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    Make It Skinny Please » Recipes » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Falafels

    Published: Jun 19, 2022 · Modified: Oct 5, 2022 by Toni Dash · 11 Comments

    Air Fryer Falafels

    Weight Watchers Points0
    Calories: 33kcal
    Carbs: 6g
    Protein: 2g
    Fats: 1g
    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    air fryer falafels in bowl.

    Crispy Air Fryer Falafel is a delicious mixture of chickpeas, fresh cilantro and parsley, lemon and spices cooked to a crispy outside with soft insides! Air Fryer Falafel has all the authentic ingredients of the traditional middle eastern food without the deep frying!

    air fryer falafels in bowl.

    This easy Air Fryer Falafel recipe takes a classic food and whips it up in a new way leaving the frying and oil behind. It's a great way to make the best falafel to enjoy with skinny tzatziki sauce in a pita bread, on the top of a salad or dipped in homemade hummus.

    Instead of the traditional way of deep frying using an air fryer turns this middle eastern dish into a healthy falafel recipe.

    Jump to:
    • What is falafel?
    • What makes this skinny?
    • Recipe Ingredients Notes
    • Canned Chickpeas versus Dried Chickpeas
    • How to make Air Fryer Falafels
    • How to serve
    • Expert Tips
    • How to Store
    • More recipes you'll love!
    • Recipe

    What is falafel?

    Falafels are a spiced chickpea fritters made with ground chickpeas, fresh herbs and spices that are usually cooked in a deep fryer. An authentic falafel recipe makes falafel patties the size of a golf ball which are usually served in warm pita bread. They are the best kind of middle eastern street food; full of exotic, fragrant flavors and protein from the chickpeas.

    What makes this skinny?

    No deep frying is the biggest calorie savings! The air fryer produces very similar results (crispy outside, soft inside) to deep frying but no fat calories are needed.

    Recipe Ingredients Notes

    air fryer falafels labelled ingredients.

    Chickpeas. Also called garbanzo beans. You can use 2 15-ounce canned chickpeas OR 1 ½ cups dried chickpeas which will need to soak for 18-24 hours before starting the recipe. Instructions for each are in the recipe steps details. More details about each in the section below.

    Yellow onion. Use a small onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces. They will be pulverized into the falafel mixture so rough cutting is fine.

    Italian Parsley and Cilantro. You'll need ¼ cup of each fresh herb. Rinsed, patted dry before starting the recipe.

    Canned Chickpeas versus Dried Chickpeas

    Using dried soaked chickpeas is definitely the authentic way to make a traditional falafel recipe. It's our favorite method too. Some people will tell you that you can't use canned chickpeas; that's not really true but there is a difference. Here is a comparison:

    Canned chickpeas

    • No soaking time; can make the falafels immediately (after the refrigeration of the falafel mixture)
    • The falafels are softer and more delicate to handle (this is probably the most significant consideration)
    • The exterior is not as rigid and crispy as with soaked chickpeas

    Dried Chickpeas

    • Must be soaked for 18-24 hours before making the mixture; so there is planning and a delay with using them
    • They are the traditional method
    • The exterior is crispy and more solid as with traditionally deep fried falafels

    We've included instructions for making the falafels either way and have tested both methods successfully.

    air fryer falafel in a salad.

    How to make Air Fryer Falafels

    STEP 1. For dried chickpeas

    Place the chickpeas and ½ teaspoon baking soda in a large mixing bowl covered with lots of cold water. Allow them to soak at room temperature for 18-24 hours.

    Drain, and place on paper towels to absorb excess moisture before starting.

    STEP 2. Make the falafel mixture

    In the bowl of a food processor combine the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, coriander, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper and lemon juice (photo 1). Pulse until the mixture forms a coarse paste – about 30 seconds (photo 2).

    Add the garbanzo beans (either soaked or canned) (photo 3) and pulse until they are pulverized and a coarse paste mixture forms (photo 4) – about 30 seconds. It should be smooth enough to hold together in a ball but not as smooth as hummus.

    air fryer falafels recipe steps 1-4.

    STEP 3. Chill

    Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 30-45 minutes.

    STEP 4. Cook

    Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F. When heated spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil spray.

    Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop or ice cream scoop, scoop falafel balls from the chilled falafel mixture and place in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between them (both for air circulation and to turn them midway) (photo 5). Spritz the tops with olive oil spray and return extra batter to the refrigerator.

    air fryer falafels recipe steps 5-6.

    Cook for 10 minutes, flip the falafels over (using tongs works great) and cook 5 additional minutes until the outside is crispy and they are cooked through (photo 6).

    Allow to sit for a few minutes before eating. Repeat for remaining falafel batter.

    How to serve

    • In a pita bread pocket with fresh vegetables for a sandwich
    • In a wrap
    • On salads
    • As an appetizer served with a dipping sauce
    air fryer falafel in bowl with bite.

    Expert Tips

    Dry the garbanzo beans. After soaking (if using dried) or draining (if using canned) lay the chickpeas out on a few layers of paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. This is important so the falafel batter isn't overly moist.

    Cook in batches. Leaving some room around the falafels is important both for hot air circulation to fully cook them but also to allow turning them over without damaging them. For a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer I cook 9 falafels at a time.

    Adding flour. Our recipe does not need flour however if your falafel batter is very wet and won't form patties or balls well, adding 1-2 tablespoons of chickpea flour can help. Often this happens if the chickpeas have not been dried before adding to the homemade falafel batter which creates too much moisture.

    Use fresh herbs. Usually dried herbs can be substituted into recipes instead of fresh herbs but this isn't recommended for these homemade falafels.

    Air Fryer variations. All air fryer brands and sizes cook slightly differently. Monitor cooking to adjust for your air fryer brand.

    How to Store

    Falafels are the best when freshly cooked however leftover falafel can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They will soften slightly.

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    • Greek Chicken Salad
    • Roasted Carnival Squash (Oven + Air Fryer methods)

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    Recipe

    Air Fryer Falafels

    Weight Watchers Points0
    Click to track Weight Watchers Points
    This classic Middle Eastern chickpea fritter is easy to make in an air fryer! Crispy exterior and soft interior without any deep frying. Great in a pita bread, on salads, as a dipping appetizer and more!
    5 from 57 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Middle Eastern
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 11 minutes
    Chilling Time (approximate): 45 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 1 minute
    Servings: 9 3-falafels servings (yield slightly less if using canned chickpeas)
    Calories: 33kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Ingredients

    • 1 small yellow onion cut into roughly 1” pieces
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • ¼ cup parsley leaves
    • ¼ cup cilantro leaves
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ lemon juiced
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Choose between canned or dry chickpeas below (choose one only)

    • 2 15-ounce cans garbanzo beans drained, rinsed and placed on paper towels to absorb excess moisture
    • 1 ½ cups dry garbanzo beans
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda only to be used with dry chickpeas

    Instructions

    Soak chickpeas (if using the dry chickpea option)

    • Add the 1 ½ cups dry chickpeas and ½ teaspoon baking soda to a large bowl. Cover with several cups of water. Allow to soak at room temperature for 18-24 hours until softened.
      NOTE: they will not be soft like canned chickpeas after soaking but will be able to be blended.
      Place on layers of paper towels to absorb excess moisture before proceeding with the recipe.

