Air Fryer Falafel Recipe is my favourite healthy meal that I recently tried using an air fryer. Perfectly crispy and fluffy falafel was delicious and my kids loved them. With so less oil and no frying required, this recipe was done within 20 minutes and less mess to clean up as it can be processed in a single jar. And the best part that I love is that these falafels can be either fried, baked or air fried and they all taste the same!
Table of Contents
- Homemade Falafel Recipe
- What you need to make these Vegan falafel Recipe?
- Instructions to make Air fryer Falafel Recipe
Homemade Falafel Recipe
I love making these healthy air fryer falafels for my family. Be it for a snack or a meal, it makes a power packed nutricious recipe for kids. I have tried frying falafels in oil and tried these air fried falafels and I cannot distinguish the taste. My toddler enjoyed snacking it and it was satisfying to watch my picky eater also grabbing a couple of them in her hand.
These can be a great idea for lunch box or to pack and go for picnics. You can choose to even make a wrap using avocado flatbread by filling these falafel and hummus inside it. Or use it as a burger patty inside a bun.
What you need to make these Vegan falafel Recipe?
Here is a list if ingredients you need to make this healthy falafel recipe:
- Chickpeas – Washed and soaked chickpeas for up to 8 hours or overnight. I have used 2 cups of chickpeas in this recipe. They are super rich in protein and makes a healthy diet for kids.
- Onion – Half onion slightly chopped adds flavour to the falafel.
- Garlic – 1 or 2 cloves of garlic is used for flavour.
- Ginger – 1 inch ginger chopped into chunks is added to help with digestion and gives flavour.
- Chillies – I have added 2 small chillies not making it too spicy. You can choose to add more depending on your preference.
- Cumin – A tbsp of cumin or cumin powder can be added.
- Cilantro – A bunch of cilantro adds colour and flavour.
- Mint/ Parsley/ Dill – You can use either of them based on availability. I have tried falafel using mint, dill and even parsley and they taste amazing. A small bunch of either one of them is added to this recipe.
- Chickpea flour – 1 tbsp o chickpea flour is used to bind the mixture while making falafel balls.
- Baking soda – A pinch of baking soda makes the falafel fluffy inside and crispy outside. You can choose to eliminate it.
- Salt – A tbsp of salt as per your preference.
- Olive Oil – 2 tbsp oil if you are air frying or baking. Use more if you choose to deep fry them.
Instructions to make Air fryer Falafel Recipe
Here are simple instructions to follow in making healthy homemade Falafel recipe:
- Wash and soak Chickpeas in warm water overnight or for up to 8 hours.
- Add soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, cumin, ginger, chillies, cilantro, parsley/ dill/ mint into a food processor and pulse until they are mixed well and become a dough consistency.
- Add the ground mixture to a bowl. Add in a spoon of chickpea flour, baking soda and salt and mix well.
- Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop form an equal sized falafel balls.
- Brush a tbsp of oil on them before baking or airfrying.
- If you are using air fryer, air fry them for upto 20 mins at 400 degrees. Until you see them turning brown.
- If you are baking, bake them at 400 degrees for up to 20 minutes.
- If you want to deep fry them, you can do so by dropping them in hot oil until they are brown and crispy.
- Enjoy the crispy air fryer Falafel recipe with hummus or cream cheese.
Tips for Authentic Falafel Recipe
- Do not use water while grinding the mixture. It becomes too watery and difficult to make Falafel balls.
- If the mixture becomes too thin, add extra chickpea flour to bind well.
- Using dill gives you the authentic Falafel recipe flavour.
- You can choose to add flour and salt while pulsing so it is less mess to clean up after.
- Enjoy Falafel in a wrap or burger or with some cream cheese and hummus dip.
- You can refrigerate the falafel mixture for up to 4 days.
FAQs Air Fryer Falafel
1. How long do you need to soak chickpeas for falafel?
Allow at least 8 hours for the chickpeas to soak in and soften. If you can it is preferable to soak overnight for best results.
2. Why did my falafel disintegrate in the fryer?
If the mixture is too wet, it can easily disintegrate in the fryer or in the hot oil. Make sure to add extra chickpea flour if you think the mixture is too wet. Or you can choose to refrigerate the mixture for up to an hour before frying them.
3. Why is my falafel so dry?
The soaked Falafel mixture has a lot of uncooked starch in them that can make Falafel dry. Adding a few breadcrumbs soaked in oil can help with moisture. Or try to refrigerate or rest the mixture for an hour before frying.
4. Can I reheat falafel in the air fryer?
The air fryer falafel recipe tastes best when it is warm. You can totally reheat the falafels in air fryer for 8-10 mins to get crispy and hot baked falafel recipe.
5. How do you keep a falafel crispy?
- Make sure to take out all the moisture from the soaked chickpeas before pulsing.
- Use chickpea flour to add extra crumbles.
- Refrigerate the mixture for up to an hour before air frying.
6. How long is falafel good in the refrigerator?
You can store the falafel mixture or ready falafel in refrigerator for up to 4 days and re heat in an air fryer or oven for better results.
7. Can I freeze falafel before frying?
Yes. You can freeze the homemade falafel recipe batter in a freezer for up to 2 months. Defrost them by baking or air frying at 400 degrees.
Air Fryer Falafel Recipe
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chickpeas
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 inch Ginger
- 2 Green Chillies
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 bunch Cilantro
- 1 bunch Mint/ Parsley/ Dill
- 2 tbsp Chickpea flour
- 1 pinch Baking soda
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and soak Chickpeas in warm water overnight or for up to 8 hours.
- Pat dry and add soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, cumin, ginger, chillies, cilantro, parsley/ dill/ mint into a food processor and pulse until they are mixed well and become a dough consistency.
- Add the ground mixture to a bowl. Add in a spoon of chickpea flour, baking soda and salt and mix well.
- Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop form an equal sized falafel ball.
- Brush a tbsp of oil on them before baking or airfrying
- If you are using air fryer, air fry them for upto 20 mins at 400 degrees. Until you see them turning brown.
- If you are baking, bake them at 400 degrees for up to 20 minutes.
- If you want to deep fry them, you can do so by dropping them in hot oil until they are brown and crispy.
- Enjoy the crispy air fryer Falafel recipe with hummus or cream cheese.
Notes
- Do not use water while grinding the mixture. It becomes too watery and difficult to make Falafel balls.
- If the mixture becomes too thin, add extra chickpea flour to bind well.
- Using dill gives you the authentic Falafel recipe flavour.
- You can choose to add flour and salt while pulsing so it is less messy to clean up after.
- Enjoy Falafel in a wrap or burger or with some cream cheese and hummus dip.
- You can refrigerate the falafel mixture for up to 4 days.
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