Fresh Broad Bean Falafel Recipe

This broad bean falafel recipe is simple and great for using up a bumper harvest of big broad beans.

Egyptian broad bean falafel are a bit of an institution in our patch of Melbourne, thanks to the iconic Half Moon Cafe that dishes up these delicious morsels from the Coburg Mall.

This recipe uses freshly picked, popped and peeled broad beans from the garden, while the traditional version uses dried beans.

The recipe works really well when using big, mealy beans (the kind you get at the end of the season). If you’re using younger, fresher beans you may have to add a little more besan flour as the mix might be too moist.

broad bean felafel recipe

Fresh broad bean falafel recipe

Makes about 18 small falafel

Ingredients:

  • 300g fresh peeled and shelled broad beans
  • ½ an onion, chopped coarsley
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • a packed handful of parsley
  • 1 tbsp besan flour
  • 1 tsp cumin, ground
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp coriander, ground
  • sesame seeds for rolling
  • oil for frying

Method:

Place all ingredients, except broad beans, in a blender bowl and blend to a smooth paste. Add broad beans and pulse until beans are blended coarsely (you still want a bit of texture, not a paste).

Place mixture in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Heat 1-2cm of oil in a small, heavy bottomed fry pan.

Shape heaped tablespoons of the mixture into balls by hand or use a falafel press (the one pictured above came from eBay). Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

broad bean felafel recipe

Fry falafel for a minute or so on each side until browned, turning carefully. Transfer cooked felafel to drain on a brown paper bag.

Serve with your favourite salads, middle eastern bread and dips… or just enjoy them fresh from the pan! Yum!

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4 Comments

  1. Hi PiP ! With a glut of broad beans right now we’ve made this recipe a few times now and it’s been brilliant 🙂
    We don’t have a food processor so our mix was a little rough, we ended up baking it in a shallow slice tray which turned out really well. Many thanks, Craig

  2. These are great. Our broad beans are still a bit young, so I needed the extra flour. Really loved the fresh flavour. Definitely making again. Thanks, Rosie

  3. I had these direct from the Half Moon Cafe over 30 years ago – they were sensational and I’ve been trying to re-invent the recipe ever since so thanks for providing it; AND the blast from the past!

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