Craving crispy, golden falafel without the mess of deep frying? This Air Fryer Falafel recipe delivers perfectly cooked, delightfully tender falafel right from your kitchen, making it your go-to for a healthy and satisfying meal.
Key Ingredients for Air Fryer Falafel
- 1 ½ cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
- ½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- ½ medium onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Salt, to taste (start with ½ teaspoon)
- Black pepper, to taste (start with ¼ teaspoon)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil, for brushing
How to Make Air Fryer Falafel
Get ready for incredibly easy and satisfying Air Fryer Falafel! This recipe is a game-changer, turning dried chickpeas into perfectly crispy spheres in minutes. Preparation is a breeze, taking about 20 minutes before they hit the air fryer, and cooking is lightning fast.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chickpeas: If using dried chickpeas, ensure they have been soaked overnight and thoroughly drained. For a quicker method, you can use two 15-ounce cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed very well. Do not cook the chickpeas before proceeding; we want them to be firm.
- Process the Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped but not yet a paste. You want some texture still remaining.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Spices: Add the all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), baking powder, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
- Combine the Mixture: Pulse the food processor again until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture starts to come together. It should be moist enough to form patties but not overly wet. If it seems too wet, you can add another tablespoon of flour. If it seems too dry, add a teaspoon of water or lemon juice at a time until it binds.
- Form the Falafel: Lightly dampen your hands with water. Take about 1-2 tablespoons of the falafel mixture and roll it into a ball. Gently flatten the ball into a disc or a small patty shape, about ½ inch thick. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange Falafel in Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or brush it with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the formed falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.
- Cook the Falafel: Lightly brush or spray the tops of the falafel with olive oil.
- First Cook: Air fry for 8-10 minutes.
- Flip and Finish: Carefully flip the falafel over. Lightly brush or spray the other side with olive oil.
- Second Cook: Continue to air fry for another 6-8 minutes, or until the falafel are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and heated through. Cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your falafel.
- Serve: Remove the Air Fryer Falafel from the basket and serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Falafel
You’ll adore this Air Fryer Falafel for its incredible crunch and fluffy interior, a delightful texture that rivals traditional fried versions but with a fraction of the oil. Making these golden spheres at home is not only rewarding but also incredibly budget-friendly, saving you a significant amount compared to buying them pre-made or at a restaurant. The vibrant blend of herbs like parsley and cilantro, along with the warming spices such as cumin and coriander, creates a flavor profile that’s both authentic and irresistibly delicious, especially when paired with your favorite creamy tahini sauce or fresh salad.
Forget the oil splatters and the guilt of deep frying; this Air Fryer Falafel recipe offers a healthier, easier, and more convenient way to enjoy this beloved Middle Eastern classic. It’s the perfect foundation for quick lunches or dinners, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet experience right on your tabletop. Give it a try and discover how simple, satisfying, and downright delicious homemade falafel can be!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your Air Fryer Falafel will ensure you can enjoy them even after they’ve cooled.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled, store leftover falafel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the falafel back into your preheated air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are warmed through and slightly crisped again. You can also reheat them in a toaster oven or on a baking sheet in a conventional oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as this can make them soft and unappealing.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze cooked falafel. Ensure they are completely cooled, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the falafel to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. To reheat from frozen, follow the reheating instructions for refrigerated falafel, adding a few extra minutes to ensure they are heated through.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Falafel recipe is a testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients can be transformed into a delightful and healthy meal with the help of modern kitchen gadgets. Give it a go this week; you’ll be amazed at how easy and rewarding it is to create such delicious falafel at home!
Air Fryer Falafel
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using dried chickpeas, ensure they have been soaked overnight and thoroughly drained. For a quicker method, you can use two 15-ounce cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed very well. Do not cook the chickpeas before proceeding; we want them to be firm.1.5 cups dried chickpeas
- In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh cilantro, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped but not yet a paste. You want some texture still remaining.1.5 cups dried chickpeas, 0.5 cup fresh parsley, 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, 0.5 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic cloves
- Add the all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend), ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), baking powder, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander, 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 0.5 teaspoon baking powder, 0.5 teaspoon salt, 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- Pulse the food processor again until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture starts to come together. It should be moist enough to form patties but not overly wet. If it seems too wet, you can add another tablespoon of flour. If it seems too dry, add a teaspoon of water or lemon juice at a time until it binds.
- Lightly dampen your hands with water. Take about 1-2 tablespoons of the falafel mixture and roll it into a ball. Gently flatten the ball into a disc or a small patty shape, about ½ inch thick. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or brush it with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the formed falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Lightly brush or spray the tops of the falafel with olive oil.1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Air fry for 8-10 minutes.
- Carefully flip the falafel over. Lightly brush or spray the other side with olive oil.1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Continue to air fry for another 6-8 minutes, or until the falafel are golden brown, crispy on the outside, and heated through. Cooking time can vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of your falafel.
- Remove the Air Fryer Falafel from the basket and serve immediately.