Experience the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean right in your kitchen with this incredible Falafel Platter with Tzatziki Sauce! Bursting with crispy, homemade falafel, a refreshingly cool tzatziki, tangy feta, fresh vegetables, and warm pita wedges, it’s a meal that promises pure delight. Perfect for a casual lunch, an elegant dinner party, or a satisfying snack, this platter is designed to impress and nourish.
There’s something truly special about Mediterranean cuisine, and among its many culinary treasures, falafel stands out as a personal favorite. These golden, savory fritters are not just a dish; they’re an experience, especially when served as part of a lavish platter. This Falafel Platter with Tzatziki Sauce transforms simple ingredients into a feast for the senses, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors that captivate from the very first bite.
Imagine a spread featuring perfectly crispy falafel, an invigoratingly fresh Tzatziki sauce, creamy salty feta cheese, a medley of crisp, garden-fresh vegetables, and soft, warm pita wedges. It’s a symphony of tastes that makes it an ideal choice for any meal occasion – be it a light, fulfilling lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even a wholesome, flavorful snack to curb those afternoon cravings. This recipe brings the authentic essence of a Middle Eastern favorite directly to your dining table, making healthy and delicious eating an effortless joy.
What Exactly is Falafel? A Dive into This Middle Eastern Delight
Falafel is a beloved Middle Eastern street food that has charmed palates across the globe. At its core, falafel consists of deep-fried patties or balls made primarily from ground chickpeas (garbanzo beans), fava beans, or a delightful combination of both. What truly elevates falafel beyond a simple fritter is the aromatic blend of fresh herbs and spices incorporated into the mixture. Typically, finely chopped onions, pungent garlic, fresh parsley, and sometimes cilantro are combined with warm spices like cumin and coriander, creating a richly flavored interior.
The magic happens when these ingredients are ground together and then deep-fried to a perfect golden-brown crispness. The result is a bite-sized marvel: crunchy and golden on the outside, yet tender, moist, and wonderfully herbaceous on the inside. Traditionally, falafel balls are served tucked inside warm pita bread, often garnished with fresh vegetables, pickles, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce or, as in this recipe, a creamy Tzatziki. Its versatility and satisfying taste have made falafel a staple in vegetarian and vegan diets worldwide, celebrated for its unique flavor and fulfilling nutritional profile.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Homemade Falafel Recipe
While enjoying falafel from your favorite Middle Eastern eatery is always a treat, there’s an undeniable satisfaction and superior flavor that comes with preparing these golden bites at home. This particular recipe for homemade falafel is truly exceptional, promising an experience that will make it a regular in your culinary rotation. Here’s why you’ll adore it:
- Unmatched Freshness and Flavor: When you make falafel from scratch, you control every ingredient, ensuring only the freshest herbs and highest quality spices go into your mixture. This translates to an incredibly vibrant, savory flavor profile that often surpasses takeout versions.
- Perfect Texture Every Time: Say goodbye to mushy or overly dry falafel. Our recipe delivers that coveted crunch on the outside, protecting a beautifully soft and moist interior. The delicate mix of herbs and spices infuses each bite with a fabulous savory depth that’s simply irresistible.
- Incredibly Versatile: This falafel is wonderfully adaptable. Serve it proudly on a grand platter, as beautifully pictured, alongside a fresh, crisp salad for a lighter meal, or traditionally stuffed into warm pita bread with your favorite toppings. The options are endless, making it perfect for various occasions and preferences.
- Nutrient-Rich and Wholesome: Made primarily from chickpeas, falafel is naturally rich in plant-based protein and dietary fiber. This makes it a fantastic choice for a healthy, satisfying, and sustainable meal that keeps you feeling full and energized. It’s an excellent option for vegetarians, vegans, and anyone looking to incorporate more wholesome foods into their diet.
- Impressive Yet Approachable: While homemade falafel might sound daunting, this recipe breaks it down into simple, manageable steps. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create restaurant-quality falafel in your own kitchen, making it a perfect dish to impress guests or simply treat yourself and your family.
Get ready to savor the authentic taste and satisfying texture of truly delicious homemade falafel. It’s a culinary journey you won’t regret taking!
Gather Your Essential Ingredients for a Perfect Platter
Crafting the perfect Falafel Platter with Tzatziki Sauce begins with assembling a thoughtful array of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the harmonious balance of flavors and textures that makes this dish so irresistible. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
For the Crispy Falafel:
- Dried Chickpeas: The cornerstone of authentic falafel. Soaking dried chickpeas overnight is crucial for achieving the ideal texture – crispy on the outside and tender within – that canned chickpeas simply cannot replicate.
- Yellow Onion: Adds a foundational aromatic sweetness and depth to the falafel mixture.
- Garlic: Essential for its pungent, savory notes, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Fresh Parsley: Provides a vibrant, fresh, and herbaceous quality that is characteristic of traditional falafel.
- Ground Cumin: A warm, earthy spice that is indispensable for giving falafel its distinctive Middle Eastern flavor.
- Coriander: Complements the cumin with its citrusy, slightly sweet notes, adding complexity.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out and balance all the other flavors.
