I make these air fryer falafels when I want something crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, but without all the oil. They’re packed with flavor from chickpeas, garlic, cumin, and fresh herbs, and using the air fryer makes them much lighter than the deep-fried version. I love serving them with pita, a simple salad, or even just dipping them in some creamy hummus!
Health Benefits:
These air fryer falafels are not only delicious, but they’re also a great source of protein and fiber thanks to the chickpeas. The fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro give them an extra boost of vitamins, and since they’re cooked in the air fryer, they’re much lower in fat compared to traditional fried falafel. Perfect if you’re looking for a healthy, satisfying meal that still tastes amazing!
What You Need to Make It:
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for spraying or drizzling)
How to Make It:
- I start by adding the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper to a food processor. I pulse it until everything is chopped up, but I keep it a bit chunky.
- I mix in the baking powder and flour, then pulse a couple more times to combine everything.
- I roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 1/2 inches each.
- I preheat my air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and spray the basket with a little olive oil.
- I place the falafel balls in the basket, making sure they’re not touching, and lightly spray the top with more olive oil.
- I cook the falafel for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The falafels should be golden brown and crispy when they’re done!
- I serve them with pita bread, a fresh salad, or a side of hummus.
More Sides & Snacks:
- Homemade Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
- Sticky Chicken Meatballs
- Refreshing Blueberry Mojito
- Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Serving and Storage Tips:
- These falafels are perfect for meal prep! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They also freeze well! Just freeze them on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a bag or container for up to a month. To reheat, just pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes.
- They’re great on their own or as part of a larger meal – try them in wraps or serve them with a yogurt sauce!
Tips:
- If you don’t have a food processor, you can mash the chickpeas by hand with a fork or potato masher and finely chop the onions and herbs.
- Want extra crispiness? Give the falafels another quick spritz of oil halfway through cooking!
- Feel free to customize the herbs or add a bit of chili powder or cayenne pepper for some heat!
Air Fryer Falafel
I make these air fryer falafels when I want a healthier, crispy, and delicious version of the classic Middle Eastern dish. They’re full of flavor from chickpeas, herbs, and spices, and the air fryer makes them perfectly crunchy without the extra oil.
Ingredients
- 1 can 15 oz chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup flour or chickpea flour for gluten-free
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for spraying or drizzling
Instructions
- First, I add the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper to a food processor. I pulse until everything is finely chopped but not pureed – I want the mixture to have some texture.
- I sprinkle in the baking powder and flour, then pulse a few more times to combine.
- I take the mixture out of the food processor and form it into small balls, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
- I preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
- I arrange the falafel balls in the basket, making sure they’re not touching each other, and spray them lightly with more olive oil.
- I cook the falafels for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they’re golden and crispy on the outside.
- Once done, I serve them with pita bread, salad, or hummus for dipping!
