Air-Frying Falafel: A Healthy, Quick Cooking Option

You can make falafel in an air fryer, and it's a great way to get crispy falafel without deep frying. The key to getting the right texture is to use dry chickpeas that have been soaked overnight, rather than canned chickpeas, which can make your falafel soggy. You can use the same falafel mixture as you would for a traditional recipe, and then cook the falafel patties in the air fryer.

Soaking the chickpeas

Yes, you can cook falafel in an air fryer. To make the falafel mixture, start by soaking the chickpeas. It's best to use dried chickpeas, as canned chickpeas have a lot of moisture and can turn your falafel mushy. Soak 2 cups of dry chickpeas in a bowl with plenty of water and some baking soda to soften them. The chickpeas will swell considerably in the water, so be sure to cover them with a few inches of water. Leave them to soak for 24 hours, then drain well.

After soaking the chickpeas, you can move on to the next step of making the falafel mixture. This typically involves blending or processing the chickpeas with other ingredients such as herbs, spices, and flour. It's important to get the right texture for the mixture, so it's not too wet or too dry.

Once the falafel mixture is ready, you can start cooking the patties in the air fryer. This method of cooking gives you crispy falafel without the need for deep frying. The result is falafel that's crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

Using canned chickpeas

Yes, you can cook falafel in an air fryer. However, some sources recommend using dried chickpeas that have been soaked in water for 24 hours, rather than canned chickpeas, as the latter have a lot of moisture and can turn your falafel mushy.

If you are using canned chickpeas, make sure to rinse, drain and dry them on paper towels before adding them to the falafel mixture. You can also add flour to the mixture to help bind the falafel together.

To make the falafel mixture, start by placing onion and garlic in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Then, add chopped parsley, cilantro and spices, and pulse until combined. Next, add the canned chickpeas and pulse 2-3 times, being careful not to overprocess. Finally, add the flour and pulse a few more times until just combined.

You can also add baking powder to the mixture to improve the flavour and texture. Once the falafel mixture is ready, form it into patties and cook them in the air fryer until crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside.

Using dry chickpeas

Yes, you can cook falafel in an air fryer using dry chickpeas. In fact, dry chickpeas are recommended over canned chickpeas, which can turn mushy in an air fryer. To prepare your dry chickpeas, soak them in water for 18 to 24 hours. Make sure the chickpeas are covered by at least three inches of water, and add a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to help them soften. After soaking, drain the chickpeas and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Once your chickpeas are ready, form the falafel mixture into lightly packed patties. Place the patties in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not crowded or arranged too tightly. Cook the falafel in 5-minute increments until they are crispy and golden brown.

Mixing the falafel

Yes, you can cook falafel in an air fryer. To make the falafel mixture, start by soaking 2 cups of dry chickpeas in a bowl with plenty of water and some baking soda. Leave them to soak for 24 hours, then drain well. The chickpeas will swell considerably, so be sure to cover them with a few inches of water.

Next, place the soaked chickpeas in a food processor with onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, and spices. Pulse a few times until the ingredients are roughly chopped and combined. Be careful not to overprocess the mixture. You want the chickpeas to be roughly chopped, not pureed.

Finally, add flour to the mixture. Pulse 2-3 more times until just combined. Alternatively, you can empty the mixture into a bowl and gently fold in the flour with a rubber spatula.

Once the falafel mixture is ready, it's a good idea to let it sit in the fridge for about an hour. This will help develop the flavour and texture. You can also mix in a little baking powder at this stage for an even better texture.

Cooking the falafel

Yes, you can cook falafel in an air fryer. Here is a recipe for cooking falafel in an air fryer:

Firstly, soak 2 cups of dry chickpeas in a bowl with plenty of water and some baking soda to soften them. Soak for 24 hours and then drain well. The chickpeas will swell considerably in the water so be sure to cover them with a good few inches of water.

Next, place onion and garlic in a bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times until roughly chopped. Add chopped parsley, chopped cilantro and spices. Pulse until combined. Add the chickpeas (rinsed, drained and dried on paper towels) and pulse 2-3 times. Don't overprocess! The chickpeas should be roughly chopped, not pureed. Finally, add the flour and pulse 2-3 times more until just combined. If you prefer, you can empty the mixture into a bowl and fold in the flour with a rubber spatula.

Allow the mixture to sit in the fridge for about 1 hour and then mix it with some baking powder to give you the best flavour and texture.

Finally, cook the falafel patties in the air fryer.

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