These air fryer falafel are the perfect combination of crispy on the outside and tender, moist, and fluffy on the inside—just the way authentic falafel should be. By using an air fryer instead of deep frying, you can enjoy this Middle Eastern classic with significantly less oil, making it a healthier, low-calorie alternative without sacrificing the beloved texture or flavor.
Prepared using wholesome ingredients like soaked chickpeas, fresh herbs, garlic, onion, and aromatic spices, these falafels are packed with plant-based protein and fiber. The air fryer gives them a beautiful golden-brown crust, locking in all the deliciousness while keeping the inside soft and flavorful. It’s the perfect guilt-free option for anyone looking to eat clean without missing out on taste.
There are plenty of creative ways to serve them, too. Tuck the crispy falafel into a warm pita pocket, layering it with crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickled onions. Finish it off with a generous drizzle of creamy tahini or garlic yogurt sauce for a satisfying sandwich. You can also pile them high over a fresh falafel salad bowl with greens, olives, quinoa, and a zesty lemon dressing for a nourishing meal. Or simply enjoy them on their own as a healthy snack or appetizer, paired with hummus or a tangy dip on the side.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to explore nutritious meatless meals, this air fryer falafel recipe is a must-try. It’s easy, versatile, and incredibly delicious with every bite!
What is Falafel?
Falafel is one of the most iconic and beloved street foods from the Middle East, known for its bold flavors, crispy texture, and satisfying bite. Traditionally, it’s made by blending soaked chickpeas (or sometimes fava beans, especially in Egyptian variations) with a mix of fresh herbs, onions, garlic, and earthy spices like cumin and coriander. The mixture is then shaped into small balls or patties and typically deep-fried until golden and crisp on the outside, with a fluffy, flavorful interior.
Falafel is more than just food—it’s a cultural staple enjoyed across countries from Lebanon to Israel, Jordan to Egypt, and now widely embraced globally. It’s naturally vegan and protein-rich, making it a popular choice for both vegetarians and health-conscious eaters.
While the traditional deep-fried method yields that signature crispy crust, it also adds a considerable amount of oil and calories. Thankfully, falafel can be made in healthier ways without losing its charm. Today, I’m walking you through a step-by-step method to make falafel using an air fryer, a modern approach that gives you the same delicious crunch with very little oil—a perfect option for those seeking a low-fat, nutritious version of this classic dish.
In addition to the air fryer technique, I’ve also included detailed guidance in the FAQ section below for alternative cooking methods such as oven baking, shallow frying, and traditional deep frying. Each method comes with its own advantages, so you can choose what best suits your taste, lifestyle, and kitchen setup.
❤️ You’ll Love This Discuss Fryer Falafel Recipe
• Incredibly Easy to Prepare:
This falafel recipe is wonderfully simple and beginner-friendly. All you need to do is gather your ingredients—soaked chickpeas, fresh herbs, onion, garlic, and spices—then toss them into a food processor. A few pulses later, you’ll have a perfectly blended mixture ready to go. Chill it briefly in the refrigerator to firm up the texture, shape the mixture into balls or patties, and pop them into the air fryer. That’s it! With minimal prep and hands-on time, this method is one of the most convenient and mess-free ways to enjoy homemade falafel.
• Perfect Texture Every Time:
The magic of air frying delivers the ideal falafel texture—crispy and golden brown on the outside, while remaining soft, fluffy, and moist on the inside. There’s no need for deep frying in a vat of oil to achieve that satisfying crunch. The air fryer ensures a consistent cook and a delightful contrast between the crisp shell and tender center.
• Delicious, Balanced Flavor:
These falafel are packed with flavor without being overpowering. The taste is savory and herbaceous, with a slightly nutty and earthy profile thanks to cumin, coriander, and fresh cilantro or parsley. The grainy texture of the chickpeas provides a rustic, hearty bite, while the blend of herbs adds brightness and freshness. It’s a well-rounded flavor that pairs beautifully with sauces, salads, or wraps, and never feels too intense or heavy.
• Great for Meal Prep & Freezing:
One of the best things about falafel is how well it lends itself to meal prepping. You can prepare the mixture in advance, form the balls, and store them raw in the freezer for later. When hunger strikes, you can air fry them straight from frozen or after a quick thaw—making them an excellent option for busy weeknights, packed lunches, or spontaneous snacks. They store well, retain their flavor, and make healthy eating more accessible and hassle-free.
🧾 Ingredient Notes
- Chickpeas (DRIED): Continuously utilize dried chickpeas and splash them for 18-24 hours. The falafel blend made from soaked chickpeas gives the best result.
- Don’t utilize canned chickpeas to make deep-fried falafel. It makes the blend lose its moisture. And it makes it difficult to shape the balls. To decrease the dampness, one will include a few flours; in this way, the conclusion item will turn difficult and dense.
