Southwestern Falafel

Name: Southwestern Falafel
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 quart vegetable oil for frying, or as needed; 1 onion, quartered; 1 small green bell pepper, chopped; 1 egg; 3 cloves garlic; 1 (1.25 ounce) package dry taco seasoning mix; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 teaspoons peanut oil; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 pinch cayenne pepper; 1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans, drained; 1 dash hot sauce, or to taste; 1 cup dry bread crumbs, or more as needed

Rating: 4.71 stars

7 Ratings
6 Reviews
1 Photo

A spicy, Southwestern take on this Middle Eastern favorite. Serve with sour cream, guacamole or salsa.

By jonvance

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Recipe Summary

prep:

20 mins

cook:

15 mins

total:

35 mins

Servings:

Yield:

6 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

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Step 2

Place onion, green bell pepper, egg, garlic, taco seasoning, baking powder, peanut oil, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper in a food processor. Puree until smooth.
Step 3

Pour pinto beans into mixture and pulse until pinto beans are chopped and integrated, but not smooth.
Step 4

Transfer bean mixture to a large bowl; stir hot sauce into mixture.
Step 5

Stir enough bread crumbs into mixture to form a dough that holds together, but isn't sticky.
Step 6

Form dough into quarter-sized balls.
Step 7

Deep-fry in hot oil until falafel are deep brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Cook's note:

If a food processor is not available, add first ten ingredients to a blender and process until smooth. Mash beans in a bowl with a potato masher, then mix together.

Editor's note:

We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and the specific type of oil used.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

326 calories; protein 7.6g 15% DV; carbohydrates 32g 10% DV; fat 18.8g 29% DV; cholesterol 31mg 10% DV; sodium 1353.8mg 54% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (6)

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7 Ratings

5 star values: 5
4 star values: 2
3 star values: 0
2 star values: 0
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

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It's Tava Time

08/14/2012

I have made these 3 times in the past 2 months and am getting ready to make them again tomorrow! They are a hit with my family--especially the kids and I took them to a meal swap where they were a favorite! I changed the recipe up some... First I omitted the salt. With the packaged taco seasoning it didn't need anymore salt. Second I added a tsp more cumin and used an entire onion. I also use kidney beans instead of pinto and plan to make them with black beans one of these times! I also use olive oil instead of peanut oil in the mixture and for frying. As with traditional falfalfel it's better to add the bread crumbs and let the mixture set at least 30 minutes. Much easier to form and fry! I do not deep fat fry mine but rather skillet fry and I make patties vs balls. Also it has always taken 1 1/2c bread crumbs vs 1 cup. Again they fry much better when dryer. Serve with homemade salsa and you have an incredible meal! Enjoy! (PS--sometimes I also serve with tortillas fresh tomatoes and lettuce)! Read More

Helpful

(6)

Jamie Justice Yost

08/13/2012

I wasn't able to deep-fry these so I just skillet-fried 'em! Good especially when served with sour cream and salsa (I may have added some green onions on top for color too. Hehe.) The only real change (besides frying technique) was that I used homemade taco seasoning instead of the packet. Read More

Helpful

(4)

chef982

06/03/2014

Really easy and delicious! Make a recipe for chili sauce and it will be complete. Read More

Helpful

(2)

Sheila Haliotis

05/06/2016

I omitted the cayenne and pan-fried them as patties in a little bit of oil. They were excellent the family loved them! Next time I will serve them on deli rounds with lettuce tomato onion avocado & chipotle mayo. Read More

Peggy

05/14/2016

I made this mostly as written using the taco seasoning recipe from this site cracker crumbs in place of bread crumbs (had to use them up) and added about a cup of pre-cooked quinoa to bulk up the protein and stretch the recipe. They were very good tho I may have overdone the cayenne a little because they were a little spicy and we like spicy food. I'll keep them in my new vegetarian rotation. Read More

Jamie Mallery

03/28/2020

I don't often leave reviews, but I felt I should since there aren't that many here...this was GOOD! The only adjustments I made were that I used my own taco seasoning mix (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder) and I added a splash of lime juice into the mix. I pan fried them in about an inch of grapeseed oil. My five year old LOVED them, and he's really picky! The three year old ironically did not, but we just never know with him. I thought they were VERY VERY good dipped in sour cream and salsa! I saved some and made into burger-sized patties because I think these would work great as a veggie burger :) Read More

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Nutritional Information

Southwestern Falafel

Servings Per Recipe: 6
Calories: 326.2

% Daily Value *

protein: 15 %

carbohydrates: 10 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 20 %

sugars:

fat: 29 %

saturated fat: 14 %

cholesterol: 10 %

vitamin a iu: 2 %

niacin equivalents: 24 %

vitamin b6: 10 %

vitamin c: 21 %

folate: 18 %

calcium: 17 %

iron: 15 %

magnesium: 12 %

potassium: 8 %

sodium: 54 %

thiamin: 24 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Southwestern Falafel

1 of 6

All Reviews

It's Tava Time

08/14/2012

Helpful

(6)

Jamie Justice Yost

08/13/2012

Helpful

(4)

chef982

06/03/2014

Really easy and delicious! Make a recipe for chili sauce and it will be complete.

Helpful

(2)

Sheila Haliotis

05/06/2016

Peggy

05/14/2016

Jamie Mallery

03/28/2020

1 of 1 Southwestern Falafel

Jamie Justice Yost

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Southwestern Falafel

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Ingredients

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Cook's note:

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Nutrition Facts

Reviews (6)

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Southwestern Falafel

Gallery

Recipe Summary

Ingredients

Directions

Cook's note:

Editor's note:

Nutrition Facts

Reviews (6)

All Reviews for Southwestern Falafel