Name: Super Crispy Falafel Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 15 oz garbanzo beans (( chickpeas) rinsed, drained and dried with paper towels. ); 1 onion (small peeled and chopped); 3 cloves garlics (peeled ); 3/4 cup cilantro ((coriander fresh) roughly chopped-You can use both leaves and stems and even roots. Waste not want not. ); 2 tbsp white sesame seeds (toasted); 2 tsp cumin (dried ground ); salt and pepper (to taste); 1 tsp zatar spice (dried ground (optional) ); 1 tsp coriander seeds (dried ground); 3.5 tbsp cornstarch; 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free dried ); 4 tbsp olive oil

Middle Eastern Feast

These super crispy falafel bites were the perfect addition to our delicious Middle Eastern Feast. Stay Tuned to HWC Magazine (Healthy World Cuisine) as over the next 4 posts you are going to learn how to make everything you need to make this delicious vegan Middle Eastern Feast. Check out this spread! We have also made Traditional Baba Ghanoush, Middle Eastern Rice and Lentils (Mujadara), Better than Store Bought Red Pepper Hummus, Easy Tabbouleh Lebanese Salad, roasted vegetables, fresh vegetables, pita breads and pickled vegetables.

Super Crispy Falafel Bites / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

Fun Interactive Dinner Idea

It is not required, but having pita bread bigger than your head to share with family and friends is the best. It makes for a fun and interactive dinner idea. Pita breads and Middle Eastern flat breads are the perfect transport tool to get this delicious falafel from your serving dish into your mouth. Check out one of our favorite ways to serve the falafel. We tear off part of a pita bread and slather on some red pepper hummus and then top with a falafel, fresh and pickled vegetables and inhale!

What is your favorite way to eat falafel?

Tips for Making Super Crispy Falafel Bites

We made our falafel with garbanzo beans (Chickpeas) in a can and dried them super good before adding them to our food processor. Keeping this dish dry is the secret to the crispiness of this dish. I know that many of the recipes call for soaked garbanzo dried beans and lots of hassle but we wanted to 30 minute or less version.

Another secret to the crispiness is dunking the prepared falafels in gluten-free dried homemade bread crumbs just before frying. The breadcrumbs give it a nice exterior crunch.

Traditional falafels have sesame seeds in the mix and that adds that toasty flavor and another dimension of texture. While we are on the topic of sesame seeds do you know that seeds, nuts and nut oils can go rancid? They can and do, especially in humid climates.

Do you know how you know when your seeds, nuts or nut oil have gone rancid?

They smell bad. Seeds and nuts smell odd and rancid as the oils start to break down. Sesame seeds should smell toasty and deliciously earthy. Always smell your seeds, nuts or nut oils before using them.

White sesame seeds can turn slightly gray in humid climates.

Sesame seeds should taste nutty and earthy and if they are bitter then they may have gone bad.

Some ways that can help preserve your sesame seeds longer is to place them in the refrigerator or freezer. If storing them in your pantry, be certain that they are in a sealed container and that no moisture can get in. The lesson here is always smells your sesame seeds before you use them.

A fun way to enjoy Meatless Mondays is with a quick and easy Super Crispy Falafel Bites. We like to make the falafel in the food processor in advance and then just take out a few to fry at at time. These Super Crispy Falafel bites are great for work lunches and picnics.

More fun Interactive Meal Ideas

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