Air Fryer Falafel
Deep-fried falafel is crunchy but heavy, and baked falafel is often dry. Air fryer falafel sits in the middle, with a crisp brown crust and a green, herby center, using only a spray of oil. This recipe shows how to make falafel in the air fryer from scratch, and it explains how to cook frozen falafel, falafel from a mix, and how to reheat leftovers.
- Temperature
- 375°F190 °C
- Total time
- 9:18hrs
- Prep time
- 20min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 235kcal
Why the air fryer works for falafel
Traditional falafel is deep fried, which crisps the outside quickly while the inside stays moist. The air fryer copies that effect with fast, dry heat and a thin layer of oil. The crust browns and hardens, and the center, made of raw chickpeas and herbs, steams slowly and turns fluffy.
The dough is the key. Falafel made from raw soaked chickpeas holds together and cooks to a fluffy, slightly crumbly center. Canned chickpeas are already cooked and full of water, so they turn into paste. If you buy frozen falafel or a boxed mix, the same temperature works, and only the time changes.
How to make falafel in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Soak Cover the dried chickpeas with 3 inches of cold water and soak for 8–12 hours or overnight. Drain them well. Do not use canned chickpeas, which make a wet paste that falls apart.
- Blend Pulse the soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, ground coriander and salt in a food processor until the mixture looks like coarse sand and holds together when pressed. Do not turn it into a smooth paste. Stir in the baking powder and flour.
- Chill and shape Refrigerate the mixture for . Scoop 2 tablespoons at a time and roll into 16 balls, or flatten into small patties about ¾ inch thick. Brush or spray all sides with the oil.
- Cook Preheat the air fryer to 375 °F for and lightly oil the basket. Place 8 falafel in a single layer without touching. Cook for , flipping carefully after , then repeat with the second batch.
- Check and serve The falafel should be deep golden brown and firm when pressed. Break one open to check that the center is dry, not pasty. Serve hot.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Falafel | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade falafel ballsFlip after 6 min | 375 °F (190 °C) | 12–14 min |
| Homemade patties | 375 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
| Frozen (pre-cooked)No thawing | 375 °F (190 °C) | 8–10 min |
| From a boxed mixSpray with oil | 375 °F (190 °C) | 12–14 min |
| Reheating leftovers | 350 °F (180 °C) | 3–5 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Chill the dough. Cold dough shapes more easily and holds together in the basket's moving air.
- Use fresh herbs. The green color and the flavor of falafel come from a large amount of parsley and cilantro, so do not skimp.
- Do not crowd the basket. Leave a little space around each ball so the hot air can reach all sides.
What to serve with falafel
Stuff falafel into warm pita with lettuce, tomato, pickled onions and tahini sauce, or serve a platter with hummus, cucumber salad and olives. For a lighter lunch, put them on a salad with roasted chickpeas. A side of roasted tomatoes also works well on a mezze plate.
Storing and reheating
Cooked falafel keeps for 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Reheat it in the air fryer at 350 °F for 3–5 minutes, never in the microwave, which makes the crust soft. The uncooked shaped balls can be frozen on a tray, then stored in a bag for 3 months and cooked from frozen at 375 °F for 14–16 minutes.
Variations
- Falafel patties: Flatten the balls into ¾-inch patties for sandwiches and burgers. They cook in 10–12 minutes.
- Spicy: Add 1 seeded jalapeño and ¼ tsp cayenne to the food processor.
- Sesame: Roll the balls in 2 tbsp sesame seeds before spraying for a nuttier crust.
- Gluten-free: Replace the flour with chickpea flour (the falafel is then also gluten-free).
If it does not turn out right
- The falafel fall apart
- The mixture was too wet or too smooth. Use soaked dried chickpeas, pulse until crumbly and chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping. If it still crumbles, add 1 more tablespoon of flour.
- The falafel are dry and dense
- The mixture was ground too fine or cooked too long. Keep it slightly coarse and take the falafel out as soon as they are deep golden.
- The outside is pale
- Too little oil or a cold basket. Spray all sides generously, and always preheat the air fryer.
Questions and answers
How long do you cook falafel in the air fryer?
Homemade falafel takes 12–14 minutes at 375 °F, flipped halfway. Frozen, pre-cooked falafel balls take 8–10 minutes at 375 °F straight from the freezer.
Can you cook falafel from a mix in the air fryer?
Yes. Prepare the mix as the package says, let it rest, shape it into balls, spray with oil and cook at 375 °F for 12–14 minutes. Mixes that make a wet batter do not work, only mixes that form a shapeable dough.
Can you use canned chickpeas for falafel?
They are not ideal, because they hold too much water. If you must, dry them thoroughly and add 3–4 tbsp flour, and expect a softer falafel that is easier to break.
Can you reheat falafel in the air fryer?
Yes, and it is the best way. Heat leftover falafel at 350 °F for 3–5 minutes until crisp on the outside and hot through.
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