- Cayenne Pepper: A touch of cayenne offers a subtle warmth and a hint of gentle spice, optional but highly recommended for an extra kick.
- All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a binder, helping the falafel balls hold their shape during frying, especially important for achieving that perfect crisp exterior.
- Canola Oil: Our preferred oil for deep frying the falafel due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, ensuring the falafel cooks beautifully without imparting unwanted tastes.
For the Creamy Tzatziki Sauce:
A cool, refreshing counterpoint to the warm falafel.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: The creamy base of our tzatziki, providing a rich tang. Greek yogurt’s thickness is key for a luscious sauce.
- English Cucumber: Peeled, seeded, and finely chopped, it adds a crisp, refreshing element and a subtle coolness.
- Garlic: Minced, it infuses the sauce with a gentle, aromatic warmth.
- Fresh Dill: The signature herb of tzatziki, offering a bright, distinctive flavor that pairs beautifully with cucumber and yogurt.
- Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce with a zesty tang, balancing the richness of the yogurt.
- Salt and Pepper: Seasonings to taste, enhancing the freshness of the ingredients.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A drizzle adds a silken texture and a hint of fruity richness to finish the sauce.
For the Platter Assembly:
- Feta Cheese: Salty and briny, it crumbles beautifully over the platter, adding a delightful savory kick.
- Green and Kalamata Olives: A mix provides varied textures and briny, savory notes that are classic Mediterranean additions.
- Variety of Grape Tomatoes: Offers bursts of juicy sweetness and vibrant color.
- Pita Wedges: Essential for scooping up falafel, tzatziki, and all the fresh components.
- Spring Mix Lettuce: A bed of tender greens provides a fresh, light base for the entire platter.
With these ingredients at the ready, you’re all set to create a stunning and delicious Falafel Platter that will transport your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean.
Step-By-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Perfect Falafel Platter
Creating this delicious Falafel Platter with Tzatziki Sauce is a rewarding culinary journey. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfectly crispy falafel and a creamy, refreshing sauce.
Preparing the Falafel Mixture:
- Soak the Chickpeas: Begin by placing the dried chickpeas into a large bowl. Ensure they are covered generously by at least 2-3 inches with cold water. Let them soak overnight (ideally 12-18 hours). This crucial step rehydrates the chickpeas, making them soft enough to process but firm enough to create a sturdy falafel. After soaking, thoroughly drain the chickpeas, discarding the water.
- Process the Falafel Base: Transfer the drained, soaked chickpeas, roughly chopped yellow onions, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the bowl of a food processor. Make sure your food processor is fitted with a sharp steel blade. Pulse the mixture until it is well blended but still has some texture – you want it crumbly, not a smooth puree. Over-processing can lead to dense falafel.
- Incorporate Flour and Chill: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the falafel mixture in the food processor. Pulse a few more times to just combine the flour. Transfer the mixture from the food processor to a clean bowl, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for about 2-3 hours. Chilling is essential as it allows the flavors to meld and helps the mixture firm up, making it much easier to form into balls.
- Form the Falafel Balls: Once the mixture is thoroughly chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Take small portions and form them into walnut-sized balls. If you find the balls are not holding their shape well, add a tiny bit more flour (half a tablespoon at a time) to the mixture and gently knead it in. For this recipe, I found that exactly 3 tablespoons of flour worked perfectly to achieve the right consistency.
- Prepare for Frying: Line a plate or tray with a few layers of paper towels; this will be used to absorb excess oil from the freshly fried falafel.
Frying the Falafel:
- Heat the Oil: In a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat about 3 inches of canola oil. Use a kitchen thermometer to monitor the oil temperature, aiming for a steady 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Maintaining the correct oil temperature is key to perfectly crispy, non-greasy falafel.
- Fry in Batches: Carefully drop 4-6 falafel balls into the hot oil at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy falafel. Fry them for a few minutes on each side (approximately 2 minutes per side), turning gently with a slotted spoon or tongs, until they are beautifully light golden brown and crispy all over.
- Drain Excess Oil: Once fried, remove the falafel balls from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Repeat the frying process with the remaining falafel mixture, ensuring the oil returns to 375°F between batches.
Preparing the Tzatziki Sauce:
- Prepare Cucumber: For the English cucumber, peel it, halve it lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Grate the cucumber (using the large holes of a box grater) and then place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. This step prevents your tzatziki from becoming watery.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, finely chopped and squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, finely chopped fresh dill, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Whisk and Chill: Whisk all the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Cover the bowl and chill the Tzatziki sauce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully and ensures the sauce is refreshingly cool.
Assembling Your Falafel Platter:
With your crispy falafel and creamy tzatziki ready, it’s time to assemble your impressive platter. Arrange the fried falafel balls artfully on a large serving dish. Place a bowl of the chilled Tzatziki sauce centrally on the platter. Around these, arrange the additional platter items: crumbled feta cheese, a colorful mix of green and Kalamata olives, vibrant grape tomatoes, and warm pita wedges cut into triangles. Finish with a bed of fresh spring mix lettuce, ensuring every component is easily accessible for a delightful communal dining experience.
