Air Fryer Falafel: Cooking Time Perfection

Falafel is a delicious, crispy treat that can be made in an air fryer. But how long does it take to cook? Well, it depends on the temperature of your air fryer. If you're cooking at 350°F, you'll want to air fry for 8 minutes on one side, then flip and fry for another 6 minutes. If you're cooking at 375°F, set the timer for 15 minutes, flipping after 10 minutes. For 400°F, cook in 5-minute increments, checking after each increment to see if the falafel has crisped and gained colour.

How to get the best texture

To get the best texture, arrange the falafel patties so they are not touching in the air fryer basket. This will ensure they crisp up well. Lightly brush or spray the falafel with olive oil before cooking. Set your air fryer to 350-400°F and cook in 5-minute increments, checking regularly, until the falafel is crispy and golden brown on both sides.

How to shape falafel

Falafel is a traditional Arabic food, usually made into fried vegetarian patties or balls. To make falafel in an air fryer, you should first shape the falafel mixture into balls or patties. You can do this by hand, with a spoon, a small cookie scoop, or a falafel scoop. If you are making balls, gently squeeze and shape the mixture into a ball and place it onto a clean plate. Repeat this process with as many falafel as you plan to cook. If you are making patties, you can shape the mixture with your hands to form a patty or disk.

Once you have shaped your falafel, you can cook them in an air fryer. Heat the air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. Spray the basket with nonstick olive oil, and then add the falafel, being careful not to crowd the basket. Cook the falafel in 5-minute increments, checking after each increment to see if they have crisped and turned golden brown. Flip the falafel over and repeat until they are crispy and slightly brown on the outside.

How to cook falafel in batches

Cooking falafel in batches is a great way to ensure they cook evenly and get that crispy texture. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cook falafel in batches using an air fryer:

First, prepare your falafel mixture and shape it into balls or patties. You can use an ice cream scooper to help with portioning and shaping. Then, lightly spray the falafel with cooking spray or olive oil. This will help them crisp up and gain that golden colour.

Next, prepare your air fryer by spraying the basket with oil to prevent sticking. Set your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. The exact temperature may depend on your air fryer model and personal preference for crispiness.

Now you're ready to cook your falafel in batches. Place the falafel in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not touching and have some room to crisp up. Start with a 5-minute increment and check their progress. Flip them over and repeat until they're crispy and golden brown on both sides. Depending on your air fryer and desired level of crispiness, this process may take 15-18 minutes in total.

If you're cooking a large batch, you may need to keep the cooked falafel warm while you cook the rest. You can do this by placing them in a low oven or warming drawer. Alternatively, serve them as they're ready with warm pita, tahini yogurt sauce, and your choice of toppings!

By following these steps and cooking your falafel in batches, you'll ensure they're cooked to perfection and your guests will be impressed!

How to serve falafel

To cook falafel in an air fryer, set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F. Cook the falafel in 5-minute increments, checking after each increment to see if it has crisped and turned golden brown. Flip the falafel over and repeat until cooked.

Falafel can be served in a number of ways. It is often served in a pita, either as a sandwich or with pita chips for dipping. You can also serve falafel with other types of bread, such as naan or whole wheat pita.

Falafel also works well in a bowl, either with rice or quinoa and vegetables, or with salad. Tzatziki, tahini yogurt sauce, or baba ghanoush are popular dips and condiments to serve with falafel. You can also serve it with pickled red cabbage, radishes, feta, or olives.

How to store leftover falafel

Falafel should be cooked in an air fryer at around 375ºF (190ºC) for 15-18 minutes. If you are cooking at a higher temperature, such as 400ºF, you should cook the falafel in 5-minute increments, checking after each increment to see if it has crisped and gained colour.

Leftover falafel will store well in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. You can also freeze falafel for longer storage. To reheat, simply place the falafel in the air fryer and cook in 5-minute increments until heated through.

Frequently asked questions