in falafel; cilantro and parsley add a fresh and vibrant color.
- Doubling – Freeze extra falafel balls and then cook them in batches so you can have them ready for dinner quickly.
Serving Suggestion for Falafel Pita –
- For a complete Mediterranean meal, serve falafel pita with tabbouleh and hummus, which both look and taste amazing.
- For an American twist, serve with sweet potato fries or fries, and use pickled vegetables to balance the flavor.
Nutrition per serving:
- 400 calories
- 55 grams carbohydrates
- 15 grams protein
- 11 grams fiber
- 14 grams fat
- This may vary depending on sauces and toppings.
FAQ for Crispy Homemade Falafel Pita Pockets
Q. How can falafel be kept crispy?
To keep them crispy, avoid using a microwave. Instead, reheat them in an air fryer or oven, and serve immediately after frying.
Q. Can falafel be made in advance?
Yes! Prepare your mixture and shape them into balls. Store them in the refrigerator before use. Remove from the refrigerator and fry them frozen.
Q. Can I bake falafel?
Absolutely! Arrange your falafel patties evenly on a greased baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and bake at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through to ensure both sides are evenly browned.
Q. How to make falafel gluten-free?
Do not use all-purpose flour in falafel; use only chickpea flour or gluten-free flour.
Q. Is falafel gluten-free?
Yes!
Final Thoughts
Crunchy homemade falafel pita pockets are a nutritious and satisfying meal you can make any day of the week. Crispy falafel, along with fresh vegetables, is wrapped in soft pita bread. This recipe, along with a creamy sauce, brings a Mediterranean twist to an American kitchen.
Once you try it, you’ll be eating it again and again because this falafel recipe is simply amazing.
So, make it this weekend or tonight for dinner. Soak your chickpeas now and prepare it tomorrow and enjoy some amazing homemade filafel.