Air Fryer Falafel recipe! Made with fresh cilantro, mint, and chickpeas, these crispy homemade falafel are a delightful treat. The best part? They're cooked to perfection using an air fryer, reducing the need for excessive oil.
By using the air fryer, you achieve the perfect crispiness without the excess oil. With fresh herbs and spices, these falafels burst with flavor, making them an ideal choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
Falafels are versatile and can be served in various ways. Consider serving them in pita bread with fresh vegetables or as a protein-packed addition to salads or grain bowls. Get creative with sauces and toppings to enhance the flavor.
You can serve this Air fryer Falafel on this Falafel platter.
You can also serve them with these homemade hummus recipes.
Easy homemade dill pickle hummus
Why you will love this recipe
Crispy Texture: Despite being cooked with less oil, these falafels still turn out delightfully crispy on the outside, with a tender and flavorful interior. The air fryer ensures even cooking and browning, giving you that satisfying crunch without the excess grease.
Easy to Make: this easy falafel recipe is beginner-friendly and doesn't require any specialized cooking skills. The use of an air fryer makes the cooking process even more convenient, as it provides consistent results without the need for constant monitoring.
Great for Meal Prep: You can prepare a batch of falafels ahead of time and store them for quick and convenient meals throughout the week. They can be refrigerated or frozen, allowing you to enjoy homemade falafels whenever you desire.
Ingredients
You will need these basic ingredients to make these Air fryer Falafel
Notes on the ingredients
Fresh Cilantro, parsley, and Mint: These herbs contribute fresh and aromatic flavors to the falafels. Make sure to use fresh herbs rather than dried for the best taste. You can adjust the amounts according to your personal preference.
Cumin: Cumin adds a warm and earthy flavor to the falafels. It's a common spice used in Middle Eastern cuisine and pairs well with the other ingredients. You can use ground cumin for convenience or toast and grind whole cumin seeds for an extra burst of flavor.
Oil Spray: Oil spray is used to lightly coat the falafels before air frying, which helps them achieve a crispy exterior. You can use a cooking spray or simply drizzle a small amount of oil evenly over the falafels.
Dry Chickpeas: It's important to use dry chickpeas that have been soaked overnight for optimal texture. Soaking helps soften the chickpeas and allows them to blend into a cohesive mixture.
Garlic: Garlic adds a wonderful savory note to the falafels. You can adjust the amount of garlic cloves to your taste preference.
Red Onion: Red onion provides a mild onion flavor and adds a touch of sweetness to the falafels. It's best to finely chop the red onion before adding it to the falafel mixture.
Water (if needed): Water may be added to adjust the consistency of the falafel mixture if it feels too dry and doesn't hold its shape well. Add water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. Be cautious not to add too much water, as it can make the mixture too wet.
See recipe card for quantities
How to make the Air Frye Falafel: Step by Step
Start by soaking the dry chickpeas in water for about 18-24 hours. This will soften them and make them easier to blend.
The next day, drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas thoroughly.
In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, fresh cilantro, mint, cumin, salt, black pepper, garlic cloves, red onion, and fresh parsley.
Pulse the ingredients until they form a coarse mixture. Avoid over-processing; you want the mixture to have some texture.
Use a cookie scoop and use about 2 tablespoons of the falafel mixture and shape it into small balls or patties. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Lightly spray the falafels with oil spray on all sides to promote crispiness.
Place the falafels in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them for proper air circulation.
Cook the falafels in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Once the falafels are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
Variations
Spicy Falafels: Add a kick of heat by incorporating spicy elements. Include a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chopped jalapenos to the falafel mixture.
Cheesy Falafels: For a cheesy delight, mix in some crumbled feta or grated Parmesan cheese to the falafel mixture. The cheese will add a rich and savory taste to the falafels.
Lemon Zest Falafels: Grate some lemon zest into the falafel mixture for a refreshing and tangy flavor. The citrusy notes will brighten up the falafels and complement the other ingredients.
Storage
Refrigeration: If you plan to consume the leftover falafel within a few days, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Line the container with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.
Freezing: If you want to store the falafels for a longer period, freezing is a great option. Place the cooled falafels in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they don't touch each other. Freeze them for about an hour or until they are firm.
Freezer bags or containers: Once the falafels are partially frozen, transfer them to airtight freezer bags or containers. Label them with the date for reference.
Top tips
- Use dry chickpeas: Using dry chickpeas that have been soaked overnight is essential for achieving the right texture. Canned chickpeas are softer and can result in a mushy falafel.
- Don't over-process the mixture: Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until they form a coarse mixture. Over-processing can make the mixture too smooth and affect the texture of the falafel.
- Adjust the consistency: If the falafel mixture feels too dry and doesn't hold its shape well, add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. Be cautious not to add too much water, as it can make the mixture too wet.
