Love a good falafel but tired of having to order it in? Then this healthy twist is for you! Air Fryer Falafel is so easy to make from home and is easily 70% less fat than your traditional restaurant falafel that is deep fried. Enjoy this Air Fryer Falafel with a pita bread and fresh cucumber sauce to complete your meal!
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Why You Need to Make This Air Fried Falafel
Looking for a quick, plant-forward recipe the entire family will love?
Then this Air Fryer Falafel is just what you need. I make this during my weekend meal prep and my entire family (toddler included) goes crazy for it.
It’s a win-win in the kitchen and motherhood right when you get them to eat more veggies like this! And yes, beans like chickpeas in here count as a veggie, you can find out more about the nutrition in beans here
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Note, not included in the above is the tahini paste and gluten free breadcrumbs!
Ingredient Tips
Garbanzo bean flour: I like this addition because it really brings the flavor plus nutrition all in one (and keeps the falafel gluten-free.) If you don’t have this, you can sub in a flour of choice but note the nutrition and flavor will change slightly.
Gluten-free breadcrumbs: Feel free to swap in panko breadcrumbs if you do not need a gluten-free dish.
Fresh parsley: Use fresh, not dried. The flavor (and color) comes through from the fresh!
Onion: If you aren’t a fan of onion, feel free to omit.
Ingredients Swaps
Gluten-free: Making this recipe as it’s listed keeps this recipe gluten-free naturally!
Vegan: This recipe is naturally vegan and 100% plant-based.
How to Make This Falafel in the Air Fryer
(1 + 2) Preheat your air fryer if necessary, then rinse and dry garbanzo beans and toss into a blender or food processor with other ingredients. You do not need to use the parsley stems (though I do to reduce food waste!)
(3 + 4) Pulse until smooth, wiping down the sides every 30 seconds to make sure dough is even. Spoon into a large bowl.
(5 + 6) Add garbanzo bean flour and mix until combined.
(7) Portion into 12 falafel patties (or the number you prefer based on sizing.)
(8) Coat in gluten-free breadcrumbs.
(9 + 10) Spray the air fryer basket and place falafel patties inside. Cook for 6 minutes, then rotate and cook another 6 minutes.
Viola, remove and repeat with remaining patties until all are cooked!
Serve warm with desired sides! I suggest pita, fresh veggies and a cucumber yogurt sauce!
Recipe Notes + Expert Tips
Keep these tips in mind as you prepare this recipe for your crew!
- Remember when blending (or using your food processor) the dough will be thick! Try not to add any more liquid as it will be too hard to form patties. Instead, scrape down the sides and continue to pulse.
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs are easy to find at most markets these days, or you can make your own with gluten free bread in the toaster!
This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free. However, if you do not need a gluten-free diet and have a hard time with lots of fiber, you can modify the following:
- Use regular breadcrumbs or all-purpose flour in place of the garbanzo bean flour when mixing it into the dough to form patties.
As long as your patient when making the dough, I promise, you’ll get this perfect falafel every time!
FAQs On Making this Air Fryer Falafel Recipe
You bet you can! Set the air fryer to 350 degrees for 5 minutes and let cook! Be sure to spray the basket with a light olive oil mist to prevent the falafel from sticking.
Typically I don’t recommend this at the temperature required for this air fryer falafel to properly cook and get the right texture it needs. Spraying your basket with the cooking spray will be sufficient to prevent the falafel from sticking!
Other Air Fryer Recipes You May Enjoy
Air Fryer Falafel
Ingredients
- 14.5 oz cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
- 2 tbsp tahini paste
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsps dried dill
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour
- 1/2 cup gluten free breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Rinse, drain and pat dry the garbanzo beans. Add them to a food processor or high powered blender with the tahini paste, garlic, dill, cumin, pepper, salt, onion, and parsley. Pulse until smooth, scrapping down the sides of the food processor or blender every 30 seconds to ensure even mixing.
- Place contents from blender in a large bowl. Mix in the garbanzo bean flour until a dry dough is formed. If needed, add 1 tsp at a time more of flour in order to be able to mold the falafel batter into patties.
- Form batter into patties. Dough should yield roughly 12 patties.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket then place the falafel patties into the air fryer. Bake for 6 minutes, then flip and bake remaining 4 to 6 minutes. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake in batches.
- Remove and serve warm with pita, cucumber yogurt sauce and desired veggies.
- Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Remember when blending (or using your food processor) the dough will be thick! Try not to add any more liquid as it will be too hard to form patties. Instead, scrape down the sides and continue to pulse.
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs are easy to find at most markets these days, or you can make your own with gluten free bread in the toaster!
- Use regular breadcrumbs or all-purpose flour in place of the garbanzo bean flour when mixing it into the dough to form patties.
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