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    Home / Recipes / Sandwiches

    Air Fryer Falafel

    Published: Sep 16, 2024 · Modified: Jan 5, 2025 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Air-fried falafel is crispy, crunchy, and delicious. This air-fried falafel recipe is perfect for a sandwich, on top of a salad, or as an appetizer dipped in hummus or drizzled with tahini.

    Air-fried falafel cooked on a cutting board on the table

    I struggled with the right texture and taste when preparing my falafel at home. Then, I learned the trick to perfect falafel: dried chickpeas instead of canned ones. Of course, I first baked falafel, which I loved but missed the crunch and taste of fried falafel. So, why not try an air-fried falafel recipe?

    Jump to:
    • How to Prepare Dried Chickpeas for Falafel
    • Air-Fried Falafel Ingredients
    • Air-Fried Falafel Ingredient Substitutions
    • How to Make Air Fryer Falafel
    • Cooking Air-Fried Falafel
    • Air Fryer Recommendations
    • How to Make a Falafel Wrap Sandwich
    • Freezing/Reheating Falafel 
    • FAQs Recipe
    • Tips
    • Delicious Vegan Mediterranean Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    When I lived in Michigan, one of my favorite restaurants was La Marsa, which serves the best falafel I've ever tasted. Unfortunately, they deep-fry their falafel.

    Like my baked falafel recipe, my air-fried falafel recipe is oil-free but tastes similar to La Marsa falafel I miss. 

    I buy my beans, legumes, and chickpeas on Amazon in bulk. This is because they are cheaper and store well. Buying food like this (especially if you are an Amazon Prime member) is excellent because there isn’t any shipping cost, and it arrives in a day.

    How to Prepare Dried Chickpeas for Falafel

    Dried chickpeas are soaked in water in a bowl.
    • First of all, dried chickpeas absorb a lot of water.
    • For instance, a cup of dried chickpeas will expand 3 times its size, yielding 3 cups.
    • So, when soaking chickpeas, always use a bowl three times the size and add 3 times the amount of water to cover the chickpeas. Then, soak the chickpeas overnight. 
    • However, the trick is you never cook chickpeas for baked falafel. Instead, the chickpeas are drained and then rinsed twice before making the falafel dough. 
    • Then, rinse the chickpeas before making the falafel mixture in a food processor. My Kitchen-Aid food processor is a sizable 9-cup variety so the falafel mix can be made in one batch.
    • However, I suggest making it in batches if you have a smaller food processor. 
    Rinsing soaked chickpeas in a colander in the sink.

    Air-Fried Falafel Ingredients

    Red onion, white onion, parsley, dill, and lemon on a cutting board.
    • Dry Chickpeas: Dried chickpeas are much more economical, and they tend to have a more natural flavor because they aren't soaked in preservatives.
    • White Onion: White onions are slightly milder in flavor than yellow onions and taste a bit sweeter.
    • Red Onion: Red onions are quite like yellow onions in flavor when cooked and slightly milder when served raw.
    • Parsley: Parsley has a clean and peppery taste with a touch of earthiness.
    • Dill: Dill has a deliciously fresh, citrus-like taste with a slightly grassy undertone. 
    • Garlic: Fresh garlic is always best when making falafel.
    • Coriander: Floral and citrusy, coriander is a very fresh-tasting spice. Its mildly sweet, lemony flavor is often harnessed in conjunction with other spices in savory recipes.
    • Cumin: The whole seeds and ground cumin can add nutty warmth, pepperiness, and smokiness to all dishes with a faintly musty aroma.
    • Ground Pepper: Fresh ground pepper is suggested for the best flavor.
    • Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne adds a little heat to the falafel.
    • Lemon Juice: Lemon juice adds a fresh citrus component and balances out the sharpness of the tahini.
    • Chickpea Flour: Chickpea flour is made from ground chickpeas. It's also gluten-free.
    • Tahini: Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds and is a staple in many cuisines, especially in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It's vegan and gluten-free.

