The Best Air Fryer Falafel Recipe for Perfect Crunch

I still remember the first time I bit into a falafel sandwich at a little street stand in Beirut as a kitchen apprentice. That crunch, the herby-green interior, the warm soft pita — and then the tell‑tale oily greasiness as I kept eating. Good? Yes. Guilt‑inducing? Also yes. That memory is exactly why this Air Fryer Falafel Recipe exists — to give you that same delicious bite without the oil overload.

Here’s the promise: you can get that same wonderful texture with minimal oil, maximum flavor by using your air fryer. This is the ultimate healthy falafel recipe, a vegan falafel in air fryer version that keeps the plant‑based protein punch, cuts out the fryer mess, and gives you the crunchy exterior you crave. Think homemade falafel recipe, think falafel in air fryer done right.

By the end, you’ll know how to make air fried falafel balls, produce a crispy falafel without frying, serve up a gluten‑free falafel option, and understand falafel cooking time so nothing goes wrong. Let’s cook.

Ingredients for Vegan Falafel in Air Fryer

Core Ingredients for Homemade Falafel Recipe

• Dried chickpeas (soaked)
  
• Onion, garlic
  
• Parsley or cilantro (or both)
  
• Cumin, coriander, salt & pepper
  
• Baking powder
  
• Olive oil or spray
  

Substitutions for Gluten-Free Falafel

• Use black beans (or a mix)
  
• Add tahini (ground sesame paste)
  
• Gluten‑free option: substitute chickpea flour or rice flour
  

Quick Falafel Cooking Time Overview

Preparation time (excluding soaking): around 15 minutes for chopping, processing, and forming.

Cooking time in the air fryer: about 15 minutes at 375 °F (190 °C).

Total active time (excluding soaking): approximately 30 minutes.

Compared to traditional frying, the air fryer method saves you time, oil, and clean-up.

How to Make Falafel at Home: Step-by-Step Guide

Soaking Chickpeas for Air Fried Falafel Balls

• Measure your dried chickpeas and cover them in plenty of cold water.
  
• Soak for 8–24 hours. Drain and pat dry.
  

Preparing the Mixture for Crispy Falafel Without Frying

• Add onion, garlic, parsley/cilantro, chickpeas, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper to a food processor.
  
• Pulse until the texture is coarse. Add baking powder and binder. Chill the mixture for 30–60 minutes.
  

Forming and Shaping Your Oil-Free Falafel Recipe

• Shape into 2-tablespoon balls or discs.
  
• If too wet, add flour.
  

Preheating Air Fryer for Middle Eastern Air Fryer Recipes

• Preheat to 375 °F (190 °C).
  
• Spray basket lightly with oil.
  

Cooking and Crisping Falafel in Air Fryer

• Arrange falafel with space in the basket. Spray tops lightly with oil.
  
• Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway. For extra crispness, increase the temperature during the last 2–3 minutes.
  

Serving Suggestions for Best Air Fryer Falafel

• Serve hot in pita, salad, or with dips like hummus or tahini.
  

Nutrition Facts for No Oil Falafel

Calories: approximately 120
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Fiber: 4 g

Healthier Alternatives to Traditional Falafel

• Swap chickpeas for lentils
  
• Nut-free? Skip tahini and use lemon juice
  
• Add spinach or kale for extra nutrition
  
• Use chickpea flour to keep it gluten-free
  

Delicious Ways to Serve Vegan Falafel in Air Fryer

• Make a falafel wrap in pita with fresh veggies
  
• Create a salad bowl with grains and fresh produce
  
• Serve on a snack platter with assorted dips
  
• Add spices like paprika, chili flakes, or za’atar for extra flavor
  

Common Mistakes When Making Falafel in Air Fryer

• Overcrowding the air fryer, which causes steaming instead of crisping
  
• Mixture too wet (fix with chickpea flour)
  
• Skipping the chickpea soaking step
  
• Not flipping the falafel or skipping the oil spray
  
• Using canned chickpeas without adjusting moisture and binder
  

How to Store and Reheat Air Fried Falafel Balls

• Refrigerate cooked falafel for up to 3 days
  
• Freeze uncooked falafel for up to 3 months
  
• Reheat in the air fryer for a crisp texture
  

Conclusion: Why This Is the Best Air Fryer Falafel

You now have the full roadmap for your Air Fryer Falafel Recipe. Prepare the mixture, soak the chickpeas, air-fry, and serve something that feels indulgent but is genuinely healthier. I love this version of falafel because it keeps the soul of the dish and skips the fryer fear. This is the falafel I want to eat.

If you try it, drop me a line in the comments: did you flatten into discs or keep balls? What dip did you go with?

Don’t forget to follow my Pinterest page at https://www.pinterest.com/emiliorecipes/ for more inspiration.

More and Related Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

If you liked this recipe, you’ll love these other healthy and flavorful ideas:

• Air Fryer Salmon Recipe
  
• Cauliflower Fried Rice with Shrimp
  
• Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
  
• Refrigerator Pickles Recipe
  
• Elote Pasta Salad
  
• Ground Beef Zucchini Sweet Potato Skillet
  
• Pumpkin Chili Recipe
  
• Italian Spaghetti Salad with Spinach
  

FAQs About Homemade Falafel Recipe

Print