How to Reheat Falafels [8 Ways to Keep Them Crisp Yet Moist]

Usually, when I go to an Egyptian or Middle-Eastern inspired restaurant, I make sure to order a plate or two of falafels. Every time I buy falafels, I go overboard with the order, and, as a result, I am always left with a lot of leftovers.

While I don’t mind having some more falafels to eat the next day,  It can be challenging to maintain the taste and texture of this food after reheating. Nonetheless, it is possible to reheat falafel while reserving its crispiness and flavor.

You can reheat leftover falafels in a conventional oven, microwave, air fryer, grill, toaster oven, and stovetop. You should choose a reheating method per your kitchen appliances, time, and the results you want to achieve. Always put your leftover falafels in a container or airtight bag before placing them in the refrigerator.

What Are the Best Ways to Reheat Falafels?

Whenever you reheat food, especially something deep-fried like falafels, you want them to retain the texture and the flavor, even after reheating.

Here’s a list of ways that you can use to reheat your falafels. You can pick one that suits the availability of the kitchen appliances.

1. Reheat Falafel in a Conventional Oven

You can warm up anything to preserve its original taste if you have a traditional oven. The good thing is that this will only take you a few minutes if you remember to thaw your falafels.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Loosely wrap the falafels in aluminum foil as you place them in an oven-safe tray- this way, they will retain heat and humidity.
3. The heating period relies on the size of the falafels. Bigger ones require much more time to reheat, but if you have small ones, warm for approximately 5 minutes.
4. Ensure to overturn the falafels before they are completely heated.
5. Your food should be ready to serve. 

2. Reheat Falafel in a Microwave

Microwaving is another great reheating option since it guarantees juicy and moistened falafels. Still, they might not turn out crunchy on the outside. To microwave your leftover falafels:

1. Place the falafels in a microwave safe-dish. 
2. Cover the dish with a dampened paper towel or parchment paper.
3. Microwave for 30 seconds, then check if well reheated and warm for a few more seconds if need be. 
4. Take them out of the appliance and let them cool before eating.

3. Reheat Falafel in an Air Fryer

Air frying leftover food is ideal because it is less complex and quicker than other reheating methods. Here is a guide:

1. Preheat your fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the falafels in the air fryer and ensure they are well evened out.
3. Heat them for 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Serve and enjoy.

4. Reheat Falafel in a Grill

Grilling leftover falafel is not a common reheating method. Be as it may, it is worth giving it a try.

1. Heat your grill pan on medium heat.
2. Put some oil in the pan and heat it for 2 minutes.
3. Place your falafels in the pan and fry them. It would be best not to put too many falafels at a time as they won’t be evenly heated.
4. Take them out and place them on a paper towel.
5. Serve and enjoy.

5. Reheat Falafel in a Toaster Oven

If you have both a traditional and toaster oven, you should prioritize this medium because it is faster. So how do you reheat leftover falafels using a toaster oven?

1. Preheat your toaster to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Place the falafels in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil or dampened paper towel. 
3. Heat it for 4 to 5 minutes or more if you have big falafels.
4. Your food should be ready to serve.

6. Reheat Falafel on a Stove

Most people prefer to deep fry dry dough; this is not always recommendable, but in this case, it is okay. However, ensure to thaw the falafels in advance, or they may turn out soggy.

1. Place a pan on the stove, add an inch of oil and warm it for a short period.
2. When you see bubbles in the oil, drop your falafels one by one and heat them for 30 or 40 seconds.
3. Flip them over and heat for the same duration.
4. When ready, remove them and place them on a paper towel.
5. Let them cool, then serve and enjoy.

7. Reheat Falafels by Deep Frying

Falafels usually are deep-fried in the first place. If you want to reheat them and maintain the same texture and flavor, you might try deep frying it again. Even if this is the most convenient process, I wouldn’t personally suggest doing this. If not done the right way, these tend to leave the falafels soggy because of the incorrect temperature of the oil.

Steps to follow:

1. Start by heating some oil in a deep-vesseled pan and wait till it’s hot. You don’t want to drop the already fried falafels into a pan of cold oil.
2. Once the oil is hot enough, drop the falafel balls and move them around till the exterior becomes crispy and brown.
3. If the falafel balls start becoming too brown, take them out or reduce the flame a little.

This method tends to leave the center of the falafel cold. So, if you are deep-frying the falafels to reheat them, you need to be aware of this.

8. Reheat Falafels Using a Skillet

Using a skillet follows the same process as deep-frying, but the process is very fast. So, if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, you can try this process out. Make sure that you are using a heavy skillet made with cast iron.

Steps to follow:

1. Start by heating the skillet and adding enough oil to deep fry every one of the falafels.
2. Having sufficient oil in the skillet is necessary if you want them to be crispy from the outside and fluffy on the inside with soaking up the excess amount of oil.
3. Before adding the falafel balls, heat the oil for 5 minutes till the oil is pretty hot.
4. Once the oil is hot, drop in the falafel balls and let them fry in the hot oil for a few minutes till they turn golden brown and crispy.

If you are using this method, you must keep an eye out on the frying and take it out of the skillet before it becomes too brown on the outside.

What are Falafels?

Falafels are deep-fried balls made with ground chickpeas, fresh herbs, and a whole range of spices. 

It is a popular Middle-eastern food that often uses fava beans instead of chickpeas.

Falafels are often eaten by itself as a snack or added to salads and wraps to add a delicious and protein-rich element to the dish.

Have you wondered how do falafels taste like?

How to Make Homemade Falafels?

It is not a surprise that falafels in the restaurant cost a lot of money. Since they are an exotic dish, they are naturally quite expensive. That said, making homemade falafels are incredibly delectable and as fresh as they come.

Here’s how you can make your batch at home.

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas – 1 cup (boiled and ground)
• Fresh herbs (coriander, mint) – 1 cup
• Flour – if needed
• Spices (cumin, paprika, five-spice) – as per taste
• Salt and Pepper – as per taste
• Onions – 1 (chopped) 

How to Make?

• Start by taking all the ingredients in a bowl.
• Using a spatula, mix everything to form a stiff dough. If the dough feels watery, add some flour to it.
• Heat some oil in a pan and wait for 2-3 minutes.
• Take some of the falafel mixture on your palm and shape it into a ball.
• Once the oil is hot, drop the falafel balls and deep fry them till it’s golden brown and crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked on the inside.
• Wait for 2-3 minutes, depending on the size of the falafel balls and the batter’s thickness.
• Once it’s fried well from the inside and outside, take it out of the hot oil and transfer it to a plate lined with tissue paper to soak the excess oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Can You Store Leftover Falafels?

After cooking your falafels, let them cool. Place them in a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Next, take them from the freezer into airtight sealed containers or freezer-safe bags. Ensure to place your plastic bag in a manner that won’t stick together, as this will distort the shape of your falafels. 

When well stored, falafels can last up to 6 months. Just ensure to label the storage bag or tin, so you don’t forget about them. 

2. Is It Safe to Eat Refrigerated Falafels Without Reheating?

People have different tastes, and whereas others love reheated food, others do not. Even so, it is best to reheat refrigerated food to kill build-up bacteria.

Conclusion

So, that’s all you need to know about reheating falafels. If you were confused about how to do it like I was initially, I hope this guide comes in handy. It doesn’t matter whether you have some leftover falafels from the restaurant or some frozen homemade falafels in the freezer; these reheating methods work fine for both of them.