Introduction

Oh, remember those days of dreaming about perfectly golden, crispy falafel? That moment when you bite into one and get that satisfying crunch, followed by the warm, herby goodness inside? Well, get ready to recreate that magic right in your own kitchen, super easily! This Air Fryer Falafel recipe is an absolute game-changer. It’s so simple, you’ll be wondering why you ever bought them pre-made. Perfect for a quick lunch, a fun appetizer, or even a healthy dinner, these little flavor bombs are about to become your new best friend.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Once your chickpeas are soaked, the prep is incredibly quick!
Easy: Minimal steps and your air fryer does most of the work.
Giftable: Imagine a batch of these warm and delicious falafel as part of a mezze platter for friends!
Crowd-pleasing: Seriously, who doesn’t love falafel? It’s a winner for picky eaters and foodies alike.

Ingredients

Let’s gather up what we need for these delicious bites:

2 cups (400 g) dried chickpeas: The heart and soul of our falafel! Make sure they’re dried, not canned.
5 garlic cloves, chopped: For that punch of savory flavor.
1 small onion, chopped: Adds a touch of sweetness and depth.
1 cup parsley leaves, chopped: Fresh herbs are key for that authentic taste.
½ cup cilantro leaves, chopped: Don’t skip this! It adds a wonderful brightness.
2 tsp ground coriander: Warm, earthy, and absolutely essential.
2 tsp ground cumin: Another staple for that classic falafel vibe.
1 ½ tsp sea salt: To bring all those flavors together.
1 tsp black pepper: Just a little kick.
Red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, to taste: If you like a little heat, this is your moment to shine!
1 tsp baking powder (optional): This can help make your falafel a bit lighter and fluffier.
Cooking spray: To help them get perfectly golden and prevent sticking.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens.

The Night Before Prep: This is the only “planning” you’ll need to do! Take your dried chickpeas and cover them with plenty of water. Let them soak overnight. In the morning, drain and rinse them really well. This is important for texture!
Food Processor Fun: Now, grab your food processor. Toss in the soaked and rinsed chickpeas, your chopped garlic, the onion, and those lovely fresh parsley and cilantro leaves.
Get Grinding: Pulse and process the mixture. You want it to be finely ground, but don’t go crazy and make it a paste. A little bit of texture is good, it makes for more interesting falafel!
Spice it Up: Time for the flavor boosters! Add in the ground coriander, ground cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling adventurous.
The Optional Puff: If you’re using baking powder, add it now. It’s not strictly necessary, but it does give a nice lightness.
One Last Pulse: Give it a few more quick pulses to make sure all those wonderful spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Shape ‘Em Up: Now, get your hands a little messy! Form the mixture into small patties or little balls. About 1-inch in size is usually perfect.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: Get your air fryer nice and warm. Set it to 375°F (190°C).
Basket Prep: Give your air fryer basket a light spritz with cooking spray. This is a little trick I learned to ensure they don’t stick one bit!
Arrange with Care: Place your shaped falafel into the air fryer basket. Make sure they’re in a single layer. Don’t crowd them! They need a little space to get crispy on all sides. You might need to do this in batches.
Air Fry to Golden Perfection: Let them cook for about 12-15 minutes. About halfway through, give the basket a good shake or carefully flip them with tongs. You’re looking for that beautiful, golden-brown color and a nice, crispy exterior.
Serve and Enjoy! Once they’re done, carefully remove them from the air fryer. Serve them up warm and get ready for the compliments!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling creative? I love to switch things up! Here are some ideas:

Herbs: Feel free to swap some of the parsley or cilantro for fresh mint or even a bit of dill.
Spices: A pinch of turmeric can add a lovely golden hue and a subtle flavor boost. Smoked paprika is also a delicious addition!
Binder (if needed): If your mixture feels a bit too wet and crumbly to form, you can add a tablespoon or two of chickpea flour (besan) or even a touch of all-purpose flour.
For a Kick: If you love spicy food, amp up the red pepper flakes or add a finely chopped jalapeño to the food processor.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to make sure your falafel turns out perfectly every time:

Don’t Over-Process: I can’t stress this enough! A slightly textured mixture will give you the best falafel. A completely smooth paste can lead to a dense result.
Soak, Soak, Soak: Make sure those chickpeas get a full overnight soak. This is crucial for the right consistency when you process them.
Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: This is probably the most common mistake! Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping. Cook in batches if you have to.
Prep Ahead: You can absolutely make the falafel mixture a day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just shape and cook when you’re ready!
Shake it Up: Don’t forget to flip or shake your falafel halfway through cooking for even crispiness.

How to Store It

Got some leftover falafel? Lucky you! Here’s how to keep them delicious:

Once cooled completely, store leftover falafel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat and get them crispy again, pop them back into the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. You can also reheat them in a toaster oven or a regular oven.

FAQs

Got questions? I’ve got answers!

Q: Can I use canned chickpeas?
A: For the best texture and authenticity, it’s really best to use dried chickpeas that you soak yourself. Canned chickpeas have too much moisture and will likely result in a mushy falafel.

Q: My falafel mixture is too crumbly. What can I do?
A: This can happen! Try adding a tablespoon or two of chickpea flour or a bit of water, and process again until it just comes together. You can also try forming them by pressing the mixture firmly in your hands.

Q: How do I serve falafel?
A: Oh, the possibilities are endless! Serve them in warm pita bread with tahini sauce, hummus, and fresh veggies. They’re also fantastic in salads, as an appetizer with dips, or as part of a larger mezze platter.

Q: Can I freeze the falafel?
A: Yes! You can freeze uncooked falafel balls or patties. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the air frying time.

Crispy Air Fryer Falafel

Delicious and easy falafel made in the air fryer, perfect for a quick and healthy meal or appetizer.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings 4 servings

Equipment

Food processor
Air Fryer

Ingredients

Main ingredients

2 cups dried chickpeas 400 g, soaked overnight
5 garlic cloves chopped
1 small onion chopped
1 cup parsley leaves chopped
0.5 cup cilantro leaves chopped
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
1.5 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper
to taste red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper optional, for heat
1 tsp baking powder optional, for lightness
as needed cooking spray

Instructions

Soak dried chickpeas in plenty of water overnight. In the morning, drain and rinse them well.
In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, chopped garlic, onion, parsley, and cilantro.
2 cups dried chickpeas
Pulse and process the mixture until finely ground, but with some texture; avoid making a paste.
Add ground coriander, ground cumin, sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2 cups dried chickpeas
If using baking powder, add it now.
2 cups dried chickpeas
Pulse a few more times to evenly distribute the spices.
Form the mixture into small patties or balls, about 1-inch in size.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
2 cups dried chickpeas
Arrange the falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have space between them. Cook in batches if necessary.
Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the falafel halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
Carefully remove from the air fryer and serve warm.

Notes

You can make the falafel mixture a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. For reheating, use the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes.