Description
Crispy, flavorful, and guilt-free Air Fryer Falafel Balls with a golden exterior and tender, herb-packed center. This vegan-friendly recipe is quick to prepare, uses wholesome ingredients, and offers a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried falafel, perfect as a snack, meal addition, or versatile dish for wraps and salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight, drained)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 small onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2–3 tablespoons flour or chickpea flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Variations
- Pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes (for spicy twist)
- Dill or mint (as herb substitute for cilantro)
- Chickpea or rice flour (for gluten-free option)
- 1–2 tablespoons nutritional yeast or finely grated vegan cheese (for cheesy flavor)
- 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato (for sweet potato variation)
Instructions
- Soak and Prepare Chickpeas: Start by soaking dried chickpeas overnight until they’re plump and soft. Drain them well but do not cook, as raw soaked chickpeas are essential for the right texture in falafel.
- Blend the Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, fresh parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Pulse the mixture until you get a coarse, sand-like texture—don’t overblend or it will become paste-like.
- Add the Binding Agents: Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the baking powder and flour. This step ensures your falafel balls won’t fall apart and stay light and fluffy inside. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes to absorb flavors and bind properly.
- Form the Falafel Balls: Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, form small balls (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter). Make sure they’re compact but not overly squished to keep a nice texture once cooked.
- Air Fry to Crispy Perfection: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the falafel balls with a light mist of oil for extra crispiness. Arrange them in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t touch. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crunchy on the outside.
Notes
- Don’t use canned chickpeas: Soaked dried chickpeas give better texture and help falafel hold together.
- Keep the mixture coarse: Avoid over processing in the food processor to maintain the right crumbly texture.
- Rest the batter: Let the mixture sit before shaping to improve binding and flavor melding.
- Avoid overcrowding: Give falafel balls enough space in the air fryer basket for even cooking and crispiness.
- Lightly oil before air frying: This helps achieve that irresistible golden exterior without deep frying.
- Serve fresh: Enjoy falafel right out of the air fryer for optimal crunch and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 falafel balls
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: falafel, air fryer, vegan snack, healthy appetizer, gluten free falafel, Middle Eastern, crispy falafel