Air Fryer Falafel - Crispy Air Fried Falafel Recipe! So Easy! (2024)

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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

Free Low Carb / Keto Recipes E-Book!

Air Fryer Falafel - Crispy Air Fried Falafel Recipe! So Easy! (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to deep fry or air fry falafel? ›

Or you could air fry them.

It's true that the falafel cooked this way doesn't get 100 percent as crispy as a traditional deep fry, but it's very close. Plus, the the easy clean-up and use of less oil make it totally worth it.

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Why is my falafel not crispy? ›

Work in batches so that you don't crowd the pan when you fry the falafel as that can cause them to bump into each other and knock them apart. It also lowers the temperature of the oil, which can prevent the protective "crust" from forming and make the balls soggy.

What oil is best for frying falafel? ›

Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. This will give the falafel the characteristic taste of the Mediterranean. As long as you fry on a medium heat, the oil will be good for you. You just don't want the oil to smoke so be careful not to get it too hot.

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Why do you put baking soda in falafel? ›

Baking soda — It may seem odd to add baking soda to a savory recipe, but it helps keeps the interior texture of the falafels fluffy.

How to make crispy in air fryer? ›

However, a small amount of oil is usually necessary to achieve a crispy texture. A drizzle or a quick oil spray is all you need for restaurant-quality fries and golden brown fried chicken, while other foods don't need any oil, like pizza or leftovers you might reheat.

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Why does my falafel fall apart when I fry it? ›

If the mixture is too wet, the falafel has a tendency to fall apart when being fried so please pat dry the ingredients before using them. If you find the mixture is too wet, simply add little more breadcrumbs. The falafel mixture after prepared can be shaped by hand or with a tool called an alb falafel (falafel mold).

Is baking soda or baking powder better for falafel? ›

Baking soda and powder: Baking soda breaks down and softens the chickpeas as they soak. Baking powder, mixed in just before baking, makes the falafel light and airy. Fresh herbs: The tender leaves of parsley, dill, and cilantro bring fresh, herbal flavor and color.

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How bad is fried falafel? ›

That said, falafel is traditionally deep-fried in oil, so falafel purchased at restaurants can be high in fat and calories. Falafel contains a variety of important nutrients, but it's traditionally deep-fried in oil, which can make it high in fat and calories.

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Should I defrost falafel before frying? ›

We recommend thawing the falafel in the fridge before pan frying or deep frying, to ensure even cooking.

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How do you fry falafel without it falling apart? ›

Using soaked dried chickpeas is best. Canned chickpeas are at more risk of falling apart when they hit the oil. Before making the falafel mixture, pat dry or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture from the soaked chickpeas.

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Can you reuse oil after frying falafel? ›

Save the Fry Oil

Don't toss that frying oil! Once it has cooled down, strain out the stray crumbs into a liquid measuring cup, and then pour the strained oil into a jar to reuse for future frying. You can store this oil at room temperature, but it will last longer in the refrigerator.

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Why can't I use canned chickpeas for falafel? ›

Turns out that dried chickpeas are essential to good falafel. See, canned chickpeas have already been cooked. Starch molecules within them have already burst and released their sticky contents, much of which get washed away in the cooking liquid, leaving the remaining chickpeas with very little clinging power.

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Do Muslims eat falafel? ›

In the Mediterranean, many staples in both Muslim and Jewish tables of the period were pareve. This includes falafels and hummus, which are made of chickpeas, salads, and flatbreads. All pareve foods would count as halal regardless.