Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with 4 inches of water. (The beans will triple in volume as they cook.) Set the chickpeas aside to soak overnight for a minimum of 12 hours and up to 24 hours. (The chickpeas are ready to use when they are easily broken apart with your fingers.)

Drain the chickpeas and add them to a food processor along with the parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, salt, baking powder and lemon juice. Process the mixture just until the ingredients are minced but not pureed, scraping down the sides as needed. (Do not overprocess the mixture or the falafel will be too loose. Process the mixture just until it holds together when squeezed into balls.) Taste and season the mixture with more salt, as desired.

Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a baking sheet with half of the olive oil.

Squeeze the falafel mixture into 1.5-inch balls then flatten them slightly so they are the shape of patties. Arrange the falafel on the greased baking sheet and brush the tops of them with the remaining olive oil. Bake the falafel for 15 minutes, flip them once then bake them an additional 10 minutes until they are golden brown. Serve the falafel in pita bread with tahini sauce and veggies, or add them to a salad as a healthy, protein-packed topping.

Do not use cooked/canned chickpeas, as the mixture will be too loose and the falafel won’t hold their shape.

Falafel are wonderful tucked inside pita bread alongside lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and a drizzle of tahini sauce or yogurt mixed with cucumbers and dill.

★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!