Falafel
Deep-fried balls or patties of ground chickpeas (or fava beans) and herbs — crisp outside, soft inside, and naturally vegan.
Quick facts
- Cuisine
- Middle Eastern
- Origin
- Egypt and the Levant
- Also known as
- Falafal, Ta'ameya (Egyptian, fava-bean version)
- Dietary
- vegan
- vegetarian
- dairy-free
- contains-gluten-in-bread
Typical ingredients
- chickpeas or fava beans
- parsley
- coriander
- garlic
- cumin
- onion
Frequently asked questions
- What is Falafel?
- Falafel are deep-fried balls or patties made from ground raw chickpeas (or, in Egypt, fava beans) blended with herbs, garlic and spices. They are crisp on the outside and soft and green inside, and are naturally vegan and dairy-free. They are served in a flatbread or pita with salad and tahini or garlic sauce, on a mezze plate, or as a side. Because it is plant-based, falafel is a reliable vegan main to put on a menu — just note that the bread it's served in usually contains gluten, and that it's deep-fried.
- Where does Falafel come from?
- Egypt and the Levant.
- What is Falafel made of?
- Chickpeas or fava beans, parsley, coriander, garlic, cumin, onion.
- What is Falafel also known as?
- Falafal, Ta'ameya (Egyptian, fava-bean version).
Related dishes
Döner Kebab
Seasoned meat stacked on a vertical rotisserie and shaved off in thin slices, served in flatbread, a wrap or on a plate with salad and sauce.
LahmacunA very thin, crisp flatbread baked with a spiced minced-meat topping — often called "Turkish pizza", though it has no cheese and is meant to be rolled, not sliced.