    Make the falafels (for canned chickpea and after soaking dry chickpeas)

    • In the bowl of a food processor, combine the onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, coriander, cumin, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pulse until the mixture is broken up into a coarse paste– about 30 seconds.
    • Add the garbanzo beans and pulse they are pulverized and a coarse paste mixture forms – about 30 seconds. It should be smooth enough to hold together in a ball but not as smooth as hummus.
    • Chill the mixture, covered, in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes.
    • Preheat air fryer to 370 degrees F.
    • Scoop out 1.5 tablespoon sized portions using a scoop. Or if measuring by hand gently shape into a ball.
    • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and add the falafel, making sure not to overcrowd the air fryer. Spray the top of the falafel with olive oil spray as well.
      NOTE: for the Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer I cook 9 falafels at a time so they have plenty of air circulation room between them. Keep the batter in the refrigerator while a batch is cooking.
    • Air fry at 370F for 10 minutes. Gently turn the falafels over and cook 5 additional minutes, or until the falafel is golden brown and crisp on the outside.
      Repeat for remaining falafel batter.
    • Remove from the air fryer and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes before serving (this allows them to firm up slightly). Serve immediately with your favorite additions– pita, hummus, salad, etc.

    Notes

    Air Fryer variations. All air fryer brands and sizes cook slightly differently. Monitor cooking to adjust for your air fryer brand.
    Dry the garbanzo beans. After soaking (if using dried) or draining (if using canned) lay the chickpeas out on a few layers of paper towel to absorb any excess moisture. This is important so the falafel batter isn't overly moist.
    Cook in batches. Leaving some room around the falafels is important both for hot air circulation to fully cook them but also to allow turning them over without damaging them. For a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer I cook 9 falafels at a time.
    Adding flour. Our recipe does not need flour however if your falafel batter is very wet and won't form patties or balls well, adding 1-2 tablespoons of chickpea flour can help. Often this happens if the chickpeas have not been dried before adding to the homemade falafel batter which creates too much moisture.
    How to Store
    Falafels are the best when freshly cooked however leftover falafel can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They will soften slightly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 63IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please share it!Mention @MakeItSkinnyPlease or tag #MakeItSkinnyPlease!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutritional Coach and certified Weight Loss Specialist, writer/blogger, photographer, chief recipe developer and creator of Make It Skinny Please. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her slimmed down recipes using real food ingredients bring excitement to the dining table and never taste like 'diet food'. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kim says

      June 23, 2022 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      These were so good. Made them for the son who is vegetarian and he loved them.

      Reply
    2. Donna says

      June 22, 2022 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      Such a great way to make falafel, loved the crispy edges!

      Reply
    3. Natasha says

      June 22, 2022 at 2:44 am

      5 stars
      I love my air fryer so I am always looking for new recipes to try. I'm glad I tried this because it's now our new favorite! So crispy and delicious, we loved it.

      Reply
    4. Barbara T says

      June 21, 2022 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      I will only make these using this recipe from now on! So much better than frying!

      Reply
    5. jess says

      June 21, 2022 at 10:15 am

      5 stars
      I have been loving falafel, and this is a dream recipe! I live for my air fryer!

      Reply
    6. Debbie T says

      June 20, 2022 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      Loved these! It was the first time making them and they were so easy!

      Reply
    7. Kathleen says

      June 20, 2022 at 7:53 am

      5 stars
      Love falafels and yours looks fabulous! Really like that they are air fried for that crispy outside and perfect soft and fluffy inside.

      Reply
    8. Dana says

      June 20, 2022 at 7:49 am

      5 stars
      I was so excited when I came across this recipe! I love falafel and I love trying new things in the air fryer. These turned out amaszing!

      Reply
    9. Kate says

      June 20, 2022 at 7:40 am

      5 stars
      The air fryer is such a brilliant way to cook really crispy falafels - these are packed with flavour and really moist, delicious!

      Reply
    10. Jess says

      June 20, 2022 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      I had no idea you could make these in the air fryer. Life-changing!

      Reply
    11. Nic says

      June 20, 2022 at 7:28 am

      5 stars
      I love falafel so much! This recipe is delicious and so so good and easy in the air fryer! Thanks, will make again!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I'm a Certified Nutrition Coach and NASM certified Weight Loss Specialist. I'm excited to share Classic Recipes made more calorie friendly using real food!

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