top of page
Writer's pictureAntonia Maguire

Perfect Felafels with Sesame Yoghurt Sauce

Updated: Jun 16, 2021


This recipe is pretty fool proof - but you can leave out the egg if you prefer a vegan version. The aqua faba from the can of chick peas might work as a binder, otherwise some soaked linseeds is a viable alternative! I have fried these rather than baking them as I fry very little food, and it does give them a fantastic crunch. Serve in some warm flatbreads, with crunchy salad with this yummy tahini flavoured yoghurt. V kid friendly too.

Makes about 20 felafels


Ingredients for the Felafel

400g chickpeas - either from a can, or soak a batch of dried chickpeas over night and then simmer them for 45 minutes and drain. You can use the excess for a nice Chana curry, or in a salad.

6 Spring onions, or one small onion, chopped

30g bread crumbs

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 cloves of garlic, crushed,

1/2 lemon - zest and juice

2 tbsps of fresh coriander, chopped

2 tbsps of fresh parsley, chopped

1 tbsp of tahini

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp cinnamon powder

a decent pinch of cayenne pepper, or chili powder

Salt and pepper

Rape or sunflower seed oil to fry

warmed flat bread or pitta to serve.


For the sesame sauce:

3 tbsp plain yoghurt

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp tahini


Method

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix. Working in batches, pulse the mixture in a food processor and season well. You can leave some of the chickpeas quite lumpy for texture. Turn everything in to a bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes.


Meanwhile, make the sauce and season well.


When it's time to make the felafels, use dampened hands to make golf-ball sized pieces and flatten them slightly. The mixture should come together really well but if it's too dry add a little more lemon juice or some chickpea water.


Gently heat the oil, testing the heat with a pea sized piece of the mix. Then fry the felafels in batches for 2-3 minutes. Drain them onto kitchen paper and eat whilst they are hot!Though they are also a really lovely healthy snack if you have any left over and will keep for a couple of days in the fridge. Hope you enjoy this delicious recipe - thanks Mary Berry!

Comments


bottom of page