Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
373 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Appetizer, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
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Cuisine
American, Middle Eastern
Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe
Description
The recipe starts by pulsing soaked dried chickpeas with garlic, onion, and cilantro to a coarse blend, maintaining some texture. Olive oil is added during processing to improve binding. Ground coriander, cumin, allspice, salt, baking powder, and almond flour are mixed in to add flavor and structure. The mix rests in the refrigerator to firm up before shaping into balls.
Falafel balls are cooked in an air fryer at 370°F for 10 to 15 minutes until crisp and golden, shaken halfway through to ensure even cooking. Alternatively, they can be baked in the oven. The accompanying tahini yogurt sauce combines yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and tahini paste for a creamy, tangy complement.
The falafel's crisp exterior and tender interior create a pleasant contrast. Using dried chickpeas rather than canned ensures proper texture. Variations with herbs and spice levels allow personalization. The recipe is suitable for those seeking a flavorful falafel with a lighter cooking method compared to frying.
The falafels keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, offering convenient leftovers. Careful pulse processing and chilling improve cohesiveness and texture, with almond flour providing gluten-free binding. Cooking spray helps prevent sticking in the air fryer.
Ingredients
Air Fryer Falafels Ingredients:
- 1 cup chickpeas soaked over night, dried, 250g
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 red onion roughly chopped, medium
- 1 handful cilantro coriander, fresh leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon cumin ground
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons almond flour ground almonds
Tahini Yoghurt Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup yogurt 250g
- lemon juice of 1
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon tahini paste
Instructions
Air Fryer Falafel Instructions:
- Add the chickpeas, garlic, onion and cilantro leaves to a food processor and whiz until the mixture is coarsely ground.
- Then stream in the olive oil and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped but not mushy.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add in all the spices, salt, baking powder and ground almonds and mix well.
- Adjust seasoning before refrigerating for 1 hour.
- Wet your hands and roll about 2 tablespoons of the falafel into a small ball and transfer to a plate or baking tray. Repeat with the rest of the mixture until all falafel balls are formed.
- Place the falafel in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch.
- Cook at 370 degrees F / 188 degrees C for 10 - 15 mins, shaking air fryer basket halfway through the cook time. The falafel is done when crisp and golden brown.
Baked Falafel Instructions:
- Follow steps 1-5 above.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F / 170 degrees C / Gas 5 and line a baking tray.
- Spray the falafels with some olive oil and then bake for about 25 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
Tahini Yoghurt Sauce Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients for the tahini yoghurt sauce in a bowl and mix until well combined.
- Serve your Air Fryer Falafel recipe with the tahini yoghurt sauce, flatbreads, pickled onions and salad.
Notes
- Chilling the falafel mixture in the refrigerator before shaping helps with texture and easier handling.
- If excess liquid is present, squeeze it out to improve consistency.
- Pulse chickpeas until finely chopped but not mushy to retain texture.
- Use cooking spray in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking, though oil-free cooking is possible.
- Falafel can be shaped into patties instead of balls for a different form.
- Maintain consistent ball or patty size for even cooking.
- Turn falafel carefully to avoid breaking; using tongs or shaking helps.
- Substitute almond flour with other gluten-free flours if preferred.
- Always use dried chickpeas soaked overnight; canned chickpeas are too soft for this recipe.
- Try varying fresh herbs like mint or parsley for different flavor profiles.
- Add chili as desired for heat.
- Store falafel in refrigerator up to 5 days.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 373 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 373kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 533mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 636mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 11g | 44% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 176IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 191mg | 19% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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