- Use oil spray: Lightly spraying the falafels with oil spray helps them achieve a crispy exterior. Olive oil or cooking spray works well for this purpose.
- Avoid overcrowding: Leave enough space between the falafels in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation. This allows them to cook evenly and become crispy on all sides.
- Flip halfway through to ensure even browning, flip the falafels halfway through the cooking time. This helps them cook uniformly and develop a golden crust.
Serving
When it comes to serving your delicious Air Fryer Falafels, there are several options to consider. Here are some serving suggestions to help you create a delightful meal:
Classic Falafel Sandwich: Stuff your falafels inside warm pita bread along with fresh veggies such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and sliced red onions. Drizzle with tahini sauce or tzatziki for added flavor.
Falafel Salad Bowl: Create a vibrant salad bowl by placing a bed of mixed greens or spinach as the base. Add falafels on top and garnish with cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, and feta cheese. Dress the salad with a lemon vinaigrette or yogurt-based dressing.
Mezze Platter: Serve falafels as part of a Middle Eastern mezze platter. Arrange falafels on a platter alongside hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, and warm pita bread. This allows guests to create their own flavor combinations.
Falafel Bowls: Create a nourishing grain bowl by layering cooked quinoa, rice, or couscous as the base. Top with falafels, roasted vegetables, chickpeas, and a dollop of creamy sauce or hummus.
FAQ
It's recommended to use dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight for the best texture and results. Canned chickpeas are softer and can result in a more mushy falafel. However, if you prefer to use canned chickpeas, make sure to drain and rinse them well before using, and the falafels may have a slightly different texture.
Yes, you can bake the falafels in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them to ensure they are cooked through and golden brown.
It's not recommended to freeze the uncooked falafel mixture as it contains fresh herbs that may lose their flavor and texture upon thawing. It's best to cook the falafels first and then freeze them if you want to store them for later.
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Air fryer Falafel:
Air Fryer Falafel
Ingredients
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray
- 1 ¾ cups dry garbanzo beans soaked overnight
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 small red onion chopped or yellow onion
- ½ cup fresh parsley
- cold Water if needed
Instructions
- Start by soaking the dry chickpeas in water for about 18-24 hours. This will soften them and make them easier to blend.
- The next day, drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas thoroughly.
- In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, fresh cilantro, mint, cumin, salt, black pepper, garlic cloves, red onion, and fresh parsley.
- Pulse the ingredients until they form a coarse mixture. Avoid over-processing; you want the mixture to have some texture.
- If the mixture feels dry and doesn't hold its shape well, add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Use a cookie scoop and use about 2 tablespoons of the falafel mixture and shape it into small balls or patties. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly spray the falafels with oil spray on all sides to promote crispiness.
- Place the falafels in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them for proper air circulation.
- Cook the falafels in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Once the falafels are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- You can also make a delicious tahini sauce or yogurt-based sauce to accompany the falafels for added flavor.
Notes
- Use dry chickpeas: Using dry chickpeas that have been soaked overnight is essential for achieving the right texture. Canned chickpeas are softer and can result in a mushy falafel.
- Don't over-process the mixture: Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until they form a coarse mixture. Over-processing can make the mixture too smooth and affect the texture of the falafel.
- Adjust the consistency: If the falafel mixture feels too dry and doesn't hold its shape well, add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. Be cautious not to add too much water, as it can make the mixture too wet.
- Use oil spray: Lightly spraying the falafels with oil spray helps them achieve a crispy exterior. Olive oil or cooking spray works well for this purpose.
- Avoid overcrowding: Leave enough space between the falafels in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation. This allows them to cook evenly and become crispy on all sides.
- Flip halfway through to ensure even browning, flip the falafels halfway through the cooking time. This helps them cook uniformly and develop a golden crust.
Ann
I have never tried falafel before, but it sounds delicious! Love how you can make it in the air fryer.
Sophie Viau
Hey Ann!
Air-frying falafel is a fantastic way to achieve a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft and flavorful.
Jamie
Wow! Another recipe for our very reliable Air Fryer! This Falafel recipe looks so delicious and very yummy! Totally love the crispy texture makes this very appealing especially among kids!
Sophie Viau
Hey Jamie,
Absolutely! Falafel made in the air fryer is not only delicious and flavorful but also healthier compared to traditional deep-frying methods. The air fryer gives the falafel a nice crispy texture on the outside while keeping the inside soft and flavorful.
Amy Liu Dong
I made this, and it was a winning dish for last night's dinner.
It is so easy to make and delicious!
Sophie Viau
Hey Amy,
That's fantastic to hear! I'm thrilled that the dish was a winner for your dinner. Easy and delicious recipes are always a hit, and I'm glad this one delivered on both fronts