Air-Frying Falafel: A Healthy Crunch?

Falafel is a Middle Eastern street food made from ground chickpeas (garbanzo beans), minced garlic, and fresh parsley. It can be eaten plain, with hummus and vegetables, or tucked into a pita and topped with condiments like hot sauce or a yogurt sauce similar to tzatziki.

Falafel is traditionally deep-fried, but it can also be pan-fried, baked, or air-fried. Air-fried falafel is just as good as deep-fried falafel but without the use of any oil. It is packed with herbaceous flavour, crispy and crunchy on the outside, but slightly less moist on the inside.

To make air-fried falafel, start with dry garbanzo beans which have been soaked overnight and then ground in a food processor with an onion, minced garlic, salt, cumin, coriander, parsley, and a tiny pinch of cardamom. Form the mixture into small discs and cook in an air fryer.

Soaking chickpeas

Soaking the chickpeas is an essential step in making falafel. The chickpeas should be soaked in cool water for 24 hours. The chickpeas will double or triple in volume, so be sure to use a large enough bowl and enough water to cover them. After 24 hours, the chickpeas should be tender enough to break apart with your fingers but still have a bite to them. It is important to note that the chickpeas should be completely raw before forming them into falafel balls, so the quick-soak method of boiling the chickpeas is not recommended for this recipe.

Once the chickpeas have finished soaking, they should be rinsed and drained well. Some recipes also suggest removing the skins from the chickpeas by rubbing them with your fingers. After rinsing and draining, the chickpeas can be spread on a large clean dish towel to dry. At this point, the chickpeas are ready to be used in your falafel recipe!

Air fryer temperature

Air fryer falafel is a healthier alternative to deep-fried falafel. The air fryer temperature varies depending on the recipe, but it typically ranges from 370 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

The ideal temperature for cooking falafel in an air fryer is between 370 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, one recipe recommends preheating the air fryer to 370°F/187°C before arranging falafel balls in a single layer and air-frying them for 13 to 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.

Another recipe suggests a slightly higher temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit, while a third recipe recommends cooking the falafel at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes.

It is worth noting that air fryer temperatures can vary, so you may need to experiment to find the ideal temperature and cooking time for your particular air fryer model.

Tips for Making Air-Fried Falafel

• Soak dried chickpeas for 24 hours before using them. Canned or cooked chickpeas will not work as they contain too much moisture, resulting in mushy falafel.
• Use a food processor to blend the falafel ingredients into a coarse meal. The mixture should hold together when pressed between your fingers but should not be puréed.
• Chill the falafel mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to help it bind and make it easier to shape into balls or patties.
• Form the falafel mixture into small balls or slightly flattened disks/patties. The flatter shape works better in an air fryer as it allows the falafel to cook more evenly and prevents them from rolling around in the air fryer basket.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the falafel in a single layer with enough space between them to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Lightly brush the falafel with olive oil or cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer for added crispness and browning.
• Cook the falafel in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• Cook the falafel for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size and desired level of doneness, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.

Serving Suggestions

Falafel can be served in various ways, including:

• As an appetizer with a side of tahini sauce, hummus, tzatziki, or other dips.
• In a pita sandwich or wrap with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and other vegetables.
• As part of a mezze platter with dips like hummus or baba ghanoush, small nibbles like tomatoes with feta, and roasted eggplant.
• In a salad bowl with greens, vegetables, and a dressing of your choice.
• As larger patties or "burgers" served with toppings and condiments.
• Crumbled as a pizza topping, along with grilled vegetables like eggplant and zucchini.

Storing and Reheating Falafel

Falafel can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, place the falafel in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through, flipping them halfway through the reheating time.

Customization and Variations

Falafel can be customized to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs:

• Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as cilantro, cumin, coriander, parsley, dill, turmeric, cardamom, cayenne, or paprika.
• For a gluten-free option, use chickpea flour or cornstarch instead of regular flour as a binder.
• Add a little baking powder to the falafel mixture for lighter and airier falafel.
• Shape the falafel into balls or disks/patties, depending on your preference and the cooking method. Disks/patties work better for air frying, while balls are suitable for deep frying.
• Oven-bake the falafel at 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, for a healthier alternative to deep frying.

Air fryer falafel is a delicious and healthier alternative to deep-fried falafel. By following the tips and instructions provided, you can achieve crispy, golden brown falafel with a tender center. Enjoy them as a snack, appetizer, or part of a meal, and customize them to suit your taste preferences!

Air fryer cooking time

Air fryer falafel is a quick and easy way to make this Middle Eastern street food. The cooking time depends on the model of your air fryer and the texture you are after. A lower temperature will produce lighter falafel with a more pale and smoother outer crust. A higher temperature will yield falafel with a darker, more rough-textured outer crust. The air fryer temperature affects the outer layer more than the inside of the falafel. It's the time that you leave the falafel in the air fryer that is the major factor. The shorter the time, the more moisture the falafel will retain.

• 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10 to 12 minutes
• 377 degrees F (191.7 degrees C) for 12 minutes
• 370 degrees F (187 degrees C) for 13 to 15 minutes
• 380 degrees F (193 degrees C) for 15 minutes

Falafel texture

The texture of falafel is often described as crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. However, the texture of falafel can vary depending on the method of cooking.

Falafel is typically deep-fried, which yields a crispy and crunchy exterior and a tender and fluffy interior. However, falafel can also be pan-fried, baked, or air-fried. Pan-fried falafel is not as crispy and crunchy on the outside as deep-fried or baked falafel, but it is quite moist and fluffy on the inside. Baked falafel is crispy and crunchy on the outside, but not as moist and fluffy on the inside as deep-fried or pan-fried falafel. Air-fried falafel is similar in texture to deep-fried falafel but is slightly less moist on the inside.

The texture of falafel can also be affected by the ingredients used. For example, the use of dried chickpeas instead of canned chickpeas results in a lighter and crispier falafel. Additionally, the use of baking powder in the falafel mixture can make the falafel more tender, airy, and light. The size of the falafel balls also affects the texture, with smaller balls resulting in a better ratio of crisp exterior to moist interior.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve falafel, including:

• As an appetizer with a side of tahini sauce, vegan tzatziki, hummus, or vegan mayo for dipping.
• In a falafel pita pocket or wrap with fresh veggies, pickles, and a sauce such as tzatziki, hummus, or tahini. Try it with spiced hummus as a spread.
• As a falafel sandwich in a flatbread wrap with traditional salad vegetables and extras like coleslaw.
• In lettuce wraps.
• As part of a Mediterranean mezze or platter, with hummus, olives, pita chips, and more.
• Form larger patties and use as burgers.
• Crumbled as a pizza topping, alongside grilled veggies like eggplant and zucchini.
• On top of a salad or rice bowl.
• As a side dish, served alongside roasted veggies, quinoa, or rice.

Frequently asked questions