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Crispy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

A pile of golden brown, crispy air fryer falafel in a light ceramic bowl, one broken open showing the green interior.
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Follow this straightforward recipe to make perfectly crispy falafel in your air fryer, achieving a crunchy exterior and a tender interior.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and thoroughly dried
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, packed
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
  • 1/2 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or chickpea flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Cooking spray (for air fryer basket)

Instructions

  1. Place the rinsed and dried chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper into a food processor.
  2. Pulse the mixture until it forms a coarse, crumbly texture. Do not over-process; you want texture, not a smooth paste.
  3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Stir in the flour and baking powder until just combined.
  4. Cover the bowl and chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the falafel hold its shape.
  5. Shape the mixture into small patties or balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get about 12 to 14 falafel.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
  7. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  8. Arrange the falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. Work in batches if necessary.
  9. Lightly spray the tops of the falafel with cooking spray.
  10. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. For extra crispiness, spray the second side lightly with cooking spray before the second half of cooking.
  11. The falafel are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Notes

  • Drying the chickpeas well is the most important step for crispiness. Pat them completely dry with paper towels after rinsing.
  • Do not skip the chilling step; it prevents the falafel from falling apart during cooking.
  • For the best texture, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
  • Serve immediately with tahini sauce, wrapped in pita bread, or over a salad.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://eatableempress.com/crispy-air-fryer-falafel-recipe/