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The Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Falafel with Tahini Drizzle

Close-up of several golden brown, crispy air fryer falafel balls drizzled generously with creamy tahini sauce.
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Make genuinely crispy falafel in your air fryer. This recipe focuses on proper chickpea preparation and air frying technique to achieve a golden exterior and soft interior without deep frying.

Ingredients

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  • 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed)
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, packed
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, packed
  • 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)
  • Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon olive oil for spritzing
  • For Tahini Drizzle: 1/4 cup tahini, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 clove garlic (minced), 2-4 tablespoons cold water, pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried chickpeas in water overnight. Drain and rinse them thoroughly before use. Do not use canned chickpeas.
  2. Combine the soaked chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, baking soda, salt, cayenne pepper (if using), and flour in a food processor.
  3. Pulse the mixture until it forms a coarse, crumbly dough. Do not over-process; the mixture should hold together when squeezed but still have texture.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the mixture firm up for better shaping.
  5. Shape the mixture into small balls or small patties, about 1 inch in diameter.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 5 minutes.
  7. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil. Arrange the falafel balls in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  8. Lightly spritz the tops of the falafel with cooking spray or brush with a tiny amount of oil. This step is key for crispiness.
  9. Air fry for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The falafel should be deep golden brown and crispy on the outside.
  10. While the falafel cooks, prepare the tahini drizzle: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt. Slowly add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
  11. Remove the falafel from the air fryer and serve immediately with the tahini drizzle, pita bread, and fresh salad.

Notes

  • For the crispiest results, ensure your chickpea mixture is not too wet before shaping. If it seems sticky, add one more teaspoon of flour.
  • If you prefer a slightly drier texture, increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) for the last 2 minutes of cooking.
  • You can make the mixture ahead of time and store it, unshaped, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerykings.com/crispy-air-fryer-falafel-recipe/