Air Fryer Falafel

These air fryer falafel are quick, easy to make and perfectly crispy with a soft interior! They’re gluten free, vegan, high in protein and great for meal prep.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I used to be vegan and falafel was a huge part of my diet. Well, chickpeas in general! This air fryer falafel recipe is naturally vegan, gluten free and so easy to make. We’re using canned chickpeas to make the process a bit faster but I promise you still end up with a deliciously crispy falafel.

Baking falafel is great as well, but I find you get a much more even crisp when you air fry them. They’re perfect for wraps, salads, rice or quinoa bowls or a little salad plate situation like I did here! They’re great with my red pepper hummus and lots of crisp veggies like cucumber and tomatoes. If you love this recipe, try my air fryer salmon patties next!

Quick tips

• If you have the time, chilling the dough for about an hour before forming it into patties will make the process so much easier and the end result so much better. You can get away with not doing it, but in my experience, a quick chill goes a long way!
• For best results, preheat your air fryer to 380 before adding the falafel in. This way, the air fryer is nice and hot as soon as they go in and the exterior will get a bit crispier. This also helps prevent the falafel from drying out in the air fryer.

How to make air fryer falafel

Cut the onion into large chunks and add to a food processor. Process for just a few seconds so the onion ends up minced.

Drain and rinse the chickpeas really well, then dry them off as best you can. Add to the food processor with all remaining ingredients. Leave out the breadcrumbs (if using) for now. Start with 6 tablespoons of flour.

Process until mostly combined but not too mushy. I like to leave some of the chickpeas in pieces so it’s not fully processed. If it seems too wet, add in the additional 2 tablespoons of flour. For best results, add the mixture to the fridge for 30-60 minutes.

This will make it much easier to scoop and form. If you don’t have time that’s totally fine, the mixture will just be a bit softer!

Once chilled, use a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) and scoop into either balls or patties (just depends on your preference). If using the breadcrumbs, coat the ball or patty in the breadcrumbs and then place in a greased air fryer basket that is preheat to 380 Fahrenheit. Spray the tops with oil.

Air fry at 380 for 18 minutes or until golden and crispy. I don’t find the need to flip halfway with the air fryer, but if you want you can! Serve with hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, more fresh herbs and my lemon tahini dressing. Enjoy and try my sesame chickpeas next!

Key ingredients & swaps

Chickpeas. The star of the show! I will admit, true, authentic falafel recipes will use dried but soaked chickpeas, not canned. However, I wanted a recipe that was quick and easy. To me, that doesn’t mean waiting 12 hours for chickpeas to soak. If you want that authentic recipe, try my baked gluten free falafel.

Herbs. I used a mix of cilantro and parsley- equal parts of each. You can opt for all of one or the other or also throw in some fresh basil, chives etc. Whatever you like is great here!

Onion & garlic. About one small yellow onion and a few cloves of garlic will add a lot of flavor here. You can use a different color onion if that’s what you have, just note the flavor profile will be a bit different.

Spices. Cumin and paprika are the stars here. We’ll also add salt (of course), some red pepper for a bit of spice and sesame seeds to add a slight nutty flavor.

Breadcrumbs. This is optional! Coating the air fryer falafel patties or balls with some gluten free breadcrumbs before air frying gives them an ultra crispy exterior. I suggest a plain option and not Italian seasoned.

Serving suggestions

There’s so many ways to enjoy falafel, I honestly love just grabbing a few when I’m running out the door and having them as a quick high protein/high fiber snack. Here’s some of my other favorite ways to enjoy!

• In a grain bowl with jasmine rice or quinoa, a tomato cucumber salad and my lemon tahini dressing.
• All the same ingredients as above, minus the grains and wrapped up in a tortilla or pita instead!
• Formed into patties and dipped into basil pesto hummus for an appetizer.
• As a delicious protein addition to my quinoa chickpea salad or quinoa tabbouleh salad.

Air fryer recipes you’ll love!

• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Sweet Potato Wedges
• Spiced Air Fryer Salmon
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken

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