Print

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/easy-air-fryer-falafel-recipe/