This air fryer falafel recipe is an easy and healthy way to make falafel that are crispy on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside.
Are you looking for a delicious and healthy vegan dish to make in your air fryer or looking for a healthier version of your favourite falafel recipe? Look no further than this easy falafel recipe!
These crispy little orbs are made with chickpeas and herbs, and they’re perfect for satisfying your cravings without all the guilt. They’re so easy to make, and the air fryer cooks them up perfectly every time. You’ll be able to whip them up in no time!
They are packed with protein and fibre, and also low in fat as they aren’t fried in oil. They are a perfect choice for those who are trying to eat healthy.
This falafel recipe is simple to follow, and the results are mouthwateringly good. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today and see for yourself how delicious air fryer falafel can be.
Why You Will LOVE Air Fryer Falafel
- Quick and easy recipe
- No need to spend time soaking chickpeas
- Crispy outsides and tender insides
- No messy frying
- Healthier than traditional oil fried falafel
- Delicious and satisfying vegetarian/vegan meal
- Easy to modify for gluten-free
- Stores well and can be frozen
What is Falafel?
Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas or fava beans that are formed into balls or patties and fried. They are often served inside pita bread with various toppings, such as tahini sauce, hummus, lettuce, and tomato.
While falafel is typically fried, you can also bake or air fry it for a healthier option.
How to Serve Falafel
There are many ways to enjoy falafel!
-Serve it on a bed of lettuce or other greens with hummus, and diced tomatoes.
-Stuff it inside pita bread with your favourite toppings.
-Enjoy it as is, straight from the air fryer!
-Make falafel wraps by spreading some tahini sauce or hummus on a flatbread, topping with falafel, and your favourite toppings. Then roll it up and enjoy.
-Add falafel to a bowl with rice, greens, and other toppings of your choice.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Falafel
Store any leftover falafel in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze them in an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months if you need longer storage.
To reheat, you can either pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes, or heat them up in a skillet with a bit of oil.
Leftover falafel are also great cold, straight from the fridge!
About the Ingredients for Making Air Fryer Falafel
Onion & Garlic – Add an earthy allium flavour to the falafel. If you don’t have any fresh on hand, you can swap them both for ½ teaspoon dried garlic/onion powder. If you are a garlic person, and not a vampire, feel free to measure that with your heart.
Parsley and Cilantro – Adds a grassy freshness to the falafel. If cilantro isn’t your thing, feel free to swap it for additional parsley. I don’t recommend using dried substitutes– the freshness really makes a difference!
Coriander – has a light, floral taste that helps bring out the brightness in the lemon.
Cumin – Enhances the deep earthy flavors even more!
Lemon – Adds brightness and acidity to the falafel. Use freshly juiced lemon if possible, it has better flavour than bottled lemon juice.
Chickpeas – Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are the base of our falafel. Using canned beans is not traditional but is a great shortcut and works just fine with the air fryer method. Canned chickpeas result in a softer falafel that only works for air frying – not for oil frying.
Flour – Helps absorb additional moisture if the falafel are too wet. You can use chickpea flour instead of all-purpose flour if you like.
Can I Use Dry Chickpeas instead of Canned Chickpeas?
Yes, you can make this substitute if you like. To use dry chickpeas you will need to prepare them ahead of time.
Combine 1 cup of dried chickpeas and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in a large bowl, and cover with a few inches of cold water. Allow to soak at room temperature for 24 hours. Rinse and drain soaked beans and proceed with recipe as directed.
Looking for More Air Fryer Recipes?
Check out more of my favourite recipes for air fryer dishes!
Cook a perfect prime rib roast in your air fryer each and every time. This air fryer prime rib is juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection with a tasty horseradish crust!
Looking for a delicious way to enjoy asparagus? Our air fryer roasted asparagus recipe is simple, healthy, and absolutely the best side dish!
Looking for a delicious and easy corned beef recipe? Our air fryer corned beef recipe is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any other day!
How to Make Air Fryer Falafel
Yields: 4 Servings | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 small yellow onion, cut into roughly 1” pieces
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup parsley leaves
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 1-2 tablespoons all purpose flour (if needed)
- Olive oil spray
Directions:
Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture is broken up into a coarse paste– about 30 seconds.
Next add the coriander, cumin, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pulse to combine.
Add the garbanzo beans and pulse until the mixture comes together– about 30 seconds.
It shouldn’t be smooth like hummus, it should have some texture and visible bits of the herbs, but should be smooth enough to hold together in a ball.
Depending on how wet the garbanzo beans were, you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of flour. If the mixture is too mushy and doesn’t form into a smooth ball, simply add the flour 1 tablespoon at a time and pulse to combine.
Scoop out 1.5 tablespoon sized portions and roll them into smooth balls.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and add the falafel, making sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. Spray the top of the falafel with olive oil spray as well.
Air fry at 375F for 13-15 minutes, or until the falafel is golden brown and crisp on the outside.
Serve immediately with your favourite additions – pita, hummus, salad, etc.
Air Fryer Falafel
This air fryer falafel recipe is an easy and healthy way to make falafel that are crispy on the outside and deliciously soft on the inside.
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, cut into roughly 1” pieces
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup parsley leaves
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ lemon, juiced
- 2 (15 ounce) cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 1-2 tablespoons all purpose flour (if needed)
- Olive oil Spray
Instructions
- Add the onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mixture is broken up into a coarse paste– about 30 seconds.
- Next add the coriander, cumin, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pulse to combine.
- Add the garbanzo beans and pulse until the mixture comes together– about 30 seconds. It shouldn’t be smooth like hummus, it should have some texture and visible bits of the herbs, but should be smooth enough to hold together in a ball.
- Depending on how wet the garbanzo beans were, you may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of flour. If the mixture is too mushy and doesn’t form into a smooth ball, simply add the flour 1 tablespoon at a time and pulse to combine.
- Scoop out 1.5 tablespoon sized portions and roll them into smooth balls.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and add the falafel, making sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. Spray the top of the falafel with olive oil spray as well.
- Air fry at 375F for 13-15 minutes, or until the falafel is golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Serve immediately with your favourite additions– pita, hummus, salad, etc.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
4-5 Falafel BallsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 145Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 305mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 7g
This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although frugalmomeh.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!