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Air Fryer Falafel Balls

Air Fryer Falafel Balls
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These Air Fryer Falafel Balls deliver a crispy, flavorful, and healthy snack or appetizer that’s quick to prepare. Made with wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, fresh herbs, and warming spices, they offer a perfect balance of texture and taste without the oil-heavy mess of deep frying. Ready in under 30 minutes, this versatile recipe is customizable, gluten-free, and ideal for snacks, meals, or party gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and dried
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 tbsp flour or chickpea flour
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
  • Olive oil spray, for air fryer basket

Optional Variations

  • Flour substitution: chickpea flour or rice flour for gluten-free option
  • Spices: chili flakes or 1 fresh jalapeño, chopped for heat
  • Herbs: dill or mint instead of parsley and cilantro
  • Veggies: 1/4 cup grated carrots or finely chopped spinach

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chickpeas: Drain and rinse chickpeas thoroughly (or soak and cook dried chickpeas until soft). Pat completely dry with a kitchen towel to remove excess moisture for a smooth blend.
  2. Blend the Ingredients: In a food processor, combine chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, baking powder, flour, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until mixture holds together but remains a bit coarse; avoid over-processing to keep texture.
  3. Shape the Falafel Balls: Lightly wet your hands to prevent sticking and form the mixture into small balls or flattened patties approximately 1.5 inches in diameter for even cooking.
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and preheat for 3-5 minutes to ensure even crisping from the start.
  5. Cook the Falafel: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place falafel balls in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Carefully remove falafel from air fryer. Let cool 1-2 minutes to lock in crispiness and prevent burning fingers before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure chickpeas are thoroughly dried before blending to avoid soggy falafel.
  • Do not over-process mixture; keep some texture for authentic falafel bite.
  • Use fresh parsley and cilantro for vibrant, bright flavor.
  • Light olive oil spray helps achieve a crispy finish without excess oil.
  • Adjust time and temperature according to your air fryer model for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: falafel, air fryer, chickpeas, gluten free, healthy snack, appetizer, Middle Eastern, vegan

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/air-fryer-falafel-balls/