Buffalo Falafel Subs
![Buffalo Falafel Subs - Fried chickepea fritters are tossed in buffalo sauce then piled into subs with buffalo-flavored hummus, lettuce, tomato and blue cheese! | foxeslovelemons.com Buffalo Falafel Subs - Fried chickepea fritters are tossed in buffalo sauce then piled into subs with buffalo-flavored hummus, lettuce, tomato and blue cheese! | foxeslovelemons.com](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Buffalo-Falafel-Subs-4-2-600x899.jpg)
When you think about going to a baseball game and the food you might eat that day, you probably think of hot dogs, peanuts or nachos.
You probably don’t think of falafel (a Middle Eastern fritter made from chickpeas), but you guys know I love a mashup (see also: gyro pizza), so baseball and falafel have become intertwined!
You see, right near the stadium where the Detroit Tigers play is a bar/restaurant that serves amazing falafel pita sandwiches.
They also have chicken shawarma, but I prefer falafel because they’re a little lighter than the shawarma.
They don’t weigh me down quite as much, and leave me with plenty of room to get a big ol’ ice cold beer at the ballpark.
![Buffalo Falafel Subs - Fried chickepea fritters are tossed in buffalo sauce then piled into subs with buffalo-flavored hummus, lettuce, tomato and blue cheese! | foxeslovelemons.com Buffalo Falafel Subs - Fried chickepea fritters are tossed in buffalo sauce then piled into subs with buffalo-flavored hummus, lettuce, tomato and blue cheese! | foxeslovelemons.com](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Buffalo-Falafel-Subs-5-600x899.jpg)
This bar with the falafel also serves more traditional sports fan fare like buffalo wings. Upon studying the menu, I came up with the idea to combine the falafel with buffalo flavors.
I mean, why the heck not? I stuck with some classic Middle Eastern flavors for the falafel – chickpeas are the main component of the fritters, along with garlic, cumin and lemon zest.
But after pan-frying the falafel, I tossed them in a generous bath of buffalo sauce.
![Buffalo Falafel Subs - Fried chickepea fritters are tossed in buffalo sauce then piled into subs with buffalo-flavored hummus, lettuce, tomato and blue cheese! | foxeslovelemons.com Buffalo Falafel Subs - Fried chickepea fritters are tossed in buffalo sauce then piled into subs with buffalo-flavored hummus, lettuce, tomato and blue cheese! | foxeslovelemons.com](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Buffalo-Falafel-Subs-600x899.jpg)
Because I wanted a double-dose of buffalo flavor, I also stirred buffalo sauce into hummus. This buffalo hummus mixture was spread on submarine buns, then the falafel were piled in.
The sandwich is finished with crispy lettuce, juicy tomato and a bit of crumbled blue cheese (any extra cheese can be folded into blue cheese mashed potatoes for another meal).
While any day is a perfectly good day to enjoy these Buffalo Falafel Subs, TODAY is National Hummus Day!
The Classic hummus variety I used here is super versatile for recipes such as this one, but for just snacking with pita chips, I’m partial to the Olive Tapanade Hummus and the Lemon Twist variety (I’m nothing if not consistent, right?)
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![Buffalo Falafel Subs - Fried chickepea fritters are tossed in buffalo sauce then piled into subs with buffalo-flavored hummus, lettuce, tomato and blue cheese! | foxeslovelemons.com](https://foxeslovelemons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Buffalo-Falafel-Subs-480x480.jpg)
Buffalo Falafel Subs
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 3 green onions, roughly chopped
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce, divided
- 3/4 cup hummus
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 4 submarine buns, split
- 2 cups chopped lettuce
- 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- In bowl of food processor fitted with knife blade attachment, pulse chickpeas, garlic, onions, egg, flour, parsley, baking powder, cumin, lemon zest, salt, black pepper and cayenne until chickpeas are very finely chopped. You don't want the mixture to be a smooth paste, but you do want the chickpeas to be finely ground.
- Place 1/2 cup buffalo sauce in large bowl. In separate small bowl, stir together hummus and remaining 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce.
- In large pot or high-sided skillet, heat 2 inches of oil to 370 degrees F over medium-high heat. Form chickpea mixture into balls and slightly flatten each ball (each ball should be about 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons mixture; you should have about 24 falafel). In batches, drop falafel into hot oil and fry 3 to 4 minutes or until brown and crisp, turning once. Transfer falafel to paper-towel lined plate and continue frying remaining falafel.
- When all falafel are fried, transfer to large bowl with buffalo sauce and toss until well combined.
- Spread inside of submarine buns with hummus mixture. Divide lettuce over hummus, then divide falafel between buns (5-6 falafel per bun). Top with tomatoes and blue cheese and serve immediatley.
I love these!! They used to make a Buffalo hummus and it was awesome, but I can’t find it anymore. It never occurred to me to just do it myself. DUH. Pairing it with falafel is brilliant.
Really, Sabra used to make buffalo hummus? Who knew? Well, I guess you did 😉
You’re a genius for combining two of my favorites into one delicious sub. Maybe now I can finally get my dad to eat falafel (he’s not a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine, which is funny because it’s the total opposite of me).
Awwwww. My parents ARE fans of Middle Eastern cuisine, but they live in a really small town. M.E. restaurants keep trying to open there, but go out of business quickly due to lack of customers. It stinks!
I had falafel for lunch today and I kept thinking it was missing something, clearly it was buffalo sauce. Such a great idea and I’d rather go for a big falafel sandwich over ballpark food any day.
Haha yes! Why isn’t buffalo sauce a typical condiment for falafel? I don’t get it 😉
I am in love with this idea. It’s like meatball sub meets wings meets Mediterranean. And that up close shot of the falafel is killer. I think it’s about time for second dinner.
I think you’re totally allowed to have second dinner, Courtney 😉
What a great way to use hummus! These look terrific!
Thanks for stopping by, Julie!
Lori, I think you hit on just about everything I love, all in one recipe. Falafel, hummus, raw veggies, things in buns…what else is there? (until dessert, of course). I’ve never made falafel from scratch before — Cannot wait to make these!
Thanks Amelia! This was my first time making falafel from scratch, and they were actually way easier than I thought they would be. The food processor makes quick work of mixing everything up!
Serious. These look incredible, delicious, and I want them for dinner. Good thing I have tubs and tubs of Sabra Hummus for HummusDay!
It’s never a bad thing to have a fridge full of Sabra hummus. Thanks Fabiola!
Oh my goodness this sounds amazing!! I happen to have a massive crush on falafel. This is a must try.
Haha, gotta love food crushes, Heather 🙂
This looks like one flavorful sandwich! I love that you used Sabra Hummus for the buffalo sauce!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Nicole!
A double dose of chickpeas! Epic! The flavor combo here sounds out of this world amazing.
Thanks so much, Sam!
Get the heck outta town! I’m going to need at least two of these flavorful huggers. Yum!
YOU get the heck outta town, Jennie – a.k.a. enjoy your vacation 🙂
I now NEED Buffalo falafel subs in the worst way!
Haha, thanks Anita!
How generous and creative! Love this idea, Lori. Falafel in a sandwich with greens and blue cheese sound heavenly!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
Thanks J & A!
Girl – Yes yes yes!! Love your creativity!!! Do you deliver?
I deliver by bicycle in the greater Ferndale area 🙂
What a unique sub! Buffalo sauce and falafel sounds like a match made in heaven!
Thanks Mary!