Falafel Waffles


I love falafel......little fried balls of goodness made with raw chickpeas and herbs.

Yes, I have used canned chickpeas with success, however, soaking your dried chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans) overnight, yields a more delicious and authentic falafel.

I think the best part of eating falafel is stuffing them into warm pitas with some Israeli salad, yogurt sauce, hummus, tomatoes, pickled onions.....the possibilities are endless.

Here, I saw a recipe for falafel "waffles", and any occasion to drag out my waffle maker, I will do it!


Instead of frying the falafel, you press them into the waffle maker and cook them.

I was skeptical at first, but they turned out crispy and delicious!  as if I had fried them!  

You can use your falafel recipe, or you can follow this one.  I don't usually measure the herbs, I love cilantro, so sometimes I omit the parsley.......lots of onion and herbs and spices.....and your soaked chickpeas (which are NOT cooked, just soaked).

The food processor and waffle maker do all the work!

Falafel Waffles:  (recipe adapted from Honest Cooking)

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas
  • 1/2 small onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves 
  • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro (I like to use more cilantro than parsley)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Soak the dried chickpeas overnight in a pot with water to cover.  They will expand and soften.  Do not cook them.

The next morning, drain them and add them to a food processor with the herbs, spices and onion.    Whiz a few seconds until sandy, yet smooth.


Spray your waffle maker with cooking spray and preheat.


Form the mixture into balls and place in the waffle iron, they will flatten when you close the lid.  Keep the lid down for about 6-8 minutes (you can peek to make sure they are getting nice and crispy).


I promise you will have perfect crispy falafel in the shape of waffles!!

Makes 8 waffles.

This is genius!!

Comments

jdb4dog said…
Genius! You've done it again.
California Sue
Patsy said…
This looks amazing. Thinking about the Falafel place in the Marais when I see this!!
no blog said…
Anita says, Just made these! Effortless!! thanks for the tip.