Air Fryer Falafel Recipe (Gluten Free + Vegan)
Air fryer Falafel recipe is a healthier version of a popular Middle Eastern Snack made with soaked 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. Serve as appetizer, hors d'oeuvre and even part of a mezze platter with hummus and pita bread
Servings 18 falafels
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.