Good food. Less fuss.
From the EZdish collection

Panelle (Sicilian Chickpea Fritters)

Sicilian · Appetizer · Side

A traditional Sicilian street food staple, these savory chickpea flour fritters are golden-crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, typically served in a sesame bun or on their own with a squeeze of lemon.

IntermediateVeganVegetarian
Jump to recipe
Panelle (Sicilian Chickpea Fritters) — recipe cover
1 hr 30 minA little patience, a lot of flavor
Prep time10 min
Cook time20 min
Servings4 people
DifficultyIntermediate
Let's make something good

How to make it

7 steps. Take it one step at a time.

  1. Whisk the chickpea flour, salt, and black pepper

    In a medium saucepan, whisk the chickpea flour, salt, and black pepper into the cold water until completely smooth and no lumps remain.

  2. Place the pan over medium heat

    Place the pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, for about 10-15 minutes. The mixture will thicken significantly and should begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.

    10 min
  3. Stir in the finely chopped parsley

    Once thickened, stir in the finely chopped parsley until evenly distributed.

  4. Immediately spread the hot mixture

    Immediately spread the hot mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a clean, wet marble surface. Level it out to a thickness of about 1/2 inch (1 cm). Let it cool completely at room temperature for at least 1 hour until firm.

    1 hr
  5. Cut the dough into rectangles or squares

    Once cold and firm, cut the dough into rectangles or squares (roughly 3x4 inches).

  6. Heat vegetable oil

    Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (177°C). Fry the panelle in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until they are golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

    3 min
  7. Serve hot with a sprinkle of salt and fresh lemon wedges

    Serve hot with a sprinkle of salt and fresh lemon wedges.

A little kitchen wisdom

The secret to smooth panelle is whisking the chickpea flour into cold water before heating to prevent lumps. Traditionally, the hot mixture is spread onto specialized wooden boards, but a parchment-lined baking sheet works perfectly at home.

What you'll need

WhiskSaucepanWooden spoonBaking sheetParchment paperDeep fryer or high-sided skillet
Keep the good going

For now. And for later.

Make it ahead

The chickpea dough can be cooked, spread, and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before slicing and frying.

Store & enjoy

Best eaten immediately while hot and crispy. If leftovers remain, store in the fridge and reheat in an air fryer or oven at 400°F (204°C) until crisp. Avoid microwaving as they will become soggy.

Your next favorite, all in one place

A recipe worth keeping.

Save your favorites, plan your meals, and make cooking feel easy with EZdish.

Get the app
Keep exploring

More recipes to try

An AI-created recipe from the EZdish collection. Ingredient quantities and techniques have not been independently kitchen-tested. Published on this website . Updated . First published in the EZdish collection .

Panelle (Sicilian Chickpea Fritters)
Step 1 of 7

Whisk the chickpea flour, salt, and black pepper

In a medium saucepan, whisk the chickpea flour, salt, and black pepper into the cold water until completely smooth and no lumps remain.