These air-fried falafel are perfectly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with flavor, minus the excess oil.

What is Falafel?

Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, blended with herbs and spices, then deep-fried to perfection. Traditionally, falafel is known for its irresistibly crispy crust and soft, flavorful interior. However, deep-frying can make them greasy and calorie-dense.

This recipe uses an air fryer to achieve a similar crunchy texture while using significantly less oil. The result? A healthier, non-fried snack that’s perfect for iftar, giving you all the taste without the heaviness!#

This air-fried falafel recipe is a game-changer for Ramadan! It’s light, crispy, nutritious, and so easy to make. Whether you enjoy them fresh or from the freezer, they’re a perfect addition to your iftar spread.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Crispy and flavorful without deep-frying
✅ Uses wholesome ingredients
✅ Perfect for meal prep—freeze and fry later!
✅ High in protein and fiber, keeping you full longer

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Ingredients Needed

• 500g dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 30g (1/2 cup) fresh parsley
• 25g (1/3 cup) fresh coriander
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green chili (optional, for spice)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 2 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoon salt
• 60g (1/2 cup) flour
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (for air frying)

The mentioned quantities make a big batch (about 25 falafel). You can reduce the ingredients by half to make a smaller batch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Chickpeas – Soak dried chickpeas overnight. Drain and pat them dry. Avoid using canned chickpeas, as they make the mixture too soft.

2️⃣ Blend in Stages – In a food processor, blend chickpeas with salt into a coarse mixture. Remove half and set aside.

3️⃣ Add Herbs & Spices – To the remaining mixture, add parsley, coriander, onion, green chili, and spices. Blend until smooth.

4️⃣ Combine & Form – Mix the smooth and coarse mixtures by hand. Gradually add the flour until the mixture binds together. This gives the falafel the perfect texture! Form into small disks.

5️⃣ Freeze or Cook – At this point, you can freeze the falafels for later (freezing instructions below) or proceed to air-fry them immediately.

6️⃣ Air Fry to Perfection – Lightly grease the falafels with olive oil and air-fry at 200 °C (400°F) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

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How to Serve Air-Fried Falafel

• With Garlic-Tahini Sauce – Mix tahini, garlic, lemon juice, cumin powder, salt and a little water for a creamy dip.
• On a Hummus Platter – Spread hummus on a plate, drizzle olive oil, top with pomegranate seeds and chopped parsley, and arrange falafels on top.
• Stuffed in a Pita – Add lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and a drizzle of yogurt or tahini sauce.

Do’s and Don’ts for the Perfect Falafel

✔️ Do’s:
✅ Use dried chickpeas soaked overnight—canned chickpeas will ruin the texture.
✅ Blend in two stages to get the best consistency.
✅ Lightly brush with oil before air-frying for extra crispiness.

❌ Don’ts:
🚫 Don’t over-process—keeping some texture gives the best bite.
🚫 Don’t skip the baking powder—it helps make the falafel light and airy.
🚫 Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—give them space for even cooking.

Freezing & Reheating Instructions

• To freeze: Place uncooked falafels on a tray in a single layer and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or ziplock bag. They last up to 3 months!
• To cook from frozen: Air fry directly at 190°C (375°F) for 25-30 minutes, flipping once in between. No need to thaw!