Last Updated on October 3, 2020 by Ashley Ward
Falafel is a popular street food eaten throughout the Middle East. It is inexpensive and super high in protein. Falafels are deep-fried patties made from smashed chickpeas, herbs, and spices. This healthy Air Fryer Falafel recipe is so crispy you will not believe that it is not deep-fried! Falafel is usually stuffed in a pita or tossed on a salad and served with veggies, top with hummus or tahini sauce.
Making falafel at home may sound complicated, but it is surprisingly easy to whip up some crispy and flavourful falafel with the air fryer. Making falafel in the air fryer is practically foolproof. You just need to combine all your ingredients in a food processor, form into patties and cook with the air fryer.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Falafel
In a food processor, add the chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, garlic, shallot, flour, sesame seeds, cumin, paprika, lemon, and salt. Blend until it comes together in a rough paste. It shouldn’t be completely smooth.
Next, place the mixture in a bowl and keep it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Once the mixture is chilled, form the falafel into 12 balls.
Spray the air fryer basket with some nonstick olive oil. Preheat the air fryer to 350 F. Place the falafel balls into the air fryer basket. Spritz the falafel balls with olive oil spray. Air fry the falafel for 15 minutes, turning halfway through until lightly browned.
Once cooked, serve the crispy Air Fryer Falafels with salad top with hummus or tahini sauce.
How to Make Tahini Sauce
In a medium bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and water together and whisk until they create a luscious, smooth sauce.
When you first add the water and lemon juice to the tahini, it will thicken up. Continue whisking for a minute or so. Add some water to make it thinner when required. Slowly add the water and continue whisking until it reaches your desired consistency.
If you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon. If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey. And if the flavor is too sharp, mellow it with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon olive oil.
These easy Air Fryer Falafels are deliciously crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Perfect for serving up as snacks, appetizers, or as a satisfying meal.
Air Fryer Falafel
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Falafel:
- 1 can Chickpeas rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup Cilantro
- 2 clove Garlic
- 1 Large shallot chopped
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Sesame seeds
- 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 Lemon juice only
- 1 tsp Salt
- Spray olive oil for cooking
Tahini Sauce:
- 1/2 cup Tahini
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 Lemon juice only
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 cup Hot water
Instructions
Falafel:
- In a food processor, add the chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, garlic, shallot, flour, sesame seeds, cumin, paprika, lemon, and salt.
- Blend until it comes together in a rough paste. It shouldn’t be completely smooth.
- Place the mixture in a bowl and keep it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Once the mixture is chilled, form the falafel into 12 balls.
- Spray the air fryer basket with some nonstick olive oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 F.
- Place the falafel balls into the air fryer basket. Spritz the falafel balls with olive oil spray.
- Air fry the falafel for 15 minutes, turning halfway through until lightly browned.
- Once cooked, serve the crispy Air Fryer Falafels with salad top with hummus or tahini sauce.
Tahini Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and water together and whisk until they create a luscious, smooth sauce.
- When you first add the water and lemon juice to the tahini, it will thicken up.
- Continue whisking for a minute or so. Add some water to make it thinner when required.
- Slowly add the water and continue whisking until it reaches your desired consistency.
- f you prefer a brighter sauce, add more lemon. If it is too bitter, stir in 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey. And if the flavor is too sharp, mellow it with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon olive oil.
It is my utmost desire that this blog will become a go-to destination for anyone who wishes to use their air fryer more frequently or explore new recipes.
I also trust that my review of the latest air fryer will guide those who are considering purchasing one in making a sensible decision.
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