Description
This Air Fryer Falafel Recipe is a delicious, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly dish perfect for a healthy snack or meal. Made from soaked dried chickpeas and fresh herbs, these falafels are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, cooked to perfection in an air fryer for a lighter alternative to traditional frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Falafel Mixture
- 2 cups (400 g) dried chickpeas (not canned or cooked)
- 5 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup parsley leaves, chopped
- ½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp baking powder (optional)
For Cooking
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Soak Chickpeas: The day before preparing the falafel, place the dried chickpeas in a large bowl and cover them with at least 3 inches (7 cm) of water. Soak for 18-24 hours until fully hydrated. Drain completely and pat dry with paper towels if too wet.
- Prepare Falafel Mixture: Transfer the soaked chickpeas, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, spices, sea salt, and black pepper into a large food processor. Process in batches if necessary. Pulse for about 20 seconds, scraping down sides and repeating until the mixture is coarse and well combined but not mushy.
- Chill Mixture: Refrigerate the falafel mixture in the food processor bowl for 45-60 minutes or longer to help it firm up.
- Shape Falafel: Use an ice cream scooper to portion the mixture and shape into balls or patties by hand.
- Preheat & Prepare Air Fryer: Spray the falafel balls lightly with cooking spray and also spray the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Preheat air fryer to 375 ºF (190 ºC).
- Air Fry Falafel: Place falafel balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping the falafels after 10 minutes, until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside.
- Serve: Enjoy hot as is or inside pita bread with tahini, lettuce, tomato, and cucumbers.
Notes
- Use dried chickpeas instead of canned or cooked for best texture.
- If the mixture feels too loose, add 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour or regular flour as a binder, especially if deep frying.
- Baking powder is optional but adds lightness and airiness; add it just before cooking, not when refrigerating.
- For oven-baking, shape into patties and bake at 375 ºF (190 ºC) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray with oil for crispiness.
- For deep frying, heat oil to 360 ºF (180 ºC), fry falafel balls or patties for about 4 minutes until golden, turning as needed. Let rest on paper towels to drain oil.
- Uncooked falafel balls can be frozen for up to one month.
- Total times do not include soaking and resting periods.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 18-24 hours soaking and 45-60 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 falafel ball
- Calories: 63
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 146 mg
- Fat: 1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: falafel, air fryer falafel, vegan falafel, gluten free falafel, healthy falafel, Middle Eastern recipe
