Why did my falafel fall apart in the air fryer?

This usually happens if the mixture is too wet. It's crucial to use dried, soaked chickpeas—not canned—as canned chickpeas hold too much moisture and will cause your falafel to turn mushy and fall apart. Making sure to pat the soaked chickpeas dry is also a key step to prevent this.

Can I use canned chickpeas if I'm short on time?

It is strongly recommended not to use canned chickpeas for this recipe. They are pre-cooked and too soft, which prevents the falafel from holding its shape and achieving the right texture. The authentic, fluffy-yet-crispy result truly depends on starting with dried chickpeas.

Can I make this Gluten-Free Air Fryer Falafel mixture ahead of time?

Absolutely! The uncooked falafel mixture can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze the uncooked, pre-shaped patties for longer storage. Place them on a tray in a single layer to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to six months. You can cook them directly from frozen; just add a few extra minutes to the air frying time.

Gluten-Free Air Fryer Falafel: A Remarkably Simple Recipe

Name: Gluten-Free Air Fryer Falafel: A Remarkably Simple and Flavorful Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 cups dried chickpeas (or garbanzo beans); 1 ½ teaspoons salt (or to taste); 1 small yellow or red onion, quartered; 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed; 1 cup fresh parsley; ¾ cup fresh cilantro; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons ground coriander; 1 teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); ½ teaspoon turmeric (optional, for color); 1 teaspoon baking powder; Cooking spray as needed

Description

The ultimate Gluten-Free Air Fryer Falafel! This simple recipe uses dried chickpeas and fresh herbs to create a falafel that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy and vibrant on the inside. A healthy, flavorful, and authentic-tasting meal you can make right at home.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups dried chickpeas (or garbanzo beans)

1 ½ teaspoons salt (or to taste)

1 small yellow or red onion, quartered

3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

1 cup fresh parsley

¾ cup fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

½ teaspoon turmeric (optional, for color)

1 teaspoon baking powder

Cooking spray as needed

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Instructions

1. Prepare Your Chickpeas: First, take your soaked chickpeas, drain them completely, and give them a good rinse. Pat them dry to remove any excess moisture.

2. Create the Base: Place the chickpeas and salt into a large food processor. Pulse them just until you get a coarse, sandy texture. Scoop out about half of this mixture and set it aside in a large mixing bowl.

3. Blend the Herbs & Spices: To the food processor with the remaining chickpeas, add your onion, garlic, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and cayenne and turmeric if you are using them. Process this until everything is finely blended and a beautiful, vibrant green mixture forms.

4. Combine and Chill: Scrape the herby mixture into the bowl with your coarsely ground chickpeas. Stir everything together until it’s perfectly combined. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of 45 minutes.

5. Form and Cook: After chilling, stir the baking powder into the mix. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to preheat. Shape the mixture into small patties or balls. Lightly coat the air fryer basket and the falafel patties with cooking spray.

6. Air Fry to Perfection: Carefully place your Gluten-Free Air Fryer Falafel in the basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping them over at the halfway mark. They’re done when they are deeply golden brown and wonderfully crispy.

Notes

Use Dried Chickpeas Only: Do not substitute canned chickpeas. The recipe’s success depends on the firm texture that only comes from using dried chickpeas that have been soaked.

Don’t Over-Process: Be careful not to turn the chickpea mixture into a paste. Maintaining some coarse texture is key to a fluffy interior.

Chill the Mixture: Chilling the mixture is crucial for helping the falafel patties hold their shape during cooking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Main Course
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 patty
Calories: 60
Sugar: 0.5g
Sodium: 175mg
Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 0.2g
Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 7g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg