Easy Falafel Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I Love How Simple And Wholesome These Falafel Are. The Fresh Parsley, Cilantro, Garlic, And Spices Create Bold Flavor Without Complicated Steps.

I Also Appreciate That I Can Air Fry Or Bake Them Instead Of Frying In Oil. The Result Is Crispy On The Outside, Tender On The Inside, And Much Lighter Than Traditional Versions.

Ingredients

(Here’s A Tip: Check Out The Full List Of Ingredients And Measurements In The Recipe Card Below.)

1 (15.5 Oz) Can Chickpeas, Rinsed, Drained, And Dried
1 Small Onion, Quartered
4 Garlic Cloves
2/3 Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
1/3 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
1/2 Cup All-Purpose Flour (Or Chickpea Flour Or Almond Flour)
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
1 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
Olive Oil Spray

Directions

1. I Place The Onion And Garlic In A Food Processor And Pulse A Few Times Until Roughly Chopped.

2. I Add The Parsley, Cilantro, Cumin, Coriander, Salt, Black Pepper, And Red Pepper Flakes, Then Pulse Until Combined.

3. I Add The Chickpeas And Pulse Just 2 To 3 Times. I Make Sure Not To Overprocess, As I Want The Chickpeas Roughly Chopped, Not Pureed.

4. I Add The Flour And Pulse A Few More Times Until Just Combined. Sometimes I Transfer The Mixture To A Bowl And Fold In The Flour By Hand.

5. I Transfer The Mixture To A Bowl, Cover It, And Refrigerate For About 2 Hours Or Freeze For 25 Minutes To Firm Up.

6. After Chilling, I Fold In The Baking Powder To Help Make The Falafel Light And Fluffy Inside.

7. I Scoop The Mixture Into 12 Portions And Roll Them Into Balls Or Slightly Flattened Discs For Extra Crispiness.

8. I Spray The Air Fryer Basket With Olive Oil Spray And Arrange The Falafel Inside, Leaving Space Between Them. I Lightly Spray The Tops With More Olive Oil Spray.

9. I Air Fry At 350°F For 15 Minutes, Flipping Once After About 8 Minutes, Until Golden And Crisp.

Oven Method:
If I Prefer To Bake Them, I Place The Falafel On A Lined Baking Sheet, Lightly Spray With Olive Oil, And Bake At 375°F For 20–25 Minutes, Flipping Halfway Through.

Servings And Timing

This Recipe Makes 12 Falafel, Serving About 12 Portions Depending On How I Serve Them.

I Spend About 10 Minutes Preparing The Mixture, 2 Hours Chilling (Or 25 Minutes Freezing), And 15–25 Minutes Cooking, For A Total Active Time Of Around 35 Minutes Plus Chilling.

Variations

I Sometimes Add A Tablespoon Of Tahini To The Mixture For Extra Richness. If I Want More Heat, I Increase The Red Pepper Flakes Or Add A Small Piece Of Jalapeno.

For A Gluten-Free Option, I Use Chickpea Flour Or Almond Flour Instead Of All-Purpose Flour.

Storage/Reheating

I Store Cooked Falafel In An Airtight Container In The Refrigerator For Up To 4 Days.

To Reheat, I Use The Air Fryer Or Oven At 350°F Until Warm And Crisp Again. I Avoid Microwaving If I Want To Keep The Exterior Crispy.

I Also Freeze Uncooked Falafel Balls On A Tray, Then Transfer Them To A Freezer Bag For Up To 2 Months. I Cook Them Straight From Frozen, Adding A Few Extra Minutes To The Cooking Time.

FAQs

Why Should I Avoid Overprocessing The Chickpeas?

If I Overprocess, The Mixture Becomes Too Smooth And Dense. I Prefer A Slightly Chunky Texture For The Best Results.

Can I Use Dried Chickpeas Instead Of Canned?

Yes, I Soak And Cook Dried Chickpeas First Before Using Them In The Recipe.

Why Do I Add Baking Powder At The End?

Adding Baking Powder After Chilling Helps Make The Falafel Lighter And Fluffier Inside.

Can I Pan Fry These Instead?

Yes, I Cook Them In A Skillet With A Thin Layer Of Oil Over Medium Heat Until Golden On Both Sides.

How Do I Serve Falafel?

I Like Serving Them In Pita Bread With Lettuce And Sauce, In Grain Bowls, Or On Top Of Salads.

Conclusion

I Find This Easy Falafel Recipe To Be A Flavorful And Versatile Option For Any Meal. The Crispy Outside And Tender, Herb-Filled Inside Make Them Completely Satisfying Without Deep Frying. Whenever I Want A Simple Plant-Based Dish That Is Both Healthy And Delicious, This Is One Of My Favorite Recipes To Make.

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