Crispy Homemade Falafel Bites with Zesty Sabra Lemon Twist Hummus: The Ultimate Party Appetizer

Discover the perfect bite-sized appetizer for any summer gathering: incredibly flavorful homemade falafel bites, elevated by the bright and creamy taste of Sabra Lemon Twist Hummus. This combination offers a delightful texture and a burst of fresh flavors that will impress all your guests!

Every year, there’s a day dedicated to celebrating one of my all-time favorite foods: National Hummus Day! While I certainly don’t need a special occasion to enjoy hummus – it’s a staple in my fridge and a daily go-to snack – it’s always fun to have an extra excuse to highlight this versatile and delicious dip. This year, the celebration feels even more special because I’ve had the incredible opportunity to team up with Sabra as part of their esteemed Tastemaker program.

This partnership means I’ll be sharing a variety of mouth-watering dishes and creative culinary ideas, all featuring Sabra’s fantastic range of hummus flavors in the coming months. Working with Sabra has been an absolute delight. Their generosity is unmatched – I might just turn into a chickpea with all the wonderful hummus they’ve sent my way! It’s collaborations like this that truly ignite my passion for cooking, allowing my creative juices to flow freely and inspiring me to develop exciting new recipes for you.

The Undeniable Versatility and Health Benefits of Hummus

Hummus is undeniably one of the most versatile spreads available, and it’s rare for a week to pass without at least one container finding its way into my shopping cart. It’s not just a dip; it’s a fantastic, healthy snack that satisfies those afternoon hunger pangs (a daily occurrence for me!). From being spread generously on sandwiches and wraps to acting as a creamy base for salad dressings or even a flavorful accompaniment to grilled vegetables, its uses are boundless. Furthermore, hummus is naturally gluten-free and vegan, making it an inclusive and perfect snack to have on hand for parties, entertaining guests, or simply enjoying a guilt-free treat.

And if you haven’t explored the extensive line of hummus flavors that Sabra offers, you’re in for a treat! They have an impressive selection that caters to virtually every palate imaginable. Feeling adventurous and craving something with a kick? Their Supremely Spicy Hummus is a must-try. In the mood for an Italian twist? Sabra’s Basil Pesto Hummus offers a delightful Mediterranean fusion. The possibilities are truly endless, allowing for endless culinary exploration and flavor combinations.

For National Hummus Day, I wanted to create something both classic and exciting. That’s why I chose to pair one of Sabra’s newer and incredibly refreshing flavors, the Lemon Twist Hummus, with a traditional, beloved Middle Eastern delight: homemade falafel! But not just any falafel – we’re talking mini falafel bites, perfectly sized and served on toothpicks. Get ready to meet your new favorite appetizer and party snack!

Crafting the Perfect Homemade Falafel Bites

If you’ve ever been intimidated by the thought of making falafel from scratch, let me assure you: it’s incredibly easy! Much simpler than you might imagine. The key to successful homemade falafel lies in one crucial preparatory step: soaking your dried chickpeas the night before you plan to cook. This process is essential for achieving the right texture and ensures the falafel holds together beautifully. Simply place your dried chickpeas in a medium saucepan, cover them generously with cold water, and let them soak on your countertop overnight. They will plump up significantly, becoming tender and ready for processing.

Important Note: It is crucial not to substitute dried chickpeas with canned chickpeas for this recipe. Canned chickpeas have a different moisture content and are already cooked, which will result in a falafel mixture that is too soft and will not bind properly. The distinct texture and crispiness of authentic falafel rely on starting with properly soaked, uncooked dried chickpeas.

The falafel mixture itself comes together in mere minutes with just a handful of fresh ingredients. After the chickpeas are soaked and drained, they go into a food processor along with diced red onion, fresh garlic, ground cumin, a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle warmth, a touch of unbleached all-purpose flour to aid in binding, kosher salt, and a generous amount of fresh parsley and cilantro leaves. I personally adore the aromatic blend of both parsley and cilantro, which adds depth and brightness to the falafel. However, if cilantro isn’t to your taste, feel free to double the amount of parsley for an equally delicious result.

The secret to perfect falafel texture is in the food processor. You want to pulse the ingredients just enough so that the mixture begins to cohere, forming a coarse, yet pliable, paste. Be careful not to over-process it; if it becomes too smooth, you’ll lose that characteristic falafel texture and crunch. Once the mixture is ready, I recommend allowing it to chill in the refrigerator for about an hour. This resting period helps the flavors meld together beautifully and makes the mixture easier to shape, ensuring your falafel bites are perfectly formed and flavorful.

The Irresistible Crunch: Frying for Perfection

When it comes to falafel, it’s truly all about the texture and that satisfying crunch! A falafel that lacks crispiness feels incomplete in my humble opinion. Since these falafel bites are designed to be quite small – roughly 1-inch or less in diameter – and are then carefully fried, they develop an absolutely unbelievable texture. They simply could not be crispier!

Once these golden, crispy falafel bites are paired with Sabra’s new Lemon Twist Hummus, they become downright addictive. This particular hummus flavor is a classic Sabra recipe with an invigorating boost of extra lemon flavor and a blend of dried herbs and spices, perfectly complementing the earthy notes of the falafel. I love to serve the freshly fried falafel bites directly on top of a generous bed of hummus, using toothpicks to make them easy to grab, pass around, and enjoy as a delightful one-bite appetizer. The contrast between the warm, crispy falafel and the cool, creamy, zesty hummus is simply divine.

Happy National Hummus Day, and I hope you enjoy creating and sharing these incredible falafel bites!

I am thrilled to be part of the Sabra Tastemaker program this year! This post is sponsored by Sabra. Thank you for supporting brands that allow me to get in the kitchen, be creative, and share my passion for great food!