Smash Falafel Pita Recipe
This Smash Falafel Pita recipe offers a delicious and fresh take on traditional falafel. Made from soaked and blended chickpeas combined with aromatic herbs and spices, the falafel batter is cooked directly on Arabic-style pita bread in a skillet, producing a crispy, flavorful filling. Served with creamy tahini sauce, this meal is perfect for a light yet satisfying lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 12-24 hours soaking)
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 25 minutes to 24 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Falafel Batter
- 1 pound dry uncooked chickpeas
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ¾ cup parsley, chopped
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons coriander
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking and Serving
- Olive oil, for frying
- Tahini sauce, for serving
- Arabic-style pita bread
Instructions
- Soak the chickpeas: Cover the dry chickpeas with water in a medium bowl and let them soak at room temperature for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours, allowing them to double in size.
- Drain and dry: Drain the soaked chickpeas thoroughly under running water. Use a salad spinner or pat dry with a clean towel to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare the falafel mixture: Place the dried chickpeas and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped into pebble-sized bits. Add parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, and black pepper. Blend until the mixture forms a thick, coarse paste. Scrape down the sides as needed. This should make about 4 cups of batter.
- Heat the skillet: Warm olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot, but not smoking.
- Cook the falafel on pita: Scoop approximately ¾ cup of the falafel batter onto an Arabic-style pita bread, spreading evenly. Place the pita falafel side down in the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the falafel is browned and the pita edges become crispy. Optionally, flip the pita and cook for an additional 2 minutes on the other side to increase crispiness.
- Serve immediately: Remove the pita with falafel from the skillet. Top with tahini sauce and vegetables of your choice. Fold the pita and enjoy right away for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Soaking chickpeas for at least 12 hours is essential for proper texture and cooking.
- Drying chickpeas thoroughly before processing helps achieve the right falafel texture.
- You can add diced tomatoes, cucumbers, or pickled vegetables for extra crunch and freshness.
- Use a nonstick skillet to prevent sticking and ensure easy flipping.
- If desired, cook the pita on both sides to get extra crispiness.
- Tahini sauce can be homemade or store-bought according to preference.
Keywords: falafel, pita, chickpeas, tahini, Middle Eastern, vegetarian, skillet fried falafel, healthy falafel
Find it online: https://thehungrymason.com/smash-falafel-pita-recipe/
