Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

Introduction

This easy falafel recipe offers a delicious and healthy way to enjoy the classic Middle Eastern treat at home. Made with simple ingredients and cooked in an air fryer, these falafel balls come out crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. Perfect for sandwiches, salads, or as a snack.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas (15.5 oz, rinsed, drained and dried on paper towels)
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour or almond flour)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• Olive oil spray

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the quartered onion and garlic cloves in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse a few times until they are roughly chopped.
2. Step 2: Add the chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, cumin, salt, coriander, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the food processor. Pulse until all ingredients are combined evenly.
3. Step 3: Add the rinsed, drained, and dried chickpeas. Pulse 2-3 times carefully—you want the chickpeas roughly chopped, not pureed.
4. Step 4: Add the flour and pulse 2-3 more times just until combined. Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the flour with a rubber spatula.
5. Step 5: Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or freeze for 25 minutes to firm up the mixture.
6. Step 6: Add the baking powder and fold it into the chilled mixture with a spatula or spoon. This will help make the falafel fluffy inside.
7. Step 7: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, divide the mixture into 12 portions. Roll each into a ball using your fingers. If you like, slightly flatten them into discs for extra crispiness.
8. Step 8: Spray the basket of an air fryer with olive oil spray. Place the falafel balls inside, spaced apart, and spray them lightly with more olive oil spray.
9. Step 9: Air fry the falafel at 350°F for 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through cooking after 8 minutes. Cook until golden and crisp.

Tips & Variations

• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with chickpea flour or almond flour.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, you can shallow fry or bake the falafel until crispy.
• Adding a pinch of ground cayenne pepper or smoked paprika can add a nice smoky heat to the falafel.
• Serve with tahini sauce, hummus, or in pita bread with fresh veggies for a full meal.

Storage

Store cooked falafel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use the air fryer or oven to restore crispiness—avoid microwaving as it will make them soggy. You can freeze uncooked falafel balls for up to 1 month; thaw before cooking.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?

Yes, but you’ll need to soak dried chickpeas overnight and cook them until tender before using. Be sure not to overcook or puree them; they should remain slightly coarse.

What if I don’t have a food processor?

You can finely chop the onion, garlic, herbs, and chickpeas by hand, but it will take more time and effort to get the right texture. The mixture shouldn’t be pureed, just finely chopped and combined.

Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 56 reviews

This easy falafel recipe delivers crispy, flavorful falafel balls made from chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices, cooked using an air fryer for a healthier twist on the traditional deep-fried dish. Perfect as a snack or in wraps and salads, these falafel are fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

• Author: Windy
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 falafel balls 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Falafel Mixture

• 1 can chickpeas (15.5 oz, rinsed, drained and dried on paper towels)
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour or almond flour)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

For Cooking

• Olive oil spray

Instructions

1. Prepare aromatics: Place the quartered onion and garlic cloves into a food processor bowl and pulse a few times until they are roughly chopped, creating a flavorful base for your falafel.
2. Add herbs and spices: Add the chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, salt, ground coriander, ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the food processor. Pulse until all ingredients are combined evenly.
3. Process chickpeas: Add the rinsed, drained, and dried chickpeas to the food processor and pulse 2-3 times. Be careful not to overprocess; the chickpeas should be roughly chopped and not pureed to retain texture.
4. Incorporate flour: Add the flour to the mixture and pulse 2-3 times more until just combined. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the flour with a rubber spatula to avoid overworking.
5. Chill the mixture: Transfer the falafel mixture into a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or longer. Alternatively, freeze it for 25 minutes to firm up.
6. Add baking powder: After chilling, fold in the baking powder with a rubber spatula or spoon to help the falafel become fluffy inside once cooked.
7. Shape the falafel: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon, portion out 12 equal portions of the dough. Roll each portion between your fingers into balls or flatten into discs if you prefer more crispiness.
8. Prepare air fryer: Spray the basket of your air fryer with olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Place the falafel balls inside the basket, spaced apart to allow even cooking. Spray the falafel lightly with olive oil spray on top.
9. Air fry falafel: Cook the falafel in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Flip the falafel halfway through cooking (after 8 minutes) for even crispiness on all sides.

Notes

• Ensure chickpeas are well dried after rinsing to prevent soggy falafel.
• If you do not have an air fryer, the falafel can be shallow or deep-fried in oil until golden and crispy.
• Feel free to adjust the spices like cumin and red pepper flakes to suit your taste preferences.
• Falafel mixture can be prepared a day ahead and kept refrigerated for better flavor development.
• Serve falafel with tahini sauce, hummus, or in pita bread with fresh vegetables.

Keywords: falafel, chickpeas, air fryer falafel, Middle Eastern snack, vegetarian falafel, easy falafel recipe