    Air-Fried Falafel Ingredient Substitutions

    • I have used lentils as a replacement for chickpeas successfully. If you don't like chickpeas, try lentil falafel.
    • Double to white onion or red onion, or substitute for yellow onion.
    • Try cilantro instead of parsley, or double the parsley or dill.
    • One clove of garlic equals about ⅛th of a teaspoon of garlic powder. 
    • Cumin, Masala Curry Powder, or Garam Masala substitutes for coriander in recipes.
    • Chili powder or red pepper flakes work as well as cayenne in air-fried falafel.
    • Bottled lemon juice is an excellent choice in a pinch.
    • Any flour works in this recipe.
    • Nut butter is an excellent substitute for tahini.

    How to Make Air Fryer Falafel

    Falafel ingredients in a large food processor bowl on the counter.
    • Once the soaked chickpeas are soaked and rinsed, it’s time to make the air-fry the falafel dough.
    • First, you must use a food processor to grind the chickpeas and make the falafel dough.
    • Next, add all the ingredients to the ground chickpeas and process on high until you achieve a grainy dough. 
    I pulsed falafel dough in a food processor. I am adding the ground cumin.
    • As a result, you will have a falafel dough that looks similar to this.
    • Then, I use a melon baller or a small cookie dough scooper to form my falafel balls.
    Falafel dough in a bowl.

    Cooking Air-Fried Falafel

    • There are a few other tricks to make oil-free falafel that tastes great.
    • Since the falafel dough is a bit sticky, I suggest air frying in batches, one layer at a time. This allows for the falafel to cook evenly.
    • The other trick is how the falafel mixture is made. It would be best if you pulsed the mixture in the food processor.
    • It is necessary to refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour to set it up before cooking.
    Air-fried falafel recipe shaped into oval forms on a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat.
    • To batch cook, I suggest rolling the falafel mixture into balls or spheres, placing them on a baking sheet, and then transferring them to the air-fryer basket.
    • However, instead of tossing the falafel around in the pan (because they are delicate), gently turn them over using a spatula or your fingers.
    • Be careful, though, not to burn yourself. After cooking all these years, my hands don't register heat. Haha. 

    Air Fryer Recommendations

    • The more simple the air-fryer, the better.
    • Even though kitchen appliances are my favorite, you don't need to spend a fortune to get a great air-fryer. Instead, opt for one that has high approval ratings and is easy to use.
    • I recently bought a Cuisinart Air Fryer, which bakes broils, toasts, grills, and warms.
    • I suggest the Go-Wise Air-Fryer for a smaller air fryer, which is relatively inexpensive and ridiculously easy to use. It even has pre-set settings for easy cooking. 
    Falafel balls in a base of an air fryer.

    How to Make a Falafel Wrap Sandwich

    Air-fried falafel sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and red onion on a tortilla.

    Because I adore La Marsa's falafel sandwich wrap, I replicated it by making an air-fried falafel recipe at home.

    1. First, I chose a large spinach tortilla wrap.
    2. Next, I added a thin layer of my favorite hummus, Romaine lettuce, red onion, tomato, chopped dill pickles, and tahini sauce.
    3. At this point, serve it cold, or heat up a pan and crisp up the tortilla for a crunchy taste on the outside.
    4. Although the pickle might sound odd, it is incredible with the other ingredients. 
    Falafel wrap sandwich served with steak fries.

    I also decided to make some oil-free steak fries since the air-fryer was on the counter, and I love steak fries. 

    Freezing/Reheating Falafel 

    • If you have leftover falafel, place it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Store air-fried falafel in a ziplock bag in a freezer. 
    • I recommend cooking in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes for reheating. Or you can also reheat air-fried falafel in a microwave for 3-4 minutes. 

    FAQs Recipe

    Are falafels like hush puppies?

    Yes, when it comes to texture. Both falafels and hush puppies are crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. 

    Why can't I use canned chickpeas for falafel?

    Canned chickpeas taste skunky and metallic, while dried chickpeas have a cleaner flavor.  

    Why is it called falafel?

    So closely were the dish and the ingredient associated with one another that it appears to have been from fava beans (fūl) that falafel took its name.

    Tips

    • Do not over-pulse the falafel ingredients in the food processor. It should be chunky yet combined.
    • Allow the falafel dough to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, and roll it into balls or oval shapes to make it easier to work with.
    • Consider using a cookie dough baller to make uniform shapes.
    • It's important to ensure the balls/ovals are the exact sizes so they cook evenly.
    • I suggest cooking the falafel first before freezing it.
    • If cooking frozen falafel, allow it to thaw completely before cooking.

    Making air-fried falafel home is easy and a healthy alternative to restaurant falafel.

    Delicious Vegan Mediterranean Recipes

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    • vegan tzatziki potato salad
      Greek Tzatziki Potato Salad
    • Mediterranean Salad With Chickpeas recipe
      Mediterranean Salad with Chickpeas
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      Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potato

    If you love this air-fried falafel recipe, give us a 5-star review and comment below. We would love to hear from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Air fried falafel recipe

    Air-Fried Falafel

    Kathy Carmichael
    Air-fried falafel recipe is crispy, crunchy, and oil-free. Perfect for a sandwich, on top of a salad, or as an appetizer dipped in hummus.
    4.79 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Sandwiches
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 147 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups dry chickpeas or garbanzo beans; soaked overnight Do not cook
    • ½ cup red onion diced
    • ½ cup white onion diced
    • ¼ cup parsley
    • ¼ cup cilantro
    • 5 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 teaspoons coriander
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
    • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    • 1 ½ Tablespoons chickpea flour or flour of choice
    • 2 Tablespoons tahini

    Instructions
     

    Falafel Dough

    • Soak dried chickpeas overnight; make sure you cover the chickpeas with at least twice the amount of water since the chickpeas absorb a lot of water.
    • Rinse and drain the chickpeas and transfer them to a food processor with a large blade.
    • Process on high until the chickpeas are ground up.
    • Then, add all the other ingredients.
    • Pulse until all ingredients are combined; you may need to scrape down the sides to ensure all ingredients are included.
    • Transfer the falafel dough to a bowl and cover it for at least one hour before forming the falafel balls.
    • Once chilled, remove the dough from the refrigerator and form individual falafel balls or ovals using your hands.
    • Place them on a baking sheet for air-frying.
    • Once all the similar-sized balls are formed, you are ready to cook in the air-fryer in batches.

    Air-Frying Falafel

    • Place a single layer of falafel balls in the base of the air-fry pan, making sure not to overlap the falafel pieces.
    • Cook at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, flipping over each falafel at 8 minutes and then cooking the other side for the remaining 7 minutes.
    • Remove air-fried falafel and place it on a cooking sheet and place it in a warm oven to keep warm.
    • Repeat the process for all the falafel until done.

    Video

    Notes

    • Do not over-pulse the falafel ingredients in the food processor. It should be chunky yet combined.
    • Allow the falafel dough to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour to make it easier to work with, and roll it into balls or oval shapes.
    • Consider using a cookie dough baller to make uniform shapes.
    • It's important to ensure the balls/ovals are the exact sizes so they cook quickly.
    • I suggest cooking the falafel first before freezing it.
    • If cooking frozen falafel, allow it to thaw completely before cooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 7gFat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 348mgFiber: 6gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 229IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 3mg
    Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

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      4.79 from 14 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kat

      April 08, 2022 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      I had boiled some chickpeas twice but they would not cook so I decided to make this recipe with them since you said your chickpeas were just soaked and since my chickpeas don’t want to get cooked I figured they would work out. The falafel‘s are delicious the only issue was mine didn’t stay together great once they were cooked but I liked the whole suggestion of the tomatoes lettuce pickles hummus which I did and I even took your advice about the fries though I might’ve got a little heavy on the seasoning they were cooked perfect with the six minute boil. I would definitely make these again.

      Reply
    2. Lucy Daniel

      January 12, 2021 at 1:10 pm

      That’s an amazing recipe, Kathy! And using an air fryer for falafel makes this dish even healthier. It cuts calories by almost 70%-80% and reduces the fat content in the dish. I am sure they taste as good as regular fried falafel.

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        January 12, 2021 at 2:29 pm

        Hi Lucy! Thank you so much for getting in touch. I love the air-fryer for the falafel. And make sure you use the dry chickpeas instead of the canned ones; it makes all the difference. I hope you enjoy the falafel. You should try the falafel burger too! Happy New Year!

        Reply
    3. Erin

      May 08, 2020 at 6:16 am

      I would love to try this recipe! If I am using canned beans, what is the equivalent amount?

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        May 08, 2020 at 9:38 am

        Hi Erin, unfortunately, canned chickpeas don't work as well. Cooked chickpeas are cooked, and the dried ones are only soaked. My experience with making canned chickpeas is mushy falafel. I hope this helps.

        Reply

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