This platter is consistently a hit with guests and always garners rave reviews. It’s an ideal choice for a cozy date night in (even for the pickiest eaters!), your next book club gathering, or a delightful luncheon with friends. Don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try. If you have any questions or simply want to share your experience, please drop a comment below. Enjoy every delicious bite!
A Few Cook’s Notes & Expert Tips for Your Falafel Platter
Achieving the perfect Falafel Platter with Tzatziki Sauce is easier with a few insider tips and tricks. Here are some essential notes from the kitchen to help you along the way:
- The Chickpea Choice is Key: For truly authentic and robust falafel, always opt for dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight. I’ve experimented with canned chickpeas in the past, but the results are consistently inferior. Canned chickpeas tend to yield a much mushier falafel mixture that is prone to falling apart during frying and lacks the desired crispness. The overnight soak of dried chickpeas ensures the ideal texture and structural integrity for your falafel balls.
- Optimal Frying Oil and Temperature: To maintain a healthier profile without sacrificing flavor or texture, I recommend using canola oil for frying your falafel balls. Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it excellent for deep-frying. Ensure your deep pot contains about 3 inches of oil and, most critically, heat the oil to a precise 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Using a kitchen thermometer is crucial here. If the oil isn’t hot enough, the falafel will absorb too much oil and become greasy; if it’s too hot, the exterior will burn before the inside cooks through.
- The Art of Assembling Your Platter: The beauty of this dish lies not only in its taste but also in its presentation. The platter is a vibrant tapestry of flavors and colors. It typically includes a variety of fresh components: juicy grape tomatoes, tender spring mix lettuce, crumbly Feta cheese for a salty tang, a mix of briny green and Kalamata olives, the creamy homemade Tzatziki sauce, warm and soft pita wedges, and, of course, the star of the show – your perfectly fried falafel balls. Arrange them aesthetically to create an inviting spread.
- Make-Ahead Tips: You can prepare the falafel mixture (after chilling) a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Form the balls just before frying for the freshest taste. The Tzatziki sauce can also be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge, allowing the flavors to deepen even further.
- Serving Suggestions Beyond the Platter: While a platter is fantastic for sharing, falafel is incredibly versatile. Enjoy leftovers stuffed into a fresh pita with extra tzatziki and veggies, crumbled over a green salad for a hearty lunch, or as part of a grain bowl with quinoa and roasted vegetables.
More Delicious Mediterranean-Inspired Platters & Salads to Enjoy
If you loved the fresh, vibrant flavors of this Falafel Platter with Tzatziki Sauce, you’re in for a treat with these other delightful Mediterranean and fresh-inspired recipes. They’re perfect for light lunches, elegant dinners, or impressive gatherings!
- Classic Cobb Salad: A timeless American classic, often enjoyed for its hearty mix of greens, crispy bacon, chicken, eggs, avocado, and a vibrant dressing. While not strictly Mediterranean, its emphasis on fresh ingredients makes it a favorite for a fulfilling meal.
- Salmon Niçoise Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette: Transport yourself to the French Riviera with this elegant and flavorful salad. Featuring flaky salmon, tender green beans, potatoes, olives, hard-boiled eggs, and a zesty Dijon vinaigrette, it’s a wholesome and satisfying dish.
- Zesty Grilled Steak Salad with Corn and Strawberries: A surprisingly delicious combination, this salad offers a fantastic blend of savory grilled steak, sweet strawberries, fresh corn, and a bright, zesty dressing. It’s a creative and refreshing twist on a steak dinner.
Each of these recipes brings its own unique charm and a burst of fresh flavors to your table, making them perfect companions to your culinary adventures. Enjoy exploring!
Falafel Platter with Tzatziki Sauce
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Ingredients
Falafel
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 1 cup yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- canola oil for frying
Tzatziki Sauce
- 2 5.3-oz. containers plain Greek yogurt
- 1 medium English cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Additional Platter Items
- Feta cheese
- green and Kalamata olives
- variety of grape tomatoes
- pita wedges
- spring mix
Instructions
Falafel
- Add the dried chickpeas to a large bowl. Cover by at least 2-3 inches with cold water. Soak overnight, then drain thoroughly.
- Add drained chickpeas, onions, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper and cayenne to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until the mixture is blended and crumbly, but not pureed.
- Sprinkle in the flour and pulse a few times to combine. Add the mixture to a bowl and refrigerate, covered, for about 2-3 hours to firm up.
- Remove mixture from refrigerator and form into walnut sized balls. If balls are not staying together, add a bit more flour (½ tablespoon at a time). (3 tablespoons of flour typically works perfectly for the initial mixture.)
- Heat about 3 inches of canola oil in a deep pot to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Fry 4-6 balls at a time, for about 2 minutes on each side, until lightly golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Tzatziki Sauce
- Peel, seed, and finely chop (or grate) the English cucumber. Squeeze out excess water. Combine all Tzatziki ingredients in a medium bowl, whisk together until well combined. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.