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Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 124 reviews

This Air Fryer Falafel recipe offers a healthier way to enjoy crispy, flavorful falafel without frying in oil. Made from chickpeas, fresh herbs, and aromatic spices, these falafel balls are air fried to perfection for a crunchy outside and tender inside. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or filling for wraps and salads, this easy-to-follow recipe yields delicious falafel in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Falafel Mixture

  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

For Cooking

  • Olive oil spray (for spraying)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Gather all ingredients and prep the onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro by roughly chopping or mincing as indicated to ensure smooth blending.
  2. Blend the Mixture: In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, flour, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and baking powder. Pulse the mixture until coarsely blended but not pureed to maintain a good texture for the falafel.
  3. Form Mixture into Balls: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small balls or patties roughly the size of a golf ball, ensuring they hold together well.
  4. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to get it ready for cooking the falafel evenly.
  5. Spray with Olive Oil: Lightly spray each falafel ball with olive oil to help create a crispy and golden crust during the air frying process.
  6. Air Fry: Place the falafel balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, then carefully flip them over and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
  7. Check for Doneness: Verify that the falafel are cooked through by checking that they are firm and have a well-browned crust on both sides.
  8. Serving: Remove the falafel from the air fryer and let them cool slightly for a couple of minutes before serving warm with your choice of accompaniments such as tahini sauce, pita bread, or salad.

Notes

  • For gluten-free falafel, substitute regular flour with chickpea flour.
  • If the mixture seems too wet, add a little more flour to help bind.
  • You can prepare the falafel mixture ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.
  • The olive oil spray helps produce a crispy texture similar to traditional frying but with less oil.
  • Ensure falafel are spaced out in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness.

Keywords: falafel, air fryer, chickpeas, Middle Eastern, gluten-free, vegetarian, appetizer, healthy snack

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