Air-Fried Falafel: A Healthy, Crunchy Delight!

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern street food that has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Typically, falafel is made by deep-frying balls or discs of spiced chickpeas and/or fava beans. However, this method can be messy and use a lot of oil. So, can you make falafel in an air fryer?

The good news is that it is possible to make falafel in an air fryer! While the results may not be quite as crispy as traditional deep-fried falafel, using an air fryer is a healthier option that still produces delicious, crispy falafel with a tender centre. You can also bake falafel in the oven, but this method tends to yield even less crispy results.

To make falafel in an air fryer, start by soaking dried chickpeas overnight. Then, blend the chickpeas with fresh herbs, onion, garlic, and spices. Form the mixture into discs and place them in the air fryer, making sure they have enough space around them. Lightly brush or spray the falafel with oil and cook at around 400°F/190°C for 10–15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.

There are many ways to enjoy your air-fried falafel. Why not try them as an appetizer with a tahini dipping sauce, stuff them into a pita sandwich, or toss them into a salad?

How to make falafel in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Dried chickpeas (not canned or cooked)
• Fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, dill)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Spices (cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• (Optional) Flour, baking powder, sesame seeds, crushed red pepper

Method:

• Soak the chickpeas in water for 18-24 hours. Drain and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Add the chickpeas, herbs, onion, garlic, and spices to a food processor. Pulse until well blended but not completely smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and chill in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight.
• (Optional) Before cooking, add in some flour and/or baking powder to the mixture. This will help the falafel hold together and give it a fluffier texture.
• Use an ice cream scoop or spoon to portion the mixture into balls or flattened discs.
• Lightly brush or spray the falafel with olive oil.
• Place the falafel in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
• Cook at 375-400°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The falafel is ready when it is crispy and golden brown.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• If you prefer a crispier texture, brush the falafel with more olive oil before cooking.
• Falafel can be served as an appetizer with a dipping sauce, in a pita sandwich with veggies, on a salad, or as part of a mezze platter.
• Leftover falafel can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for longer storage. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through and crispy.

How to shape falafel for the air fryer

Shaping falafel for the air fryer is an important step to ensure they cook evenly and turn out crispy. Here is a detailed guide on how to shape falafel for the air fryer:

After processing the falafel mixture, it is time to shape them into small units. For air frying, shaping them into discs or patties works better than balls. The flat shape allows the falafel to lay flat in the air fryer basket, preventing them from rolling around as they cook. This also helps them cook more evenly.

When forming the patties, it is important not to flatten them too much, as this can make them dense. Instead, go for a slightly flattened disc or patty shape. The ideal thickness is about 1/2 inch. You can use a cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop to measure out the mixture, and then use your hands to shape it. If the mixture is sticking to your hands, try wetting your hands before shaping the falafel.

For the best results, be sure to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between the falafel patties so that they can cook evenly and get crispy. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

How to make a tahini sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup tahini (Joyva is a good brand)
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 lemon, juice only
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup hot water
• 4 medium-to-large cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Pinch of ground cumin
• 6 tablespoons ice water, more as needed

Method:

• In a medium bowl, combine the garlic and lemon juice. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the lemon juice with flavour.
• Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl. Press the garlic solids with a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the garlic.
• Add the tahini, salt, and cumin to the bowl. Whisk until the mixture is thoroughly blended.
• Add water, 2 tablespoons at a time, whisking after each addition until smooth. The mixture will seize up at first but will loosen with the addition of water.
• Adjust to taste. Add more water to thin the sauce, more salt for more overall flavour, and/or more lemon juice for added tang.

Notes:

• This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• The sauce will thicken over time, so whisk in additional cold water as necessary to thin it out.
• For a herbed tahini sauce, whisk in 1/4 cup (or more) of chopped fresh, leafy herbs such as parsley, basil, dill, or cilantro.

Freezing and reheating falafel

Freezing falafel is a great way to make sure you always have some on hand for a quick and easy meal. To freeze falafel, first, allow the cooked falafel to cool to room temperature. Then, arrange them on a cookie sheet and place the sheet in the freezer. Once the falafel are frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months, although some people prefer to eat them within a month for optimal freshness.

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen falafel, there are a few ways to reheat them. One option is to place them on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You can also reheat falafel in an air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, or until they're heated through. If you're reheating frozen falafel, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

It's important to note that reheated falafel may not be as crispy as freshly cooked falafel. If you want to add some extra crispness, you can lightly spray or brush them with oil before reheating. Additionally, make sure not to overcrowd your air fryer or baking sheet, as this can affect how evenly the falafel cook.

How to make falafel without an air fryer

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern street food that has become popular worldwide, especially among vegetarians and those looking for meat-free options. While an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep frying, you can also bake falafel in the oven or pan-fry them. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to make falafel without an air fryer.

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Dried chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)
• Fresh herbs: dill, parsley, and cilantro with stems removed
• Onion: yellow, white, or red onion
• Garlic: several peeled cloves
• Spices: cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper (optional)
• Baking powder
• Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
• Olive oil

Preparation

Soak the dried chickpeas in water for 18 to 24 hours. To help soften them, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water. Make sure the chickpeas are always covered by at least 2-3 inches of water as they will swell considerably.

After soaking, drain the chickpeas and use a paper towel to pat them dry if they are too wet.

Making the Falafel Mixture

Add the soaked and drained chickpeas, fresh herbs, onion, garlic, and spices to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is well blended and has a texture similar to coarse cornmeal. Do not overprocess—it should be slightly chunky.

Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. Chilling the mixture will make it easier to shape and help the falafel hold together during cooking.

Shaping the Falafel

Before shaping the falafel, stir 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds (if using) into the chilled mixture.

Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, take a golf ball-sized amount of the mixture and form it into a ball. Then, flatten it slightly to make a disc or patty shape. Do not flatten them too much, as this will make them dense.

Cooking the Falafel

If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the falafel in the oven or pan-fry them.

Baking in the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Brush the falafel patties with olive oil on both sides and arrange them on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through. They should be golden brown on the outside and slightly green on the inside.

Pan-Frying

Pan-frying is best done in a cast-iron skillet with about 1 inch of oil. Shape the falafel into discs rather than balls for pan-frying. Fry the falafel over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serving Suggestions

Falafel is delicious served in a pita sandwich with tahini sauce, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. You can also serve it as an appetizer with a side of tahini sauce for dipping, or as part of a mezze platter with dips like baba ghanoush or hummus.

Enjoy your homemade falafel!

Frequently asked questions