Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

Stuff falafel in a warm pita sandwich with lots of veggies and a drizzle of tahini sauce. Or make a filling falafel salad bowl. Or just munch them as a snack with a side of hummus.

What is Falafel? 

Falafel is popular Middle Eastern street food made from a mixture of chickpeas (or fava beans in Egypt), herbs and spices. Balls or patty shape is formed from this mixture and then deep-fried into the hot oil.

❤️ You’ll Love This Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

Easy to make: Add everything to a food processor and make the mixture. Chill in the fridge, shape and air fry. The procedure can’t be simpler than this.  Texture: Crunchy & crispy on the outside with soft, moist and fluffy from inside.  Taste: savory, grainy and herby without any strong flavors. Meal prep friendly: You can make ahead and freeze the uncooked balls. So it can be ready in minutes whenever you’re craving for it. 

🧾 Ingredient Notes

Chickpeas (DRIED): Always use dried chickpeas and soak them for 18-24 hours. The falafel mixture made from soaked chickpeas gives the best result. Don’t use canned chickpeas to make air fryer falafel. It makes the mixture lose with lots of moisture. And it makes it hard to shape the balls. To reduce the moisture one will add some flour thus the end product will turn hard and dense. Herbs: Always use fresh parsley and cilantro. It gives the best refreshing flavor. Baking powder: It gives falafel an airy, fluffy texture from the inside. If you skip it then you’ll end with a dense texture.

👩‍🍳 How To Make Air Fryer Falafel? (Pics)

Soaking Chickpeas:

1. Take chickpeas in a colander and wash/rinse them under running cold water until water runs clear. Take them into a large bowl.
2. Add enough water (3-inches above the chickpeas), cover and let it soak for 18-24 hours.
3. After the soaking, they get doubled or almost triple in size.
4. Drain the soaking water. Making Air Fryer Falafel:
5. Add parsley, cilantro, onion and garlic in a food processor.
6. Pulse it to make a coarsely ground mixture.
7. Add soaked, drained chickpeas, spices (ground coriander, ground cumin, cayenne pepper), salt, pepper and baking powder.
8. Pulse it until you get the finely ground mixture. Make sure not to over-process and don’t make it paste-like. Keep the mixture slightly coarse. 
9. Remove the mixture to a bowl, cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. Yes, this step is necessary, it helps to bind and makes it easier to shape into balls.
10. Now start shaping into a ball or patty shape. I have used 1 ½ tablespoons size of cookie scoop to make even-sized falafels. 
11. Try squeezing with the help of your palm and shape into a ball.
12. Transfer the balls into an air fryer basket. Spray the balls lightly with cooking oil spray. 
13. Air fry them at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-13 minutes. Around 8-9 minutes, shake the basket or gently move around the balls for even browning. Remove them to a plate and repeat the same for rest.

💭 Expert Tips For Best Air Fryer Falafel

Always use dry chickpeas (not canned or cooked). Soak the chickpeas for 24 hours and use them in the recipe.  Chill the falafel mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The starch from dried, soaked chickpeas have enough time to soak up, so it will be easy to form the balls without falling apart.  Don’t use the ‘quick soaking’ method for chickpeas that doesn’t work here. Shape the falafel into a patty shape if you are planning to serve into pita pockets. Flat, disc-shaped falafel is easy to stuff in pita bread.

🥣 Storage Instructions

Leftover air fryer falafel can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days. Or can be frozen for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that refrigerated falafel will lose its crispness. Reheat them in an air fryer to make them slightly crispy again. Make-ahead options:

Make the falafel mixture a night before and keep it refrigerated. Next day shape and air fry.  You can make balls and store them in the fridge for the next day’s cooking. Or balls can be frozen without cooking.  To freeze balls, arrange them on a baking tray and freeze until frozen. Then transfer them to a ziplock bag to avoid clumping them together.  Air fry the frozen falafel (increase the cooking time a few more minutes) or thaw them and then air fry.

🍽 Serving Ideas

Make falafel sandwiches by stuffing the pita bread with these crispy air fryer falafel, lots of veggies and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce. Make a wrap. Try by spreading hummus on the wrap, adding falafel, cucumber, onion, tomatoes and your choice of veggies and sauce. For the low-carb version, use the lettuce leaves instead of a wrap. Make falafel salad bowl with romaine lettuce, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, olives, feta and tahini sauce. Have them as a snack with instant pot hummus or any other store-bought flavored hummus. 

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