If you’re looking for a delicious and easy vegetarian option that’s high in protein and cooked without a lot of oil, you’ll love air fryer falafel!
Made with chickpeas and seasoned with herbs and spices, these falafel balls are crispy on the outside, flavorful and soft on the inside, and make a great main, side, or even a snack!
Ingredients
To make this air fryer falafel recipe (from scratch), here are the ingredients that you will need:
- Chickpeas – Dried chickpeas soaked overnight.
- Garlic cloves – Adds flavor and aroma to the falafel.
- Shallot – Can be substituted with finely chopped yellow onion.
- Parsley – Adds freshness.
- Baking powder – Helps make the falafel mixture light and fluffy.
- Coriander – For extra flavor.
- Black Pepper – Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor of the falafel.
- Water – Used to adjust the consistency of the falafel mixture if needed.
- Sesame seeds – Optional topping for extra flavor.
Recipe Tips
Before you get started with this falafel recipe, have a look through these recipe tips for the best results:
- Use dried chickpeas that have been soaked in water overnight for the best texture and consistency. However, it is possible to use canned chickpeas.
- You can adjust the spices you add to suit your personal preference.
- If you have trouble forming the falafel balls, place the mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow it to firm up slightly.
- You can also make air fryer falafel from a store-bought falafel mix. In this case, prepare the dry mix as indicated on the box and then shape it into balls before air frying just like in this recipe. Keep in mind that your cooking time may vary.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer as this can prevent the falafel from cooking and crisping evenly.
- You can spray the falafel balls with a bit of oil spray before air frying if you want them to be crispier.
Step by Step Instructions
In this section, we’ll show you exactly how to make falafel in the air fryer. Since this recipe is from scratch, we have included all the recipe process photos so that you can follow along at home.
The recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions is located at the bottom of this post!
Soak the chickpeas in cold water overnight. Then drain them well. You can use them as they are, without cooking.
In a blender or food processor, process the chickpeas in small batches until smooth. Add some water if needed to help them blend.
When all the chickpeas are pureed, add the chopped shallot, chopped garlic cloves, parsley, salt, black pepper, coriander, and baking powder.
Blend again until everything is well combined.
Transfer the chickpea mixture to a bowl and taste for seasoning. Add more salt or spices if you like. You can also stir in some sesame seeds if you want.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-7 minutes, or until it indicates that it is preheated.
Meanwhile, with wet hands, shape the mixture into balls about 1-2 inches in diameter. You can also make them oval or flat like small patties. Make sure that they are all roughly the same size.
Place the falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with oil spray (optional). Cook in batches if necessary.
Cook the falafel at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
Then flip the falafel over, spray with more oil spray (optional), and cook for another 3 minutes, or until golden and crisp on both sides.
Serve falafel with vegetables, sauces, herbs, and more sesame seeds if desired. They can be enjoyed on a pita or in a wrap, or can be a protein-packed vegetarian main dish, side, or appetizer! Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Once you’ve made these homemade falafel, allow any leftovers to cool, and then store them in a sealed container or wrapped in foil in the fridge. This will keep them from drying out.
Properly stored, they’ll keep for about 3-4 days. Keep in mind that they may lose some of their crunch in the fridge.
To reheat the falafel, you can place them back in the air fryer at about 350 degrees Fahrenheit for just a few minutes.
This will get them heated through and bring back some of the crispiness. You can even spray them with a little bit of oil if you like.
FAQ
To make homemade falafel in the air fryer, blend the water-soaked chickpeas and other spices and form into 1-2 inch balls with your wet hands. Place in the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes on one side and 3 minutes on the other until fully cooked and crispy.
How long to cook falafel in the air fryer depends on their size and thickness. 1 -2 inch falafel balls at 400 degrees Fahrenheit will take about 5 minutes on one side and 3 minutes on the other side until fully cooked and crispy.
To reheat homemade falafel, place the falafel balls back in the air fryer in an even layer for a few minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Related Recipes
If you liked this recipe, here are some more tasty vegetarian recipes that you can try making in the air fryer!
- Air Fryer Vegetable Skewers
- Cabbage Steaks in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Crispy Chickpeas
- Carrot Bacon – Air Fryer-Style
- Air Fried Stuffed Mushrooms
Air Fryer Falafel
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpeas, soaked in water (see notes)
- water, if needed
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/3 teaspoon coriander
- 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for serving (optional)
- oil spray, optional
Instructions
- Soak the chickpeas in cold water overnight. Then drain them well. You can use them as they are, without cooking.1 cup chickpeas
- In a blender or food processor, process the chickpeas in small batches until smooth. Add some water if needed to help them blend.water
- When all the chickpeas are pureed, add the chopped shallot, chopped garlic cloves, parsley, baking powder, coriander, black pepper, and salt. Blend again until everything is well combined.3 garlic cloves, 1 shallot, 3 tablespoons parsley, 1/3 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/3 teaspoon coriander
- Transfer the chickpea mixture to a bowl and taste for seasoning. Add more salt or spices if you like. You can also stir in some sesame seeds if you want.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-7 minutes or until it indicates that it is preheated.
- Meanwhile, with wet hands, shape the mixture into balls about 1-2 inches in diameter. You can also make them oval or flat like small patties.
- Place the falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with oil spray (optional). Cook in batches if necessary.oil spray
- Cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Then flip the falafel over, spray with more oil spray (optional), and cook for another 3 minutes, or until golden and crisp on both sides.
- Serve the falafel with vegetables, sauces, herbs, and more sesame seeds if desired.1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Notes
- Use dried chickpeas that have been soaked in water overnight for the best texture and consistency. However, it is possible to use canned chickpeas as well.
- You can adjust the spices you add to suit your personal preference.
- If you have trouble forming the falafel balls, place the mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow it to firm up slightly.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer as this can prevent the falafel from cooking and crisping evenly.
- You can spray the falafel balls with a bit of oil spray before air frying if you want them to be crispier.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
