Name: Air Fryer Falafel Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: PT-487623H26M7S
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight); 1/2 small red onion, chopped; 3 garlic cloves; 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or chickpea flour; olive oil spray

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

The Air Fryer Falafel Recipe effortlessly brings the irresistible flavors of the Middle East straight to your kitchen, offering you golden, crispy falafel packed with herbs and spices—all without deep frying! This dish is one of my all-time favorites, perfect for those looking for a wholesome, plant-based meal that never skimps on taste or texture. Whether you’re meal-prepping, feeding a crowd, or indulging in a quick lunch, these morsels epitomize why classic recipes deserve a modern twist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of humble pantry staples and a few vibrant, fresh ingredients, you’ll be amazed at the magic you can create! Each component in this Air Fryer Falafel Recipe plays a starring role—some for texture, some for bold flavor, and others for that essential green fleck and aroma that makes every bite sing.

Dried chickpeas (1 cup, soaked overnight): Absolutely crucial for the perfect falafel texture; canned chickpeas just won’t give you the structure or nutty flavor you crave.
Red onion (1/2 small, chopped): Adds a touch of sweetness and tempers the earthiness of the beans.
Garlic cloves (3): Gives a sharp, irresistible kick with every crunchy bite.
Fresh parsley (1 cup, chopped): Brings bright color and grassy freshness—the flavor is unmistakable when combined with chickpeas!
Fresh cilantro (1/2 cup, chopped): Adds a citrusy, herbal dimension you don’t want to skip.
Ground cumin (1 teaspoon): Lends a deep, toasty warmth that’s falafel’s signature flavor.
Ground coriander (1 teaspoon): Gives a subtle lemony note, beautifully balancing the spices.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): A secret weapon for light, airy falafel—never dense or heavy.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Rounds out all the flavors and keeps you reaching for more.
Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): A subtle hint of heat to lift the savory notes.
All-purpose flour or chickpea flour (2 tablespoons): Helps everything stick together—chickpea flour makes it gluten-free!
Olive oil spray: Just a spritz is all you need to guarantee that satisfying crunch.

How to Make Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

Step 1: Soak and Prep the Chickpeas

Begin your Air Fryer Falafel Recipe adventure by soaking your dried chickpeas overnight in plenty of cold water. This is non-negotiable—soaked, raw chickpeas are the key to a falafel that’s crispy outside and tender inside. In the morning, drain and rinse them thoroughly to wash away any starch and get ready for blending!

Step 2: Blend the Falafel Mixture

Add the soaked chickpeas, chopped red onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, baking soda, salt, pepper, and flour to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse in short bursts until the mixture is a coarse crumb—well-blended but still with plenty of texture. It should stick together when pressed between your fingers, but avoid over-processing or you’ll end up with a paste instead of classic falafel texture.

Step 3: Chill the Mixture

Transfer your vibrant green mixture into a bowl, cover, and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This quick chill time helps the falafel hold together beautifully while it cooks, making the shaping process a breeze and ensuring that signature tender bite.

Step 4: Shape the Falafel

Scoop up heaping tablespoons of the chilled mixture and roll them gently into balls or flatten slightly into patties, whichever you prefer. This is where you can let your personality shine with different shapes—just try to keep them all roughly the same size so they cook evenly in your air fryer.

Step 5: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the falafel in a single layer in the basket, making sure they aren’t touching for maximum crunch. Give each one a light spray of olive oil, then air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through until all sides are golden and crispy. The aroma wafting from the air fryer at this point is pure magic!

How to Serve Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

Garnishes

Finish your Air Fryer Falafel Recipe with generous spoonfuls of creamy tahini sauce, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, or a shake of sumac for a tart zing. A squeeze of lemon over the top just before serving brightens everything up and lets those herbs shine.

Side Dishes

Serve your falafel with warm, pillowy pita, a vibrant Israeli salad, or a colorful platter of pickled vegetables. Hummus, baba ganoush, or a crisp cucumber-yogurt dip make for perfect dipping partners that round out the meal beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to elevate your Air Fryer Falafel Recipe for company or just have some fun, try threading mini falafel onto skewers with roasted veggies, loading them up in pitas for lunchtime wraps, or scattering them over a bowl of fluffy herbed quinoa and crisp greens for a satisfying, filling salad bowl.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover falafel keeps fabulously! Store any extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, ensuring they stay moist and flavorful for lunchboxes or future quick meals.

Freezing

This Air Fryer Falafel Recipe is perfect for meal prep—shape the falafel mixture into balls or patties, place them on a lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to three months, ready for air frying straight from frozen whenever the craving strikes.

Reheating

For the crunchiest leftovers, reheat your falafel in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes. You can also use the oven, but avoid the microwave as it can make them a bit soft and chewy. Either way, you’ll get back a crunchy, warm bite every time.

FAQs

Can I use canned chickpeas instead of dried?

For the Air Fryer Falafel Recipe, it’s important to stick with dried chickpeas soaked overnight. Canned chickpeas can result in falafel that’s mushy or falls apart; the texture just isn’t the same!

How do I keep my falafel from falling apart while cooking?

Chilling the mixture and not over-blending are essential steps. If you notice the mixture is too loose, add a touch more flour (or chickpea flour) to bind everything together before shaping.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply use chickpea flour instead of all-purpose flour to keep this Air Fryer Falafel Recipe entirely gluten-free, with no sacrifice in texture or taste.

Can I bake these falafel if I don’t have an air fryer?

Absolutely. Arrange shaped falafel on a parchment-lined baking tray, spray lightly with olive oil, and bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden.

What’s the best way to serve falafel for a party or gathering?

Pile the crispy falafel high on a platter, offer assorted dips (like tahini, hummus, or spicy harissa), and supply plenty of fresh veggies and pillowy pita so guests can build their own delicious bites.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been searching for a foolproof, healthier way to enjoy authentic falafel at home, this Air Fryer Falafel Recipe is truly a game-changer. The golden crunch, the lively fresh herbs, and the cozy aroma—it’s all here, and easier than you think. Give it a try and let your kitchen be filled with the magic of homemade falafel!

Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes active (plus soaking)
Yield: 18 falafel 1x
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free

Print Recipe

Description

Learn how to make crispy and flavorful falafel using an air fryer with this easy recipe. These vegan and gluten-free falafel are perfect as a main course or appetizer, paired with tahini sauce, pita, or salad.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Falafel Ingredients:

1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
1/2 small red onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or chickpea flour

Additional:

olive oil spray

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the Falafel Mixture: Drain and rinse soaked chickpeas. Blend chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, baking soda, salt, pepper, and flour until coarse.
Chill the Mixture: Transfer mixture to a bowl, cover, and chill for 30 minutes.
Air Fry the Falafel: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Shape mixture into balls or patties, spray with olive oil, and air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Serve: Enjoy warm with tahini sauce, pita, or salad.