Air Fryer Crispy Falafel (Printable)

Golden, crispy falafel paired with a fresh, creamy green tahini sauce for a vibrant dish.

# What You Need:

→ 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 or all-purpose 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 more 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 mixture resembles coarse sand and holds together when pressed. Avoid over-processing; mixture should not become a paste.
02 - Transfer mixture to a bowl. Stir in baking powder and chickpea flour. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
03 - Using damp hands, form mixture into 16 balls or small patties. Arrange on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to help them hold their shape during cooking.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Lightly spray the basket with olive oil to prevent sticking.
05 - Arrange falafel balls in a single layer without touching. Lightly spray tops with olive oil. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
06 - While falafel cooks, blend tahini, parsley, cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, water, and salt in a blender until smooth and vibrant green. Add additional water as needed to achieve a creamy, pourable consistency.
07 - Transfer hot falafel to serving plate. Serve with green tahini sauce for dipping or drizzling alongside pita bread, fresh salad, or grain bowls.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The air fryer cuts the oil dramatically, so you get that crack-and-crunch without guilt or splatters on your stovetop.
  • Making the tahini sauce fresh in a blender takes about three minutes, and the color is so vivid it becomes a conversation starter.
  • These freeze beautifully once cooked, meaning you can batch-make them for lazy afternoons or unexpected guests.
02 -
  • Do not use canned chickpeas, because the moisture content is too high and will cause your falafel to fall apart in the air fryer no matter how much flour you add.
  • The key to crispy falafel in an air fryer is not the oil spray alone, but also stopping the mixture from being processed into a paste, which traps moisture and steam.
03 -
  • Add a tablespoon of sesame seeds to the falafel mixture before chilling for an extra layer of crunch and nutty depth.
  • Substitute the dill with fresh mint if you want a sweeter, more floral direction, which works beautifully when serving alongside grain bowls.
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