My friend, a culinary wizard named Esmeralda, once told me about her incredible falafel experience in a tiny restaurant tucked away in a bustling Marrakech souk. The falafel? Forget about it, life-changing! I've been trying to recreate that moment of flavor ever since...and I think I finally did it! This recipe is my attempt to capture the magic, and trust me, it's pretty darn close.

This isn’t your average falafel recipe—oh no. We’re taking things up a notch with a homemade sun-dried tomato pesto that’s so vibrant and flavorful, it’ll make you wanna dance. Think bright, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, fragrant parsley, nutty pine nuts, and just a whisper of garlic. It's the perfect complement to the crispy, slightly spicy falafel. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Falafel with a Sun dried Tomato Pesto

Name: Falafel-with-a-Sun-dried-Tomato-Pesto
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Frying
Ingredients: 1 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil); 1/2 cup Fresh parsley leaves; 1/4 cup Pine nuts; 2 Garlic cloves; 2-4 tablespoons Olive oil; To taste Salt; 1 (15 ounce) can Chickpeas (drained and rinsed); 1/2 cup Red onion (finely chopped); 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro (chopped); 1/4 cup All-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon Baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon Ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional); To taste Salt and pepper; For frying Vegetable oil

These crispy falafel, bursting with Mediterranean flavors, are elevated by a vibrant sun-dried tomato pesto. A recipe guaranteed to impress!

⏳ Yield & Time

Yield: 4 servings servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

📖 Instructions

First, let's make the sun-dried tomato pesto. Combine 1 cup of sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), 1/2 cup of fresh parsley leaves, 1/4 cup of pine nuts, 2 cloves of garlic, and a pinch of salt in a food processor or blender. Pulse until you get a smooth paste, adding 2-4 tablespoons of olive oil to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside.
Now for the falafel! In a large bowl, combine 1 (15 ounce) can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed), 1/2 cup of finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional, but adds a nice kick!), and salt and pepper to taste. If the mixture is too wet, add a tablespoon or two of more flour.
Use a food processor or mash the chickpeas until they're mostly broken down but not completely smooth. We want a little texture in our falafel! Gently stir in the remaining ingredients. The mixture will seem a little wet, but that's okay!
Next, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot enough (a small pinch of batter should sizzle immediately when added), carefully spoon or drop rounded tablespoons of the falafel mixture into the hot oil. Don't overcrowd the pan - work in batches if necessary.
Fry the falafel for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the falafel from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Once all the falafel are cooked, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to ensure they are completely cooked through and nice and crisp.
Serve your delicious falafel immediately! Drizzle them generously with the sun-dried tomato pesto and garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy with pita bread, hummus, or your favorite sides!

📝 Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the falafel mixture.
If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute with walnuts or almonds.
Feel free to adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your liking. For a milder falafel, leave it out completely!
Make sure to let the oil get hot enough before adding the falafel, otherwise, they'll absorb too much oil and become soggy instead of crispy