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Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe (Crispy + Delicious)

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

March 20, 2025

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5 from 7 votes

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AIR FRYER FALAFEL BALLS PINTEREST IMAGE.
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Air Fryer Falafel cook up light, fluffy and deliciously crispy. Serve them with hummus and pita or top a salad with them and drizzle on a tahini dressing. 

Three air fryer falafel balls in grey bowl with hummus, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

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I’m so excited to share this recipe with you today.

First, because it’s perfect for Meatless Monday. But second, in this crazy time that we’re living in, these falafel are perfect because they’re affordable, they can be made with mostly shelf stable ingredients, and they can be made ahead of time and popped into the freezer, making meal prep super easy. 

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make it
  • FAQs
  • How to make ahead + store
  • How to enjoy it
  • What to serve with falafel
  • Erin’s wine pairings
  • Full Recipe

Ingredients needed

  • Chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans)
  • Onion
  • Parsley
  • Cilantro
  • Serrano or Jalapeno Pepper
  • Garlic
  • Sesame Seeds
  • Cumin
  • Salt
  • Flour 
  • Baking Powder 

How to make it

  • Soak. Soak chickpeas in water overnight. Canned chickpeas do not hold together well in this recipe. 
  • Process. Process soaked chickpeas with onion, herbs and spices. Then add in flour and baking soda until a coarse texture forms. 
  • Rest. Rest the falafel mixture at least an hour in the fridge to allow it to firm up. Making it easier to form the falafel balls. 
  • Form. Using your hands, or a cookie scoop, form falafel into golf ball sized balls. 
  • Air Fry. Air fry at 380-degrees for 15 minutes, flipping over halfway through. 
Chickpeas soaking in bowl of water.
Ingredients for falafel in food processor bowl.
Processed falafel mixture in food processor bowl.
Uncooked falafel balls on baking sheet.
Uncooked falafel balls in air fryer basket.
Cooked falafel in air fryer basket.

How to air fry falafel

  • Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the falafel inside, leaving space between them (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches). Cook until crispy and golden brown. 

How long to air fry falafel

  • Air fry falafel at 380-degrees for 15 minutes, flipping over halfway through. 

How to make it in the oven

  • If you don’t own an air fryer, you can bake the falafel at 375-degrees until crispy and golden brown, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Uncooked falafel balls in air fryer basket.

FAQs

How long do you put falafel in the air fryer for?

Falafel take 15 minutes in the air fryer at 380-degrees. It’s best to flip them halfway through.

Why can’t you use canned chickpeas for falafel?

Unfortunately, you can’t use canned chickpeas for falafel because once they’re cooked, they loose the starch necessary for the falafel to hold together during cooking.

How to make ahead + store

How to store

  • Leftover falafel will keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to reheat falafel in the air fryer

  • Reheat in a 325-degree air fryer or oven, until warmed through, about 15 minutes. 

How to freeze

  • Place uncooked, formed falafel balls on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm. Then place in a large freezer-safe bag or container. They will last in the freezer for about 3 months. When ready to use, defrost overnight in the refrigerator. 
Falafel balls stuffed into pita with ribbons of cucumber, hummus and green sauce.
Falafel balls stuffed into pita with ribbons of cucumber, hummus and green sauce.

How to enjoy it

  • On a salad (I love it with this lemon tahini sauce)
  • As a wrap
  • Stuffed in a pita with hummus 
  • As a bowl with tzatziki sauce, quinoa and pickled onions

What to serve with falafel

Sauces

  • Spicy Green Sauce
  • Creamy Feta Dressing
  • Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum)
  • Tzatziki Sauce
  • Tahini Yogurt Sauce
  • Plus, 13+ Sauces for Falafel

Side dishes

  • Lebanese Fattoush Salad
  • Israeli Couscous Tabbouleh Salad
  • Lebanese Cabbage Salad
  • Shirazi Salad
  • Hummus 
  • Pickled Onions 
  • Air Fryer Pita Chips
  • Pita Bread 
  • More → 25+ Best Sides for Falafel

Erin’s wine pairings

  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Gewurztraminer
  • Chenin Blanc
Three air fryer falafel balls in grey bowl with hummus, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

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Did you try this air fryer falafel recipe?

If you loved this falafel air fryer recipe, I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

PS – Don’t forget about these tasty sauces for falafel too!

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Three air fryer falafel balls in grey bowl with hummus, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

Full Recipe

Air Fryer Falafel

Air Fryer Falafel cook up light, fluffy and deliciously crispy. Serve them with hummus and pita or top a salad with them and drizzle on a tahini dressing. 
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin
Serves 6 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Resting Time: 1 hour hr
Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
  • 1/2 cup onion (roughly chopped)
  • ¾ cup parsley (roughly chopped)
  • ¾ cup cilantro (roughly chopped)
  • 1 serrano pepper (or jalapeno, rough chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (crushed)
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4-6 tablespoons chickpea flour (or all purpose flour)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Olive oil spray

For Serving:

  • Green sauce
  • Hummus
  • Sliced Tomatoes
  • Sliced Cucumber
  • Sliced Red Onion
  • Pita
  • Tahini

Instructions

  • Place chickpeas in a large bowl and cover with at least 2 inches water. Soak overnight.
  • Drain and rinse chickpeas and add them to a food processor. Add onion, parsley, cilantro, pepper, garlic, sesame seeds, cumin and salt and process until it’s the texture of couscous.
  • Sprinkle in the 4 Tablespoons flour and baking powder, and pulse, adding additional flour if needed so that you can form the mixture into a ball without it sticking to your hands.
  • Place in a bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the mixture to firm up.
  • Using your hands, or a cookie scoop, form falafel into golf ball sized balls.

Air Fryer Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer 380 degrees. Spray the basket with oil and place the falafel inside, leaving space between them (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches). Coat the falafel with additional oil spray.
  • Cook 15 minutes, until golden brown, flipping over halfway through.

Oven Instructions

  • Bake the falafel at 375-degrees until crispy and golden brown, about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Notes

How to store
  • Leftover falafel will keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
How to reheat
  • Reheat in a 325-degree air fryer or oven, until warmed through, about 15 minutes. 
How to freeze
  • Place uncooked, formed falafel balls on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm. Then place in a large freezer-safe bag or container. They will last in the freezer for about 3 months. When ready to use, defrost overnight in the refrigerator. 

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 407mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 798IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

This air fryer falafel recipe was originally published in 2020. It was updated in 2023 to add new information. The recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

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5 from 7 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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6 responses

  1. Marlynn
    March 23, 2020

    5 stars
    These falafels look perfectly formed and crispy! I haven’t made them in my air fryer yet and this definitely looks like a great way to make them without the usual mess. Thanks, Erin!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      March 23, 2020

      You’re welcome Marlynn!

      Reply
  2. Kim Nguyen
    June 16, 2020

    5 stars
    Looks delicious! Just curious, I wonder if there’s a way to “soak” the chickpeas in an Instant Pot to make the soaking process faster? Thanks for all the great recipes!

    Reply
  3. Kristen
    July 12, 2020

    Could i make the “dough” the night before and then shape and fry the next day?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      July 13, 2020

      You can definitely do that Kristen!

      Reply
  4. Mimi Rippee
    February 1, 2025

    I’ve been craving falafels since enjoying them at a Palestinian restaurant in Brooklyn! Great recipe!

    Reply

Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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