Air fryer falafel
Falafel is a Middle Eastern favourite loved worldwide for its crispy exterior and soft, tender middle. With this air fryer version, you can skip the deep fryer but still enjoy the same golden crunch and bold flavour. Made with chickpeas, fresh parsley, and warm spices like cumin and coriander, these little bites capture the essence of Middle Eastern street food. Serve the air fryer falafel hot in pita with tahini, add them to a mezze platter, or enjoy them as a quick snack.
Ingredients
|
1 can
Chickpeas in brine (about 400 g)
|
|
|---|---|
|
5 sprigs
Flat-leaf parsley
|
|
|
1
Garlic clove, crushed
|
|
|
1
Small onion, roughly chopped
|
|
|
1½ tbsp
Flour
|
|
|
¾ tsp
Coarse salt
|
|
|
½ tsp
Baking powder
|
|
|
1½ tsp
Ground coriander
|
|
|
1 tsp
Ground cumin
|
|
|
¼ tsp
Ground cayenne pepper
|
|
|
1 tsp
Lemon zest (unwaxed), finely grated
|
Instructions
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
After blending, cover the falafel mixture and chill it in the fridge for 30–60 minutes before shaping. Not only does this allow the flavours to meld together, it also firms up the texture, which makes it much easier to shape the falafel without falling apart during cooking.
Apart from using an air fryer, you can also pan-fry or oven-bake falafel. Pan-frying: Heat about 2 cm of neutral oil in a sauté pan to 180°C. Cook the shaped falafel balls for about 10 minutes, turning them occasionally until they are crispy and golden brown. This makes them classic, crunchy outside with a moist inside. Deep-frying: Heat enough neutral oil to fully submerge the falafels, usually to about 175 °C. Fry the falafels in batches for 1–2 minutes until they are golden and crispy on the outside and tender inside. Oven-bake: Preheat your oven to 200 °C, place the falafel on a lined baking tray, and lightly spray them with oil. Bake for 15–20 minutes, turning them halfway through. This results in a lighter texture and uses less fat.
FAQ: Questions about air fryer falafel
Making falafel in the air fryer can raise a few questions, whether it is about crispiness, texture, or storage. We have answered the most common ones in one place. Think of it as your little falafel cheat sheet before you get started.
Can I prepare the falafel mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the falafel mixture ahead of time. This can actually improve the texture and binding of the falafel, as chilling the mixture makes it easier to hold together when cooking. Simply blend drained chickpeas, parsley, garlic, onion, flour, salt, baking powder, spices, and lemon zest into a coarse mixture. Then transfer it to a bowl, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before you shape it into balls and air fry. Make sure there is no excess liquid in the bowl; blot it away if needed before shaping the falafel.
How do I get my air fryer falafel crispy?
To get crispy air fryer falafel, you need a coarse chickpea mixture that has been finely chopped but not puréed. Shape the mixture into even balls and chill them if possible to help them hold together. Lightly coat them with oil, preheat the air fryer to 200 °C, and cook in a single layer for about 15 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through. Serve right away to enjoy their crispiness, as they might soften as they cool.
Why did my falafel fall apart when cooking in the air fryer?
Your falafel likely fell apart during cooking because there was too much moisture, not enough binding, or it was handled too much. Canned chickpeas, which are wetter than dried and soaked chickpeas, can make it hard for the falafel to stick together. If there is not enough flour to act as a binder, the mixture will not hold. Overprocessing can make the mixture too mushy and lacking structure. When processing the chickpeas, use the pulse function to keep the mixture coarse, and add a bit of flour if the mixture is too wet. Also, chilling it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking can help the falafel bind better.
Can I freeze air fryer falafel?
Yes, you can freeze air fryer falafel. After cooking, let the falafels cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer before transferring them to a container or freezer bag. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer until hot and crisp. Avoid freezing the uncooked mixture, as chickpeas hold too much water and turn mushy when thawed.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
384 Kcal
| Fibre | - | 19.1 gram fibers |
| Protein | 22.4 | 21.2 gram |
| Fat | 16.8 | 7.3 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 60.8 | 57.4 gram |
Recommended information
Serving suggestion
Make ultra crispy air fryer falafel
Falafel is a Middle Eastern staple that has travelled the world and found a home in countless kitchens. It is crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and full of flavour from aromatic spices and fresh herbs. So, plenty of reason to love this chickpea staple.
Normally, they are deep-fried, which makes them extra crispy and sometimes messy to pull off at home. That is where the air fryer comes in. It gives you the same golden crunch and perfectly tender inside without all the oil. Hot air does the hard work, so you can skip the deep fryer and still end up with crispy air fryer falafels, which are every bit as irresistible.
Delicious and aromatic with warm spices and fresh herbs
What really makes falafel shine is the mix of spices and herbs. These are essential and turn simple chickpeas into delicious falafel. Cumin adds an earthy, slightly smoky depth, while coriander brings a light, citrusy note. A pinch of cayenne gives just enough heat, and lemon zest brightens everything up. Fresh parsley is another must; it adds a fresh counterpoint to all the spices. That is what makes them so hard to resist.
How to serve your air fryer falafels
Once you have pulled your falafel from the air fryer, you get to decide how to serve them. The classic way to enjoy them is to tuck the crispy balls into warm pitta bread, add a generous spread of hummus, a drizzle of tahini dressing, and top with crunchy cucumbers and fresh tomatoes.
If you are planning a mezze platter, falafel shines alongside colourful dishes like tabbouleh, baba ganoush, pickled vegetables, and flatbreads. They are also great tossed onto a big green salad, or served as little bites with dips when friends come over. No matter how you plate them up, air fryer falafel always delights with crunch and flavour.
And for more recipes with your favourite new kitchen tool, try our air fryer spring rolls, air-fried lamb, and air-fried smashed potatoes.
Experiment with different add-ins
With the air-fried falafel recipe, you can always tweak it to your liking. Fresh mint and coriander are often used in traditional versions, with mint adding coolness and coriander bringing a citrusy kick. You can also mix in other fresh herbs like dill, basil, or even oregano for a more balanced fresh flavour.
If you are more daring, try folding in grated carrot, courgette, or beetroot to bring subtle sweetness and moisture. Toasted seeds or nuts, like sesame or sunflower, add crunch and nuttiness. Spices are another way to play around. Turmeric brings warmth and a golden colour, while sumac adds a tangy, lemony note that brightens up the whole mix. If you like heat, a bit of fresh chilli or extra cayenne will do the trick.
