Air fryer falafel balls

Get ready to experience the magic of air-fried falafel balls - they're crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. This Middle Eastern chickpea recipe with fresh herbs and warm spices is healthy option for your snack time party. This could be served as side dish or appetizer. These flavor packed falafel balls are good to go with Peta bread, fresh salad and tahini or hummus and yogurt-based dips.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 21 mins

Total Time 51 mins

Cooking Method: Air frying, Baking, Oil Frying

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Courses: Appetizer, side dish, snack

Difficulty: Beginner

Cooking Temp: 190 C

Servings: 2

Calories: 150

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Ingredients

1 cup chickpeas (soaked overnight, drained and pat dried.)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
1/4 cup onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 green chili (small sized, chopped)
1/2 tsp coriender (ground)
1/2 tsp cumin (ground)
1/4 tsp salt
1/6 tsp black pepper (ground)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp chickpea flour (optional)
1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
1 pinch baking soda

Instructions

1
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas until finely ground. You can leave some small bits for texture.
3
Now add the parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, baking soda and chickpea flour (if using) to the food processor and pulse until combined.
4
Transfer the mixture to a bowl add sesame seeds and stir in the olive oil.
5
Form the mixture into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter. Aim for a firm but gentle grip to avoid them falling apart during cooking.
6
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
7
Place the falafel balls in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch.
8
Air fry for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Flip the balls halfway through cooking for even browning.
9
Serve with tahini, hummus or yogurt based dips.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 2

Serving Size 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 150kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 0.5g3%
Sodium 150mg7%
Total Carbohydrate 20g7%
Dietary Fiber 3g12%
Sugars 1.98g
Protein 5g10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Soaking the chickpeas overnight is crucial for optimal texture and flavor. Aim for at least 8-12 hours, but you can soak them for up to 24 hours if you prefer.
Don't over process the mixture! Pulse the ingredients in the food processor just until combined, leaving some small bits of chickpeas for a more rustic texture. Over processing can lead to mushy falafel balls.
Wet your hands slightly to prevent the mixture from sticking. Gently roll the mixture into balls, aiming for a uniform size of about 1 inch in diameter. Don't pack the mixture too tightly, as it can make the falafel balls dense.
Leftover falafel balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until crispy.

Keywords: Falafel, chickpea , vegan, Gluten-free, snack