Air Fryer Falafel

Craving crispy falafel but don’t feel like lugging out a big pot of oil? Use your air fryer! This air fryer recipe takes fluffy, herbaceous chickpea balls and transforms them into golden, perfectly tender falafel with half the effort. While the falafel gets crisped up in the air fryer, simply toast some pita, slice a couple of tomatoes, and shred a pile of lettuce for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. Be sure to make plenty of the tangy tahini yogurt sauce—it compliments this vegetarian dish perfectly!

What is in falafel?

In the United States, falafel is most commonly made with chickpeas. Other regions in the Middle East use fava beans or a combination of both fava beans and chickpeas. The beans are usually flavored with parsley, garlic, and cumin, but this recipe also uses fresh cilantro, onion, and ground cayenne for a refreshing kick. Baking powder or baking soda is another common ingredient in falafel, helping achieve a light and fluffy texture. Sesame seeds might seem like an unusual addition, but they add a subtle nutty flavor and satisfying crunch to air fryer falafel.

Can you use dried chickpeas for falafel?

Many falafel purists use dried chickpeas that have been soaked overnight; however, this quick meal is made even simpler by the convenience of canned chickpeas. While they tend to hold more liquid than their dried counterparts, canned chickpeas still give the falafel fantastic texture. A little bit of flour counteracts any wetness in the falafel dough for easy rolling. If you prefer to use dried chickpeas, add 2 cups of chickpeas to a large bowl. Add enough water to the bowl so that the chickpeas are covered by at least 2 inches. Allow the chickpeas to soak overnight before draining and proceeding with the recipe.