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This Air FryerFalafel recipe is easy to make in the air fryer and cooks up light, fluffy and super crispy. They are the perfect healthy appetizer or side and make a delicious vegan protein topping over a salad with a drizzle of tahini dressing.
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Healthy Air Fryer Falafel
Are you a fan of falafel but don’t feel like making a mess using a deep fryer? Once summer comes around, we are all about using ourair fryer and Instant Pot since they don’t heat up the house.ThisAir Fryer Falafel is perfect because you won’t have to stand over a hot stove flipping them. A few other vegetables we love making in our air fryer are theseAir Fryer Zucchini Fritters,Air Fryer CauliflowerandAir Fryer Broccoli.
Where did Falafel come from
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from a mixture of chickpeas (or fava beans), spices and fresh herbs that you form into small patties or balls.
An authentic falafel recipe is traditionally deep fried in order to give the patties that crispy texture on the outside with a soft and doughy texture on the inside. With this air fried falafel recipe, you can skip the deep fryer and avoid all that greasy mess.
Why we love this air fryer recipe
What I love about making falafel in the air fryer is that it’s made with simple pantry ingredients you most likely have in your kitchen.
Plus, our falafel recipe is also gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and totally kid-friendly. My son loves falafel and we make this for him at least once a week!
Ingredients you need to make crispy air fryer falafel
- Canned chickpeas – you can also use dried chickpeas that have been soaked and then cook either in the Instant Pot or on the stove
- Red onion – roughly chopped
- Garlic – you’ll need 2 cloves to add dimension and flavor.
- Lemon juice – be sure to use fresh lemon for some brightness.
- Fresh herbs: we like using a mix offresh parsley and fresh cilantro.
- Nutritional yeast – mimics the taste of gratedparmesan. You may sub with regular parmesan if not dairy-free or vegan.
- Spices: we like usingsmoked paprika,cumin andground coriander.
- Salt andblack pepper – add more or less to taste.
- Superfine blanched almond flour– our favorite grain-free low carb flour to help hold the falafel together. You can sub with gluten-free oat flour, chickpea flour or evenregular all purpose flour if notgluten-free.
- Baking soda– helps the falafel rise and makes them light and crispy.
How to make Air Fryer Falafel
To make the delicious falafel mixture:
- Blend the chickpeas: Place drained chickpeas in a food processor with onion and garlic. Gently pulse for about 30 seconds until the chickpeas are mostly smooth.
- Add seasonings: Add lemon juice, parsley, coriander, nutritional yeast, paprika, cumin, ground coriander, salt and pepper. Process again until combined and then stir in the flour and baking soda.
- Shap into patties: Take a tablespoon-sized scoop of the mixture and roll into a ball or form into patties. Repeat with remaining mixture. It should make around 15 falafel. Place the patties in the fridge for 30 minutes (or the freezer for 10 minutes) to firm up.
How to Air Fry Falafel
- Coat with oil: Lightly coat each falafel with cooking spray – we like to use 100% avocado oil. Working in batches, place the patties in the air fryer basket.
- What temperature:Turn the air fryer to 375F.
- How long to air fry:Cook for 12-13 minutes, flipping each one over half-way through.
Storage and make ahead instructions
How to store: Crispy air fryer falafel are best served hot on the same day. But if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
How to reheat: Place falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350F for 3-4 minutes or until warm and crispy. For the oven, place the falafel on a baking sheet and bake at 350F for 8-12 minutes or until warm and crispy.
How to make ahead:Simply combine all of the falafel ingredients together and store in an airtight container or a large bowl covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to cook, remove the bowl from the fridge and form into patties.
Can you freeze air fryer falafel?
Yes, the great thing about making this gluten free falafel is that you can easily make it ahead of time for a party or a picnic.
How to freeze: Once you form the mixture into patties or balls, place them on a large baking sheet and freeze for at least 40 minutes, or until firm. Transfer the hardened falafel patties into a large resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months.When ready to cook, fry or bake them straight from the freezer. You will need to adjust the cooking time.
What to serve with falafel
Packed with protein, fiber and nutrients, we think this classic Mediterranean recipe is delicious alone, in pitas,wraps, sandwiches, over salads or served with some cauliflower rice.
You can serve them for lunch, dinner or as an appetizer as a mezze with a freshveggie platteralong:
- Tzatziki or tahini sauce
- hummusORSpinach Tahini Hummus
- In a bowl or this Falafel Salad
More air fryer recipes you might like:
Healthy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Easy Air Fryer Tofu
How to Use An Air Fryer
5 from 8 votes
Air Fryer Falafel
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
ThisAir FryerFalafelrecipe is easy to make in the air fryer and cooks up light, fluffy and super crispy. They are the perfect healthy appetizer or side and make a delicious vegan protein topping over a salad with a drizzle of tahini dressing.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: air fried falafel, falafel, falafel recipe, how to make falafels
Servings: 15 serving
Calories: 82 kcal
Author: Kelly
Ingredients
- 2 cans (14-ounce) organic no salt added chickpeas , rinsed, drained well & patted dry
- 1 small red onion , roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 3/4 tsp salt
- black pepper
- 2 tbsp superfine blanched almond flour , you can also sub with gluten-free oat flour, chickpea flour or evenregular all purpose flour if notgluten-free.
- 1 tsp baking soda
Instructions
Place drained chickpeas in a food processor with onion and garlic. Pulse for about 30 seconds until the chickpeas are mostly smooth.
Add lemon juice, parsley, coriander, nutritional yeast, paprika, cumin, ground coriander, salt and pepper. Blend again until smooth and combined. Then stir in the flour and baking soda.
Take a tablespoon-sized scoop of the mixture and roll into a ball or form into patties. Repeat with remaining mixture. It should make around 15 falafel. Place the patties in the fridge for 30 minutes (or the freezer for 10 minutes) to firm up.
When ready to cook, lightly coat each falafel with avocado oil spray. Working in batches, place patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Turn the air fryer to 375F and cook or 12-13 minutes, flipping each one over half-way through.
Best served hot but will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge or freeezer for up to 3 months.
Recipe Notes
How to store: Crispy air fryer falafel are best served hot on the same day. But if you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
How to reheat: Place falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350F for 3-4 minutes or until warm and crispy. For the oven, place the falafel on a baking sheet and bake at 350F for 8-12 minutes or until warm and crispy.
How to make ahead:Simply combine all of the falafel ingredients together and store in an airtight container or a large bowl covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you're ready to cook, remove the bowl from the fridge and form into patties.
How to freeze: Once you form the mixture into patties or balls, place them on a large baking sheet and freeze for at least 40 minutes, or until firm. Transfer the hardened falafel patties into a large resealable freezer bag for up to 3 months.When ready to cook, fry or bake them straight from the freezer. You will need to adjust the cooking time.
Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Falafel
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 82 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 3g6%
* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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