This Air Fryer Falafel recipe with Canned Chickpeas is a healthy protein packed meal made even easier using canned chickpeas! Full of fresh herbs, canned chickpeas, and spices. Perfect to add to a salad, in a warmed pita, or in a greens & grains bowl with a side of hummus. Naturally vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free!
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Ok, let's unpack this falafel situation here. I am sort of new to this falafel world, but could not be more INTO it now! We are obsessed with our local CAVA restaurant and I always get their greens and grain bowls with falafel and KNEW I had to have a falafel recipe on my blog.And now you are all caught up!
As you may have noticed, I have quite a few new chickpea recipes and I don't plan on stopping! They are full of protein, are plant based, fiber-licious, and so good for your gut!
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Here is what's in falafel:
You only need a few things to make falafel. A can of chickpeas, some fresh herbs, seasoning, and a little flour to bind it all together!
- Canned Chickpeas - most falafel recipes are made from soaked dried chickpeas, fava beans, or even cooked lentils! But, after experimenting with this air fryer falafel recipe, I found these herbaceous falafels maintained their shape and taste with canned chickpeas! Plus, such a time saver! I also included instructions for using dried chickpeas if you want to go that route too!
- Alliums - Like I have mentioned MANY times here the power of alliums in our guts, I ALWAYS aim to add onion and garlic in most recipes here and falafel recipe is no different.
- Fresh Herbs - What is falafel without some fresh parsley? Love adding sneaky greens to my recipes 🍃
- Flour - You can use any all purpose flour, but I used cassava flour in this recipe to keep it gluten free. Using either still made a fantastic crispy falafel!
How to make falafel in the air fryer
To prevent a falafel fall-apart situation, drain the chickpeas the PRO TIP - dry them with paper towels. This is KEY for having control over the falafel balls using canned chickpeas. The dryer, the better!
In a food processor, pulse the onion and garlic. Add the fresh herbs and spices, then pulse in the chickpeas. We want the mixture to be combined, not pureed here. Lastly, do a quick pulse of the flour.
Preheat your air fryer at 350F, spray the basket with olive oil spray. With wet hands, roll falafel mixture into 1-2" balls.
PRO TIP - Cover and place falafel balls in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour to firm up even more and it will help get rid of any excess moisture. This means crispier falafels.
Air Fryer Falafel FAQs
Yes! This falafel recipe is both naturally vegetarian and vegan! It's packed with plant based protein thanks to those chickpeas. Plus whether you eat plant based or simply want a satisfying healthy meal. This one is a winner!
Yup! I found in testing this recipe that forming the falafel into patties vs ball shape cooked better in the oven and kept the right consistency throughout the cooking process. See recipe notes for oven instructions.
Short answer yes, BUT there's a trick to it. Freeze the cooked and cooled falafels on a sheet pan for about 30 minutes. Then transfer to your favorite freezer safe containers or plastic bags.
Yes! I have made this recipe with both unbleached all purpose flour as well as gluten free flour (My favorite is this cassava flour). You can use either flour in a 1:1 ratio for equally great results!
Air Fryer Falafel Serving Suggestions
In a greens & grains bowl - load up a bowl of your favorite mixed greens, pickled red onion, homemade hummus, olives, feta cheese, and top with falafel.
A Falafel sandwich - NOTHING is better than a warmed pita or naan stuffed with some greens, hummus, carrots match sticks, and some halved cherry tomatoes. YUM.
This FUTURE Air Fryer Falafel Greek salad that Imma going to link here. You see, the beauty of developing all these healthy recipes is I already KNOW what is coming down the line! So I figure, let's get you excited about just air fryer falafel recipe FIRST THEN make a ton of recipes that will go with it!
It's also PERFECT for meal prep. GoodBYE sad desk lunch! HELLO to fresh and flavorful!
Air Fryer Falafel with Canned Chickpeas
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Air Fryer Falafel recipe with Canned Chickpeas is a healthy protein packed meal made even easier using canned chickpeas! Full of fresh herbs, canned chickpeas, and spices. Perfect to add to a salad, in a warmed pita, or in a greens & grains bowl with a side of hummus. Naturally vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free!
Ingredients
- ½ of small red onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 cup of carrots, chopped
- 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed*
- ½ cup packed parsley
- ½ cup packed cilantro
- 1 tbs olive oil
- Juice and zest of ½ lemon
- ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- Pinch of salt & pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- ½ cup of cassava flour or all purpose flour
Instructions
- Dry the chickpeas on paper towels
- Prep the falafel mixture: To a food processor add the onion, garlic, and carrots. Pulse for 30 seconds, then add the chickpeas, spices, herbs, and pulse 2-3 times to combine, not pureed.
- Pulse in the flour: Pulse 2 more times.
- Refrigerate Mixture: Cover and chill the mixture for 30 minutes. This ensures a crispier falafel!
- Preheat the air fryer to 350F.
- Form the falafel: Using a cookie scoop or wet hands, form the falafel mixture into balls.
- Bake falafel: Place falafel into air fryer basket, spray with olive oil cooking spray, and bake for 14 minutes. Turn once half way through to ensure even crispness.
Notes
* If using dried chickpeas, pre-soak them 8-12 hours (over night works best) then drain.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 Minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Dana says
I'm so excited to have stumbled upon an air fryer falafel recipe! They've got a perfect crisp on the outside. Can't wait to make these again.
Amanda says
This is so exciting to hear Dana! Enjoy!
Kris says
SUPER easy, super tasty! Can't wait to make again. Thank you! 🙂
Michele says
You have given me one more reason to love my air fryer even more! This Falafel was delicious! I loved the addition of the red pepper flavors. This will be one of my go to recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Holley says
Wow! So easy! Air frying falafel is delicious and fast! Yummy recipe!