📖 Instructions

1. First, drain and rinse one (15-ounce) can of chickpeas thoroughly. You want to remove any excess liquid. This step is crucial for creating that light and fluffy falafel texture.
2. Next, add the chickpeas to a food processor or blender along with 1/2 cup of finely chopped parsley, 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, 1 small finely chopped onion (about 1/4 cup), 2 cloves garlic (minced, of course!), 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until you have a coarse but somewhat smooth mixture. It shouldn't be completely pureed, but there shouldn't be any large chunks of chickpeas either. Trust me, you'll know it when it's right.
3. Now, form the falafel balls. Using a tablespoon or your hands (whichever works for you!), scoop out small portions of the mixture and roll them into balls, roughly 1-inch in diameter. A little tip here: you may find the mixture a bit sticky—that's totally normal! Just lightly moisten your hands with water occasionally to keep the mixture from sticking to your hands too much.
4. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up (a must!). Then, place your falafel balls evenly on the baking sheet, ensuring that they're not overcrowding each other. Overcrowding will lead to steams instead of nice crispy falafel balls.
5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The falafel should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. Keep an eye on them, ovens can be tricky! You know you are a true falafel aficionado when you can spot the perfect level of golden-brownness.
6. While your falafel is baking, let's make the amazing lemon-tahini dressing! In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best!), 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and creamy. If you find it too thick, simply add a bit more water, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
7. Once your falafel is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Then, drizzle generously with the lemon-tahini dressing and dig in! Seriously, it's so good you may want to do a little happy dance after your first bite.
8. Tip: Don't be afraid to get creative! You can add other spices or herbs to the falafel mixture, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, or even some fresh mint. The possibilities are endless!