Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love!

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Healthy air fryer falafel is the answer when you want something warm, crispy, and satisfying without deep-frying your kitchen into a greasy cloud. I love falafel from my favorite street spot, but on busy nights I want it faster, lighter, and still bold with herbs and spices. That is exactly why I make this at home in the air fryer. It turns out golden and crunchy outside, soft and herby inside, and it smells like a cozy little cafe. If you have 20 minutes and a can-do mood, you can pull this off. I’ll show you how I get it right every time.

Flavorful & Crispy Homemade Air Fryer Falafel

I’ve tried a lot of versions, and this one hits the sweet spot of texture and flavor. The outside crisps beautifully while the inside stays tender, with a big pop of parsley, cilantro, garlic, and cumin. No deep fryer. No greasy aftertaste. Just clean, vibrant, falafel that tastes fresh and cooks quickly.

Here is the big promise: this is a Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love! It uses simple pantry spices and soaked chickpeas. The air fryer works like a tiny convection oven that blasts hot air around the patties, so you get that crisp bite without a vat of oil. I also add a small pinch of baking powder to help the centers stay light.

If you like Mediterranean snacking boards, try adding a crunchy side like these zesty air fryer chickpeas. They pair so well with falafel on a mezze plate. And for veggie lovers, a tray of air fryer eggplant makes it feel like a colorful feast.

“I followed the tips exactly and the falafel came out crisp and full of flavor. My family asked for it again the next day. The air fryer method is a keeper.”

How To Make Falafel

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups dried chickpeas, soaked 12 to 24 hours, then drained well (do not use canned for best results)
• 1 small onion, roughly chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 packed cup fresh parsley
• 1/2 packed cup fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes, optional
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 to 3 tablespoons chickpea flour or all purpose flour, as needed for binding
• 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice, optional but bright and tasty
• Olive oil spray or 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil for brushing

Directions

• Soak dried chickpeas in plenty of water 12 to 24 hours. Drain and pat dry well. They should feel firm, not mushy.
• Add chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, and baking powder to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture looks like coarse sand and it holds together when squeezed. Do not puree into paste.
• Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour. Pulse a few more times. If the mixture still feels loose, add another tablespoon.
• Taste and adjust salt. Stir in lemon juice if you like a bright flavor. Chill the mixture 20 to 30 minutes so it firms up.
• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F or 190°C. Lightly oil the basket or use perforated parchment.
• Use a scoop or spoon to shape 14 to 16 small patties about 1/2 inch thick. You can do small balls too, but patties cook more evenly in the air fryer.
• Lightly brush or spray the falafel with oil. Air fry 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway. They should be deeply golden and crisp at the edges.
• Serve warm in pita with tomato, cucumber, and tahini sauce or on a salad with yogurt and lemon.

What you will need

You will need a food processor, an air fryer, and a small scoop or spoon for shaping. A little oil brush or spray helps you get that extra-crisp finish. I like perforated parchment when I cook a big batch because it keeps things neat, but it is optional.

If you are into plant-based patties, you might also like these hearty air fryer white bean patties. They are a great alternative for weeknight dinners when you want something simple and wholesome.

Another note: this is my second mention because it matters for results. This is a Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love! So give the mixture that quick chill and do not puree it too smooth. Those two small steps change everything.

Should you use dry or canned chickpeas?

Short answer: dried chickpeas are best for falafel. When you soak dried chickpeas, they keep a firm, pebbly texture that grinds into a crumbly mix. That crumb keeps falafel fluffy inside and crisp outside. Canned chickpeas are already cooked and too wet. They can make mushy falafel that falls apart.

If canned is all you have, drain them very well, pat dry, then chill them uncovered in the fridge for an hour to dry out more. Increase the chickpea flour a bit for binding. Expect a softer texture though. For the classic falafel bite, dried wins every time.

By the way, if you like adding more Mediterranean sides, a homemade falafel plate loves a little salad and maybe a slice of this easy Mediterranean air fryer pita pizza on the side. Fun, fast, and seriously satisfying.

Oh, and one more reminder as you plan your meal: we are making a Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love! The texture difference from dried chickpeas is a major reason it lives up to that promise.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Falafel

First, do not over-process. Pulse until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs with tiny green flecks. If it turns into a puree, the inside can get dense. Second, give the mixture time to rest in the fridge. This lets the chickpea flour absorb moisture and helps the patties hold their shape.

Third, shape small patties for even browning. Balls look cute but can brown unevenly in an air fryer. Fourth, preheat the air fryer. A hot basket helps the outside set fast so you get a crisp crust. Fifth, a light brush of oil on both sides makes a big difference in color and crunch.

Serve hot with cool, creamy sauces. I love quick tahini lemon sauce, or yogurt with a squeeze of lemon and pinch of salt. Add sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs for freshness. If you’re building a full mezze spread, roasted veggies are perfect too. These air fryer eggplant recipes are a great match.

Let me say it again because it truly fits: this is a Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love! Use those simple tips and you will have golden patties that beat takeout in both crunch and flavor.

Freezing and reheating air fryer falafel

You can freeze falafel both cooked and uncooked. For uncooked, shape the patties and place them on a parchment-lined sheet. Freeze until solid, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Cook them from frozen at 375°F or 190°C for about 14 to 16 minutes, flipping halfway, until deep golden.

For cooked leftovers, cool completely before freezing. Reheat straight from frozen at 350°F or 175°C for 6 to 8 minutes until warmed through and crisp again. In the fridge, they keep well for 3 to 4 days. I love stuffing reheated falafel into lunch bowls with greens and tahini. If you want another meal-prep hero, these air fryer stuffed peppers with feta and quinoa make a colorful side or next-day lunch.

Batch-cooking is the best way to keep a Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love! ready to go. Future you will be very happy on a busy weeknight.

Common Questions

Can I bake this instead of air frying?
Yes. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 400°F or 205°C for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping once. Brush lightly with oil for better browning.

Do I have to use cilantro?
No. If cilantro is not your thing, replace it with more parsley. The flavor will be a bit different but still fresh and delicious.

How do I keep falafel from falling apart?
Use soaked dried chickpeas, do not puree too smooth, and chill the mixture. Add an extra tablespoon of chickpea flour if needed. Shape smaller patties for easier flipping.

Is this gluten free?
Yes, if you use chickpea flour. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten free. Always check spice labels to be sure.

What sauces go best?
Tahini lemon, garlicky yogurt, or a simple squeeze of lemon with olive oil and salt. Add a drizzle of hot sauce if you like a kick.

A tasty little wrap-up you can cook tonight

All set to try a Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love!? With soaked chickpeas, a quick pulse in the processor, and a short air-fry, you get big flavor in less time than delivery. Keep it simple with pita, veggies, and tahini, or turn it into a mezze spread with extras like crispy chickpeas or roasted eggplant. For more inspiration, this helpful guide from Elavegan walks through another take on falafel in the air fryer: Air Fryer Falafel Recipe (Gluten-Free, Vegan). Whichever route you choose, you will end up with something crunchy, herby, and totally satisfying.

One last nudge before you preheat: bookmark a couple of sides so dinner feels complete and fun next time too, like the quick Mediterranean air fryer pita pizza. Then dive in, enjoy, and make this your new weeknight favorite. And yes, this really is a Delicious Healthy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe You’ll Love!

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