This easy falafel recipe is made in the air fryer for a quicker and healthier version of falafel. If you don’t have an air fryer, I have included oven instructions too.
Traditional falafel is made with dried chickpeas that are soaked, usually overnight. I use canned and drained chickpeas which saves hours of time and the falafel is just as crispy and delicious as the traditional version, and it takes about an hour to make them.
Air fried falafel balls are fresh and zesty and are so easy to make!
Why this Recipe Works
- It’s made with canned chickpeas, which means less time soaking dried chickpeas.
- It’s an easy meatless recipe for dinner, lunch or an appetizer.
Here is What You Will Need
This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe, scroll down to see ingredient notes and substitutions as well as a printable recipe card with exact measurements and complete cooking instructions.
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Ingredients
- water
- bulgur wheat
- olive oil
- red or white onion
- fresh garlic
- crushed chili pepper flakes
- cumin
- canned chickpeas
- fresh lemon juice
- cilantro
- parsley
Here is How To Make Air Fried Falafel
Preare the ingredients: Add the bulgur wheat to boiling water, remove it from the heat and cover it with a lid and set it aside for 15 minutes. Chop the onions and garlic, measure the spices, drain and rinse the chickpeas, squeeze the lemon juice.
Step 1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium to high heat. Add the onions and garlic to the heated pan and cook them for a few minutes until they become translucent. Stir in the spices and turn the heat off and allow the mixture to cool off for a few minutes.
Step 2. Add the bulgur, onion/garlic, cilantro, parsley, and drained chickpeas to a food processor.
Step 3. Blend the ingredients together into a grainy mixture. Place the mixture into the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes which will make it easy to form the “dough” into balls.
TIP! If you are in a hurry, place the dough into the freezer for 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 4. Roll the falafel mixture into balls that are approximately 2 inches in size and place them on the tray of an air-fryer. Brush them with oil, place them into the air-fryer.
Tip! Use an ice cream scoop to form the falafel balls.
Step 5. Bake the falafel balls at 400 until they turn golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Tip! To make the falafel in the oven, place the falafel balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet that is coated with oil and bake them in a preheated 415-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Total Estimated Time to Make This Recipe: 5 to 10 Minutes
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Bulgur wheat adds a bit of crunch and texture to the falafel balls. It also helps to keep the falafel from becoming too soft.
Bulgur wheat can be left out, and adding ¼ cup more chickpeas. Please note that the texture will be softer.
Canned chickpeas are quicker and easier to use in this recipe, and they can be substituted with dried ones.
Dried chickpeas can be substituted with canned chickpeas, here’s how:
- Place ¾ cup of dried chickpeas into a bowl or measuring cup large enough for them to expand. Add enough water to cover them and allow them to soak overnight.
- Drain the chickpeas and proceed with the recipe instructions.
Garlic can be substituted with ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove of garlic which would be ⅜ teaspoon in this recipe.
Onion can be replaced with 1 tablespoon onion powder.
Make-Ahead Instructions
These are perfect for meal prepping ahead of time. The “dough” can be mixed together and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days before cooking. When it’s time to serve them, form the dough mixture into balls and cook them.
Serving Suggestions
Falafel is versatile and perfect for meal prepping. Make extra and use them up during the week for lunch and dinner. Here are some serving suggestions:
Spread tahini sauce in a pita , add falafel and chopped fresh veggies.
Dip them in Greek yogurt for a sanck.
Served on top of fresh greens that have been dressed in olive oil and lemon juice.
Try them smashed in a lettuce wrap (Boston or Butter lettuce works well for this and top them with chopped cucmbers and tomatoes).
Air fried falafel also tastes great in a simple salad like this arugula salad or on a plate with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and hummus.
Storing and Using Leftovers
Store leftover falafel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Re-heat them in the oven or on top of the stove.
Leftover suggestions, see serving suggestions above.
Freeze leftover falafel: place the cooked falafel balls onto a baking sheet and into the freezer. Once they are frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer container.
Re-heat them on the oven or in the microwave,they do not need to be thawed before reheating.
You Might Also Like These Mediterranean Recipes
- Sun Dried Tomato Hummus
- Mediterranean Cauliflower Rice Bowls
- Mediterranean Chicken Breasts in the Slow Cooker
- Spinach Feta Turkey Burgers
- Classic Hummus
Easy Falafel (Air Fryer & Oven)
This easy falafel recipe is full of zesty and fresh flavors. It's vegan and made in the air fryer with an oven option.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- ½ cup bulgur wheat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil plus approximately 1 ½ teaspoons for brushing on falafel
- 1 medium red onion minced
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- ¼ teaspoon crushed crushed red chili flakes
- 1 ¼ teaspoons cumin
- 1 ½ cups canned and drained chickpeas
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ cup packed cilantro, chopped roughly
- ⅛ cup packed fresh parsley, chopped roughly
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil and remove it from the heat. Pour the bulgur into the water and cover it with a lid. Allow the bulgur to sit for at least 15 minutes until it softens.
- Prepare the ingredients: chop the onions, garlic and herbs. Set them aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small pan add the onion and garlic and sautee them until they become translucent.
- Stir in the spices (1 teaspoon ground cumin, and ¼ teaspoon chili flakes) and turn the heat off.
- Place the chickpeas, onions, garlic, lemon juice and spice mixture into the bowl of a food processor along with the parsley and cilantro.
- Blend in the food processor until all of the ingredients are mixed together, the mixture will be grainy.
- Place the mixture into the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes which will make the dough easier to form into balls.
- Use an ice cream scoop to shape the dough mixture into 2 inch balls and place them on the rack of the air fryer or the cooling rack (for oven method).
- Use a pastry brush to the falalfel balls with oil.
- Set the air fryer to 400 and bake 15 minutes.
- For the oven bake place the cooling rack on top of a baking sheet and place into a 415 degree pre-heated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until they turn golden on the outside.
Notes
- Dried chickpeas can be used in place of canned. Here's how: Place ¾ cup of dried chickpeas into a bowl or measuring cup. Add enough water to cover them and allow them to soak overnight.
- Fresh garlic and onions can be replaced with ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder per clove of garlic. The onion can be replaced with 1 tablespoon onion powder for medium chopped onion.
- Bulgur wheat adds a bit of crunch to the falafel balls, it can be left out of the recipe and replaced with ¼ cup more of chickpeas.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 3 ballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 141Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 15mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 5g
Nutrition information is provided by an online calculator and is meant to be used for informational purposes only. Even though I try to provide accurate information, these figures should still be considered as estimates.
I’m always looking to new air fryer recipes.
I hope you enjoy this one!
Even more reason for me to get an air fryer now! I get a bit freaked out about all the oil I have to use to make falafels. This is a great way to do it!
I’m really happy to see this recipe because I love to make falafel but I don’t like the frying part. This is an incredible idea! Thank you!
I’ve been wanting to make air fryer falafels and this is perfect. Light and airy, so delicious!
These definitely have me tempted to get an air fryer as frying falafel is always something that makes me a little nervous between the hot oil and possibility they break up, but nice to get that crispness.
I really need to get an air fryer! My friend made this recipe for me, and it is SO GOOD! Thanks for sharing!
I never remember to soak the chickpeas so having this canned option is awesome.
I keep meaning to make these. My daughter is a fan (and so am I). Thanks for the recipe and technique!