Easy Falafel Recipe (Air Fryer Or Oven)
Easy Falafel Recipe (Air Fryer or Oven) is a crispy, flavorful plant based dish made with chickpeas, fresh herbs, garlic, and warm spices. Perfect for wraps, salads, or mezze platters, this healthy homemade falafel is golden on the outside and fluffy inside.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (air fryer)
- Total Time: 35 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 35 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Category: Main Dish / Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer or Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 (15.5 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed, drained, and dried
1 small onion, quartered
4 garlic cloves
⅔ cup fresh parsley, chopped
⅓ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
½ 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
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Olive oil spray
Instructions
1. Blend Aromatics
Place onion and garlic in a food processor. Pulse a few times until roughly chopped.
2. Add Herbs & Spices
Add parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pulse until combined.
3. Add Chickpeas
Add chickpeas and pulse 2–3 times. Do not overprocess — the mixture should be textured, not smooth.
4. Add Flour
Add flour and pulse a few times until just combined. Alternatively, transfer mixture to a bowl and fold in flour with a spatula.
5. Chill
Transfer mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 2 hours (or freeze for 25 minutes) to firm up.
6. Add Baking Powder
Fold in baking powder just before shaping to create a fluffy interior.
7. Shape
Using a 2-tablespoon scoop, form mixture into 12 balls. Slightly flatten into discs for extra crispiness if desired.
Air Fryer Method
Spray air fryer basket with olive oil spray. Arrange falafel spaced apart and spray tops lightly.
Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through (after 8 minutes), until golden and crisp.
Oven Method
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil.
Place falafel on sheet, spray tops lightly, and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
Notes
Do not overblend — texture is key for authentic falafel.
For gluten-free, use chickpea flour or almond flour.
Serve in pita with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and tahini sauce.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Find it online: https://elladishes.com/easy-falafel-recipe-air-fryer-or-oven/
