Air Fryer Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern snack recipe made with soaked and dried chickpeas. Traditionally deep fried, this Air Fryer version of the recipe is low oil, naturally gluten free, vegan and high in protein. Serve as appetizer, hors d'oeuvre and even part of a mezze platter with hummus and pita bread
Air fryer Falafel recipe is a healthier version of a popular Middle Eastern Snack or mezze made with chickpeas, herbs and spices. Traditionally falafel balls are deep fried and served hot. However, the air fried version is definitely healthier and satisfies both in terms of taste and texture.
It is a crowd favorite snack or hors d'oeuvre. Falafel is gluten-free, vegan and plant-based food and uses soaked chickpeas (not cooked). Can be served with dips of your choice or hummus.
The recipe uses basic ingredients from pantry. You can store falafel in freezer and air fry when required making it perfect for meal prep. Much healthier than fries, tater tots or hash browns.
If your family loves chickpeas, here are some of the recipes you must try Instant Pot Chickpeas Pilaf, Chickpeas Salad and Chickpea Sundal
Jump to:
About Falafel
Falafels balls are traditionally deep fried snack made with soaked and ground chickpeas, herbs and spices. It is a traditional Middle Eastern snack or appetizer.
Falafel traditionally is made using Fava Beans (also called as broad beans) and Chickpeas. However, the chickpeas version became more popular and common. A combination of both can also be used to make falafels.
Falafel is made during the Holy Month of Ramadan for Iftar.
As part of mezze platter (assorted snacks), falafel is served with hummus and pita bread.
Naturally Gluten Free, Vegan and high in protein, this snack is filling and tastes best when served hot.
Falafel exterior is crunchy with a soft center. The air fryer version replicates (almost) the deep fried version with few spoons of oil.
Ingredients
The full list of ingredients is provided in the recipe card below.
Chickpeas - To make falafel, you need to soak dried beans overnight or 6-7 hours. Falafel is made with soaked or hydrated chickpeas.
It is important to soak chickpeas with enough water and next day, drain the water used for soaking.
I do not use baking soda to soak the chickpeas.
Falafels made with soaked chickpeas yields the best texture. It should be slightly coarse when ground in a processor. Very little flour is used for binding, just enough to soak up moisture, if any.
Chickpea Flour - Just add enough to soak up the moisture. Too much will affect taste. Chickpea flour is naturally gluten-free and vegan.
Herbs - Traditionally, flat leaf parsley is used. I have used cilantro.
Garlic - I have used 12 garlic cloves for 3 cups of chickpeas. It might seem a lot. Feel free to adjust the quantity if you are worried about the garlic breath.
Cumin Seeds vs. Roasted Cumin powder - Falafel typically has ground cumin but I love the cumin seeds instead and added them. The recipe card below will have the information about the substitutions and quantities.
Olive Oil - Substitute olive oil with any neutral cooking oil. Perfect substitutes are avocado, sunflower or regular vegetable oil. Butter or ghee is not recommended for this recipe.
Note - While a food processor is recommended to get the desired coarse texture, you can easily make do with a mixer grinder jar. I would recommend you to use the chutney jar attachment to grind the ingredients in small batches.
Step-wise Air Fryer Falafel recipe
The process of making falafel is simple. There is not much chopping involved either.
Please note that texture of the deep fried falafel mixture is coarser in comparison to air fryer.
To a food processor jar, add all the ingredients except chickpea flour. The texture should be slightly coarse.
Add chickpea flour if you find difficulty in shaping the falafel patties.
I have used 2 tablespoons Chickpea flour to bind the ingredients. This will prevent the falafel patties from disintegrating in the air fryer basket.
Shape as patty or balls. I prefer patty as it can be easily stuffed into wraps or sandwiches.
Refrigerate the falafel patties for atleast 30 minutes. This is crucial.
If you are making falafel for meal prep - Store the patties in an airtight container or ziplock bags in refrigerator or freezer.
Frozen patties needs to be thawed before air frying.
Place required falafel patties in a greased air fryer basket.
Serving Suggestions
Dips - Serve Falafel with pita bread, Beetroot Hummus, Labneh dip with zaatar or Tzatziki.
Falafel Burgers - Shape falafel as thick patty and stuff between toasted burger buns. A layer or hummus instead of mayo, pickled vegetables and a side of coleslaw makes it a perfect snack for picnics, potlucks and summer BBQ parties.
