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Air Fryer or Oven-Baked Falafel

Air Fryer or Oven-Baked Falafel
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This Air Fryer or Oven-Baked Falafel recipe offers a healthy, light, and delicious alternative to traditional deep-fried falafel. Using simple Middle Eastern-inspired ingredients, it delivers perfectly crispy exteriors with tender, flavorful interiors. Ideal for wraps, salads, or as finger food, this recipe is easy to customize, quick to prepare, and packed with nutrients for a wholesome meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil or cooking spray (for crisping)

Optional Variations

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños (for spicy kick)
  • Substitute parsley and cilantro with 1/2 cup mint or dill (for herb mix)
  • Use 1/4 cup chickpea flour or almond flour instead of breadcrumbs (gluten-free option)
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (for cheesy delight)
  • 1/4 cup grated carrot, zucchini, or chopped spinach (for vegetable boost)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chickpeas: Soak dried chickpeas in plenty of water overnight or for at least 12 hours to soften them properly, ensuring the falafel achieves the perfect texture after cooking.
  2. Blend the Ingredients: Drain chickpeas thoroughly and pulse them in a food processor with parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, ground cumin, coriander, baking powder, salt, and pepper until you get a coarse, grainy mixture. Avoid over-processing to prevent the mixture from turning into a paste and to maintain a pleasant bite.
  3. Chill the Mixture: Transfer the falafel mixture to the refrigerator for 30 minutes. This helps it firm up, making it easier to form balls or patties that hold their shape while cooking.
  4. Shape the Falafel: Using your hands or a small ice cream scoop, form uniform bite-sized balls or patties for even cooking in both the air fryer and oven.
  5. Cook the Falafel: For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook the falafel for about 15 minutes, turning them halfway through to ensure even crispiness. For oven baking, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), arrange falafel on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for approximately 25 minutes, flipping once halfway to promote even browning.

Notes

  • Keep the chickpea mixture dry enough to prevent falafel from crumbling during cooking.
  • Use parchment paper in the oven to prevent sticking and promote even cooking.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or baking sheet; leave space between falafel pieces for optimal crisping.
  • Lightly spray falafel with olive oil to achieve a golden, crispy crust without excess fat.
  • Test-cook a single falafel ball first to adjust seasoning and texture before cooking the entire batch.

Nutrition

Keywords: falafel, air fryer falafel, oven baked falafel, healthy falafel, gluten free falafel, Middle Eastern appetizers, crispy falafel

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/air-fryer-or-oven-baked-falafel/