Air Fryer Crispy Falafel (Printable Version)

Golden falafel cooked crisp with fresh herbs and bright green tahini sauce for a healthy flavorful treat.

# Ingredient List:

→ Falafel

01 - 1.5 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and drained
02 - 1 small onion, roughly chopped
03 - 3 garlic cloves
04 - 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, packed
05 - 0.5 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, optional
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
09 - 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
10 - 1.5 teaspoons salt
11 - 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
12 - 2 tablespoons chickpea flour
13 - Olive oil spray

→ Green Tahini Sauce

14 - 0.5 cup tahini
15 - 0.5 cup fresh parsley
16 - 0.5 cup fresh cilantro
17 - 1 small garlic clove
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
19 - 0.25 cup cold water, plus additional as needed
20 - 0.5 teaspoon salt

# Directions:

01 - In a food processor, combine soaked and drained chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, dill if using, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse sand and holds together when pressed. Do not over-process; mixture should not become a paste.
02 - Transfer mixture to a bowl. Stir in baking powder and chickpea flour. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
03 - Using damp hands, form the mixture into 16 balls or small patties. Place on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them hold together during cooking.
04 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
05 - Arrange falafel balls in a single layer without touching. Spray tops lightly with olive oil. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
06 - Blend tahini, parsley, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, water, and salt in a blender until smooth and vibrant green. Add additional water as needed to reach a creamy, pourable consistency.
07 - Serve hot falafel with green tahini sauce for dipping or drizzling. Accompany with pita bread, fresh salad, or grain bowls.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The air fryer does all the work while you make the sauce, no standing over hot oil watching and waiting.
  • One batch feels fancy enough for guests but simple enough to make on a Tuesday night when you want something substantial.
  • The green tahini sauce is so good you'll find yourself making extra just to have it around.
02 -
  • Don't skip the overnight soak for dried chickpeas, and don't cook them either, because cooked chickpeas will make the falafel mushy instead of fluffy.
  • If your falafel mixture feels too wet, add a touch more chickpea flour, but go slow because it's easy to overshoot and end up with something dry.
03 -
  • Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan and sprinkle them into the falafel mixture before shaping for extra crunch and nuttiness.
  • Keep your air fryer basket in good shape by not overcrowding, because that's the difference between crispy and steamed.
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