Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

Air fryer falafel is a healthier version of falafel. It's made with similar ingredients and is just as delicious and crispy as traditional falafel.

What is falafel?

Falafel is Middle Eastern street food, that is made with chickpeas, garlic, spices, and herbs that are blended into a dough-like mixture that is formed into balls, or patties and then deep fried. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

When falafel is air fried, it is healthier and tastes just as delicious just like these avocado fries.

Why this Recipe Works

• It's made with canned chickpeas, which means less time soaking dried chickpeas.
• It's an easy flavorful meatless recipe for dinner, lunch or an appetizer.
• Air-fried falafel is healthier than fried falafel.

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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How to make this air fryer falafel recipe

Prepare 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, and squeeze the lemon juice.

Note: cook times can vary depending on your air fryer.

Ingredient notes & substitutions

The complete list of ingredients to make this recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.

Bulgur wheat adds a bit of crunch and texture to the falafel balls as well as holding the falafel balls together.

Bulgur wheat can be left out and replaced with ¼ cup more chickpeas for a gluten-free version.

Chickpeas - A traditional falafel recipe is made with dry chickpeas that have been soaked usually overnight. I use canned chickpeas when I make falafel because they are quicker and easier to use.

Canned chickpeas can be substituted with ¾ cup dried chickpeas covered with enough water and soak them overnight. Drain them the next day and make your falafel balls.

Fresh garlic can be substituted with ⅛ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove of garlic which would be ⅜ teaspoon in this recipe.

Fresh onion can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of onion powder.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Homemade air fryer falafel is an excellent make-ahead recipe. 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

Serve crispy falafel with tahini sauce tzatziki sauce or Greek yogurt in warm pita bread or a lettuce wrap topped with chopped fresh veggies

Air-fried falafel also tastes great on top of a salad like this arugula salad or on a plate with sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and hummus.

Storing and Using Leftovers

Falafel is versatile and perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch and use it over the next few days in salads or sandwiches.

Store leftover falafel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freeze leftover falafel: place the cooked falafel balls onto a baking sheet in a single layer and place it into the freezer. Once they are frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer container.

Re-heat them in the oven or in the microwave. If you are using frozen falafel, they do not need to be thawed before reheating.

Recipe Tips

• Use an ice cream scoop or cookie scoop to form the falafel balls.
• If you are in a hurry, place the dough in the freezer for 10 minutes instead of the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
• Add a pinch of baking soda to the falafel to make the falafel balls fluffy and light.

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• Sun Dried Tomato Hummus
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• Classic Hummus

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