Wraps or Gyros - Makes a great snack during summers with whole grain or multigrain tortilla. Include grilled halloumi cheese with the falafel for a perfect Mediterranean wrap experience.
Falafel Bowls - You can turn this snack into a full fledged meal by adding some cooked quinoa, baked pita chips, hummus and a side of Greek Salad.
Sandwich - You could make grilled sandwiches with sourdough bread and falafels. Apply some mint sauce or hummus for a creamy sandwich experience and serve with some Air Fryer French Fries and a glass of Strawberry Banana Milkshake.
FAQ's
Falafel is traditionally deep fried but the air fryer version makes it healthy, low oil and a delicious snack.
Beans, in general, tend to cause gas or flatulence as they take a while to digest. We do add spices like ground cumin and coriander in the falafel making it easier to digest.
Yes, you can bake falafels in an oven. Preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 180 Degree Celsius. Bake the falafel for 20 minutes. Turn the tray once or twice during the baking time for even browning. Spray oil on the baking tray and the top of each falafel.
Yes. Falafel is excellent for meal prep. Shape and freeze the patty. Thaw and air fry as required.
It stays fresh in refrigerator for 4 - 5 days in an airtight container. It can be reheated in an air fryer or microwave.
More Air Fryer Snack Recipes
Air Fryer Broccoli Tater Tots - A kid friendly, low on spice snack recipe.
Veg Cutlets - Loaded with vegetables, this recipe contains No Breadcrumbs.
Air Fryer Cauliflower Tikka - Cauliflower coated with Indian Spices and air fried to perfection. Use it as stuffing for tacos, wraps or sandwiches.
Please take a moment to LEAVE A COMMENT and a STAR * rating on the blog. It would encourage others to try the recipe or you could TAG US on any of our social media handles –INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, FACEBOOK PAGE AND PINTEREST.
Air Fryer Falafel Recipe (Gluten Free + Vegan)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 cups Chickpeas (use soaked and drained, not cooked)
- 12 Garlic Cloves
- 1 Onion medium size roughly chopped / diced
- 1 cup Cilantro finely chopped
- 2 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 2 teaspoon Cumin Seeds or use 1 tsp cumin powder
- 2 teaspoon Red Chilli flakes or use paprika, cayyene for heat
- 2 tablespoon Chickpea Flour for binding (read notes below)
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray for Air Frying
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor jar, add all the ingredients as above except chickpea flour and olive oil
- Do not add water and grind / pulse to form a coarse texture.
- Remove the contents onto a bowl and add the chickpea flour. Note - Add chickpea flour only if you feel that the falafels are not able to hold its shape. I had to use 2 tablespoons Chickpea flour and mix again to prevent them from breaking up.
- Shape each falafel. You can make a flat patty or make round balls. This needs to be refrigerated for atleast 30 minutes. Note - The patty shaped ones as easy to stuff in grilled sandwiches, wraps.
- After 30 minutes, pre-heat the Air Fryer for 5 minutes at 200 Degree Celsius.
- Spray oil in the air fryer basket and place the falafels. Do not crowd the basket. You can air fry in 2 batches.
- Air fry the falafels at 180 Degrees C for 15 to 20 minute or until golden brown. Open the air fryer basket in between to spray some oil so that it doesn't dry out. You can also turn the falafels for even browning.
Notes
- Please note that the texture of the deep fried falafel batter is more coarser as compared to the air fryer ones. Deep frying is flash cooking which means the centre also cooks easily. In case of Air frying we have to keep the texture in mind.
- If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the falafels as well - Preheat the oven for 10 minutes at 180 Degree Celsius. Bake the falafel for 20 minutes. Turn the tray and the falafels once during the baking time for even browning. Spray oil on the baking tray and the top of each falafel to prevent them from drying out.
- After shaping, refrigerate the falafels for atleast 30 minutes. Do not miss this step
- Storage - Falafels stay fresh in the refrigerator for 4 - 5 days in an airtight container. They can be reheated in a microwave or air fryer. We normally air fry only the quantity we can consume and the rest is frozen to use later. Thaw it completely and then spray oil before air frying the frozen batch.
Please subscribe to our website to receive all the delicious recipes in your mail box.
We will be back again with yet another exciting recipe .. Until then, stay healthy and happy!
Vidya Narayan
Leave a Reply