Fried Egyptian Falafel Recipe (Tameya)

One of the most common breakfast dishes in Egypt is this Egyptian falafel recipe also known as tameya (TA-MAY-YA). It's surprisingly cheap, unbelievably delicious, and an easy meal on the go. This authentic fried Egyptian falafel recipe is my mother in laws recipe.

I explain the exact step-by-step process for making the tameya mixture in my baked Egyptian falafel post, so I won't go into repeat the instructions here. Egyptian falafel is a little bit different from Lebanese falafel in that it also uses split dried fava beans (in addition to dried chickpeas). Tameya also uses cilantro, fresh garlic, ground cumin, and ground coriander making it a very flavorful falafel recipe.

I'm a big fan of freezer-friendly meal options and quick meal hacks, which this falafel recipe is all about.

Time Saving Hack For Falafel

I batch prepare Egyptian falafel and store the mixture in freezer-friendly storage bags like below. In this post, I use a freezer bag Egyptian falafel (tameya) mixture which cuts down my cooking time greatly. I freeze the mixture flat, so it's quick to defrost.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Tameya mixture: If using frozen tameya, allow it to thaw completely prior to use. If making this meal fresh, follow the step-by-step instructions for making Egyptian tameya.
• Egg: You need one egg for this recipe. The egg helps bind all of the ingredients together.
• Baking powder: The baking powder makes the tameya a little softer when cooked.
• Frying oil: I prefer using sunflower oil, however, any type of frying oil is suitable.
• Sesame seeds and coriander seeds: Sesame seeds and coriander seeds are patted on the outside of the falafel patties just before they go in the hot oil.

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How To Make Tameya Patties

1. Add the sesame seeds and coriander seeds to a plate.
2. Form a ball in your hands. Flatten the ball. Indent the middle with your finger.
3. Wet your hands. Tap the sesame seeds and coriander seeds, then tap the falafel patty.
4. Add the falafel patties to the plate or fry the falafel directly. I like to use the plate, so I can take my time lowering the falafel patties into the oil. However, the falafel mixture is delicate moving off the plate, so you will need to be extra cautious.

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How to Fry Egyptian Falafel

This is a delicate process that I have failed miserably in. My Egyptian neighbor told me she's going to help me out, but until that happens, this is the best solution I've found. The falafel mixture is very soft, so it can break easily when placed into the oil. By using a spatula and spoon, my falafel patties now survive the plunge into the oil.

I place the raw falafel mixture on the spatula, lower it close to the oil, then push it off with a spoon. Once the falafel cooks a little bit, it holds itself together much better.

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How Do You Eat Falafel?

I prefer to eat my falafel in a falafel sandwich with falafel sauce. You can also eat falafel on a salad or in a bowl.

How to Store

I don't like reheating falafel, but you might! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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