Falafel can fall apart for four reasons, they are: 1. The mixture is too dry: Add a little water to help bind the ingredients together. 2. The mixture is too wet: If the falafel mixture is too wet, it can also fall apart. This usually happens when using canned beans or adding too much water. If this happens, add a little flour to help bind the ingredients. I recommend doing this in small amounts. 3. The oil is not hot enough: Before cooking the patties, always test the oil first by placing a small amount of batter in the oil. If the batter sizzles immediately, the oil is ready. 4. The balls are too big: Aim for each patty to be about the size of a golf ball. This size will fry up perfectly in your skillet. 5. The resting time was too short: Resting time allows the mixture to firm up and hold up better in the frying process.