Air Fryer Falafel

Plate full of air fried falafels with a small dish of tahini sauce and garnished with fresh herbs.

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5 from 46 votes

Enjoy crispy, golden-brown Air Fryer Falafel and skip the hassle of deep frying. It’s healthier and easier than ever.

Course Entree

Cuisine Lebanese

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Soaking and resting time 13

Total Time 13 30

Servings servings

Calories 131kcal

Author Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound dry chickpeas uncooked
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup fresh cilantro
½ cup fresh parsley
1 large onion roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons coriander
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
Olive oil cooking spray
Tahini sauce for serving
Lettuce for serving
Tomato slices for serving

Instructions

Cover the chickpeas with water in a large bowl. Set aside at room temperature to soak for at least 12 and up to 24 hours. They will end up doubling in size.
Drain the chickpeas. Rinse and dry them as thoroughly as possible.
Place the chickpeas and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to create fine crumbles. Add the cilantro, parsley, onion, garlic, salt, cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper and black pepper. Blend until the mixture turns into a thick green paste, scraping down the sides as needed. Remove the blade from the bowl, then cover the bowl of the food processor and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the batter set.
Remove the falafel batter from the fridge. Sprinkle the baking powder over the top, then gently fold it throughout.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Using a medium spring-loaded cookie scoop (or your hands), scoop, firmly pack, and roll about 1 ½ tablespoons of batter into a round ball and add it to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Heat the air fryer to 400ºF. Arrange about 12 falafel balls in the air fryer basket, spray the falafel balls with cooking spray, and cook for 10 minutes, until golden brown and puffed. Repeat with the remaining falafel balls to make about 36.
Transfer the falafel to a serving platter and serve tahini sauce for dipping.

Notes

To store your air fryer falafels, let them cool to room temperature and then transfer them to an airtight container.

To reheat the falafels, you can pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes until they are heated through and crispy again, or you can heat them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

You can freeze both cooked and uncooked falafels. Let them cool, then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. For uncooked falafels, shape them into patties or balls. Store in a freezer-safe container for 2 months. Follow the recipe to reheat, adding a few extra minutes.

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