Air-Fryer Falafel: Is It Possible?

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food, usually made by deep-frying chickpeas and/or fava beans, along with garlic, onion, and herbs and spices. However, you can also make falafel in an air fryer—a healthier, easier, and less messy alternative to deep-frying. This method yields falafel with a tender centre and a crispy outer shell, without the copious amounts of oil required for deep-frying.

How to shape falafel for the air fryer

Shaping falafel for the air fryer is slightly different from shaping them for deep frying. While falafel is traditionally shaped into balls, it is recommended to form them into slightly flatter disks or patties for the air fryer. This is because they will lay flat in the air fryer basket and won't roll around, allowing them to cook more evenly. It is also easier to stuff them into a pita if they are flat.

When shaping the falafel mixture, use an ice-cream scooper to measure the mixture, then form it into a ball or patty/disk. You can also use a falafel scoop or spoon, or your hands, to portion the batter. If using a spoon, shape the batter into a ball or flatten it into a disk. The mixture may stick to the scooper, so you can spray it with a little olive oil or cooking spray.

Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket when arranging the patties. They need room to turn airy and crispy as they cook, so leave some space between each patty. Work in batches if necessary.

How to make the falafel mixture

Ingredients:

• Dried chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)
• Fresh herbs: dill, parsley, and cilantro (remove the stems)
• Onion: yellow, white, or red
• Garlic
• Spices: cumin, corriander, and cayenne pepper (optional)
• Baking powder
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Method:

• Soak the chickpeas in water for 18-24 hours. To help them soften, add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water. The chickpeas will swell considerably, so be sure to cover them with a few inches of water.
• Drain the chickpeas and add them to a food processor along with the fresh herbs, onion, garlic, and spices.
• Pulse until the mixture is well combined but not too mushy. It should have the texture of a coarse meal.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for about an hour or overnight. Chilling the mixture will help it hold together when cooked.
• Once chilled, stir in the baking powder and sesame seeds (if using).

How to cook the falafel in the air fryer

How to Cook Falafel in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

To make falafel in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Dried chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)
• Fresh herbs (dill, parsley, and cilantro)
• Onion (yellow, white, or red)
• Garlic
• Spices (cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper—optional)
• Baking powder
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Olive oil
• Salt

Method

• Soak the chickpeas in water for 18 to 24 hours. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the water to help soften them. Drain and pat them dry when they have finished soaking.
• In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, fresh herbs, onion, garlic, and spices. Pulse until the mixture forms a coarse meal.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for about an hour or overnight.
• Stir in the baking powder and sesame seeds (if using) before forming the mixture into small balls or patties. If the mixture is too sticky, add some flour to your hands and work surface.
• Lightly brush or spray the falafel with olive oil.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.
• Place the falafel in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Cook the falafel for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They are ready when they are crispy and golden brown.

Tips

• Falafel is traditionally served in a pita with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and tahini, but it can also be eaten as an appetizer or as part of a salad.
• For air frying, shaping the falafel into discs or patties works better than balls as they cook more evenly and don't roll around in the air fryer basket.
• If you want to freeze your falafel, let them cool to room temperature, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can be stored for up to 3 months.

How to store and reheat falafel

Falafel can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. However, they will lose their crispness as they chill. To reheat refrigerated falafel, place them in the oven or air fryer at 350°F/190°C until warmed through.

Falafel can also be frozen for longer storage. To freeze, allow the cooked falafel to cool to room temperature, then arrange them on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the falafel to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. Frozen falafel can be stored for up to 3 months but should ideally be eaten within a month.

To reheat frozen falafel, place them on a baking sheet and heat in a 350°F/190°C oven for about 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the reheating time. They can also be reheated in an air fryer at 350°F/175°C for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

What to serve with falafel

Falafel is a tasty, budget-friendly Middle Eastern dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas for what to serve with falafel:

• Hummus and Tahini – A classic falafel pairing that is traditional across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Egypt and Israel. Most traditional eateries serve hummus and falafel with a tahini sauce. This is often known as a "falafel plate" or "mezze".
• Pitta Bread – Falafel can be served in a warm pita sandwich or wrap. Homemade pittas are surprisingly easy to make and you can freeze them for later too.
• Salad – Falafel can be served on top of a salad, or with a salad on the side. A Mediterranean cucumber salad with tomato and parsley is a fresh option that pairs well with falafel.
• Dips and Sauces – In the Middle East, falafel sandwiches are often packed with sauces and vegetables. Try a drizzle of tahini sauce, or a dollop of tzatziki, yoghurt with cucumber, or Toum – a creamy garlic dipping sauce that is popular in Lebanon.
• Rice or Couscous – Falafel can be served over a bed of couscous or basmati rice, with tomatoes and cucumbers. For extra flavour, add a spoonful of harissa to your couscous.
• Vegetables – Falafel can be served with roasted eggplant slices, pickled turnip, or eggplant with garlic sauce. It also goes well with crunchy fried pita chips.
• Drinks – Teas, sodas and coffee are usually enjoyed after a falafel meal.

Frequently asked questions