To make falafel in an air fryer, pulse 1 cup of dried chickpeas (soaked overnight, not canned) with onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin and coriander, stir in chickpea flour and baking powder, shape 16 patties, roll the tops in sesame seeds, brush with oil and air fry at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway, until deep golden. They take about 29 minutes after soaking and come to roughly 260 calories, 11 g protein and 7 g fiber per serving.
1 cup (200 g) dried chickpeas, soaked in plenty of cold water for 12 to 24 hours, then drained and patted dry (do not use canned)
1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne or red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp fine salt
2 tbsp chickpea flour (or all-purpose flour)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp olive oil (brushed or misted on)
To serve: lemon tahini sauce (2 tbsp tahini, juice of 1/2 lemon, 3 to 4 tbsp water, pinch of salt), arugula or chopped salad and warm whole-wheat pita
How Do You Make Falafel in an Air Fryer?
Soak: Soak the dried chickpeas in a large bowl of cold water for 12 to 24 hours. They will double in size. Drain and pat them very dry with a towel.
Blend: Pulse the chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, cayenne and salt in a food processor, scraping down the sides, until the mixture looks like coarse sand and holds together when squeezed. Do not puree it smooth.
Bind and rest: Stir in the chickpea flour and baking powder. Cover and chill for 15 minutes so the mixture firms up and is easier to shape.
Shape: Scoop 2 tablespoons per falafel and press into 16 small patties about 1 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch thick. Dip the tops in the sesame seeds.
Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for about 3 minutes and lightly oil the crisper plates.
Air fry: Arrange the falafel in a single layer, splitting them between both baskets, and brush or mist the tops with the olive oil. Air fry at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping and brushing the other side halfway, until deep golden brown and crisp.
Serve: Rest 2 minutes so the centers set, then serve on arugula or in warm pita with the lemon tahini sauce.
Dual basket tip: Press Match Cook and split all 16 falafel between both baskets so the whole batch is done in one 14-minute round at 375°F. Or put falafel in basket 1 and cherry tomatoes and sliced red onion in basket 2 (375°F, 8 minutes) and use Sync Finish so both are ready together.
New pick: OLIXIS 9.5-Qt Dual BasketTwo zones let you cook this in one and a second dish in the other, then finish both together.
How Many Calories Are in Air Fryer Falafel? (Estimated)
Per serving (4 falafel, without sauce or pita): about 260 calories, 7.5 g fat (1 g saturated), 36 g carbohydrate, 7 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 11 g protein and about 620 mg sodium. These are estimates calculated from standard USDA values for dried chickpeas, chickpea flour, onion, herbs, sesame seeds and olive oil. The lemon tahini sauce adds about 45 calories per serving.
Bowl: pile the falafel over quinoa or brown rice with cucumber, tomato, pickled onion and hummus
What Are Some Flavor Variations?
Spicy: add 1 seeded jalapeno to the food processor and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Extra green: add a big handful of baby spinach with the herbs
Sweet potato falafel: swap 1/2 cup of the chickpeas for 1/2 cup mashed roasted sweet potato and add 1 more tbsp chickpea flour
Snack bites: roll 1-inch balls and air fry 9 to 10 minutes for party appetizers
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook falafel in the air fryer?
Air fry homemade falafel at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway, until both sides are deep golden brown. Smaller balls can be done in 10 minutes.
Can you make air fryer falafel with canned chickpeas?
Not for this recipe. Canned chickpeas are already cooked and too wet, so the falafel turn mushy and fall apart. Soaked dried chickpeas give the classic crisp outside and fluffy green center.
Why does my falafel fall apart in the air fryer?
The mixture is too wet or too smooth. Pat the soaked chickpeas dry, pulse only to a coarse sand texture, add the chickpea flour and chill for 15 minutes before shaping.
Is air fryer falafel healthy?
Yes. We estimate about 260 calories, 11 g protein, 7 g fiber and 7.5 g fat per serving of 4 falafel, using 1 tbsp of oil for the whole batch instead of deep frying. These are estimates.
Is falafel vegan and gluten free?
This falafel is vegan. It is gluten free when you use chickpea flour and serve it without regular pita.
Can you freeze falafel?
Yes. Freeze shaped, uncooked falafel on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Air fry from frozen at 375°F for 15 to 17 minutes, flipping halfway.
