Description
This Air Fryer Falafel recipe offers an authentic Middle Eastern taste with minimal oil, delivering crispy, flavorful falafel made from soaked chickpeas and fresh herbs, air fried to perfection for a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Falafel Mixture
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1 cup fresh cilantro (coriander), including stems
- 10 large fresh mint leaves
- 4 green onions
- 1–2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons chickpea flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Cooking
- Cooking oil spray (olive oil spray recommended)
Instructions
- Soak the Chickpeas: In a large bowl, soak the dried chickpeas in water for 8 hours or overnight in the fridge. Ensure the bowl is large enough as the chickpeas will double in size.
- Prepare Chickpeas: Drain the soaked chickpeas and rinse well under cold water using a colander. Add them to a food processor and pulse a few times to chop them up coarsely.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Roughly chop the fresh parsley, cilantro, and mint leaves. Add these herbs along with chopped green onions, garlic cloves, chickpea flour, ground cumin, baking powder, water, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
- Pulse to Combine: Pulse the mixture until well combined but still retains some texture; avoid over-blending to keep a slightly coarse consistency.
- Shape Falafel Balls: Using wet hands, scoop a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and form into balls, making about 14-16 falafel balls depending on size. If mixture is too crumbly, add additional water; if too wet, add a spoon of flour.
- Chill the Falafel: Place the shaped falafel balls on a parchment-lined tray and chill in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to set.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the basket with olive oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook First Side: Arrange falafel balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching. Spray them generously with oil and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly golden.
- Flip and Cook Second Side: Open the air fryer, gently flip the falafel balls, spray again with oil, and cook for an additional 4 minutes until golden brown. Remove and repeat with remaining falafel.
- Serve: Enjoy your air-fried falafel with pita bread, hummus, tabbouleh, and a drizzle of tahini sauce or use them to make delicious falafel wraps.
Notes
- Soaking the chickpeas overnight is essential for the falafel texture and flavor.
- The falafel mixture should be moist enough to hold together but not too wet; adjust flour or water as needed.
- Air frying uses minimal oil but still achieves a crispy outside.
- Cook falafel in batches to avoid overcrowding in the air fryer basket.
- Letting falafel chill before cooking helps them hold their shape during air frying.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Air Fryer Falafel, Healthy Falafel, Vegan Falafel, Middle Eastern Appetizer, Chickpea Recipe, Low Oil Falafel