- Herbs: Continuously utilize new parsley and cilantro. It gives the best refreshing flavor.
- Baking powder: It gives falafel a breezy, cushy surface from the interior. If you skip it at that point you’ll conclude with a thick texture
👩🍳 How To Make Air Fryer Falafel? (Pics)
Soaking Chickpeas:
1) Take chickpeas in a colander and wash/rinse them beneath running cold water until water runs clear. Take them into a huge bowl.
2) Include sufficient water (3-inches over the chickpeas), cover and let it drench for 18-24 hours.
3) After the dousing, they get multiplied or nearly triple in size.
4) Drain the dousing water.
Making Air Fryer Falafel:
1) Include parsley, cilantro, onion, and garlic in a food processor.
2) Once all your ingredients are in the food processor or blender, pulse them gradually to break everything down. Rather than blending until smooth, your goal is to achieve a coarsely ground mixture—a textured, slightly chunky consistency that holds together well but still showcases the individual components.
This rustic grind is essential for traditional falafel, as it helps create that signature crispy exterior and tender interior when cooked. If needed, pause occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl, ensuring that everything is evenly incorporated without overworking the mix. Patience here pays off, giving you a perfect base for forming flavorful, authentic falafel patties or balls
3) Include drenched, depleted chickpeas, flavors (ground coriander, ground cumin, cayenne pepper), salt, pepper, and preparing powder.
4) Beat it until you get the finely ground blend. Make beyond any doubt not to over-process and don’t make it paste-like. Keep the blend marginally coarse.
5) Expel the blend into a bowl, cover, and chill in the ice chest for at slightest 30 minutes to 1 hour. Yes, this step is essential, it makes a difference to tie and makes it simpler to shape into balls.
6) Presently begin forming into a ball or patty shape. I have utilized 1 ½ tablespoons measure of cookie scoop to make even-sized falafels.
7) Attempt crushing with the offer assistance of your palm and shape into a ball.
8) Exchange the balls into an discuss fryer wicker container. Splash the balls softly with cooking oil shower.
9) Discuss broil them at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 12-13 minutes. Around 8-9 minutes, shake the wicker container or tenderly move around the balls for indeed browning. Expel them to a plate and rehash the same for rest.
💭 Expert Tips For Best Discuss Fryer Falafel
- Always utilize dry chickpeas (not canned or cooked). Drench the chickpeas for 24 hours and utilize them in the recipe.
- Chill the falafel blend in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The starch from dried, doused chickpeas have sufficient time to splash up, so it will be simple to shape the balls without falling separated.
- Don’t utilize the ‘quick soaking’ strategy for chickpeas that doesn’t work here.
- Shape the falafel into a patty shape if you are arranging to serve into pita pockets. Level, disc-shaped falafel is simple to stuff in pita bread.
🥣 Storage Instructions
Storing Leftover Air- Fried Falafel A Guide to Keeping Them Fresh
still, do n’t let them go to waste — proper storehouse can extend their life while conserving as much of their flavor and texture as possible, If you find yourself with leftover air- fried falafel. When placed in an watertight vessel and cooled, falafel can last up to three days. still, keep in mind that refrigeration will beget them to gradationally lose their crisp surface and fresh taste.
For longer storehouse, falafel can be firmed for over to three months. To do this, allow them to cool fully, also lay them out on a baking distance so they do n’t stick together as they indurate. Once firmed solid, transfer them into a freezer-safe bag or vessel. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, overheat the falafel in an air range. This system helps to revive their brickle texture and brings them near to their original, lately- cooked state, as opposed to microwaving, which can leave them soft or soppy.
Whether storing for the short or long term, flash back that proper running and reheating are crucial to keeping your falafel succulent and satisfying.
Make-ahead options:
- Make the falafel blend a night some time recently and keep it refrigerated. Another day shape and discuss broil.
- You can make balls and store them in the cooler for the another day’s cooking. Or balls can be solidified without cooking.
- To solidify balls, organize them on a heating plate and solidify until solidified. At that point exchange them to a ziplock sack to dodge clumping them together.
- Air broil the solidified falafel (increment the cooking time a few more minutes) or defrost them and at that point discuss fry.
🍽 Serving Ideas
- Make falafel sandwiches by stuffing the pita bread with these fresh air fryer falafel, parts of veggies and a liberal sprinkle of tahini sauce.
- Make a wrap. Attempt by spreading hummus on the wrap, including falafel, cucumber, onion, tomatoes and your choice of veggies and sauce. For the low-carb form, utilize the lettuce clears out instep of a wrap.
- Make falafel serving of mixed greens bowl with romaine lettuce, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, olives, feta and tahini sauce.
- Have them as a nibble with moment pot hummus or any other store-bought flavored hummus.