Easy Air Fryer Falafels | Recipes From A Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Can you air fry falafel instead of deep frying? ›

Lightly brush the falafel disks with olive oil, and then add them to the air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd them (the patties need some room so they crisp up well). Cook the falafel in 5-minute increments: Air-fry on one side for 5 minutes, and then check to see if it has crisped and gained color.

If the mixture is too wet, the falafel has a tendency to fall apart when being fried so please pat dry the ingredients before using them. If you find the mixture is too wet, simply add little more breadcrumbs. The falafel mixture after prepared can be shaped by hand or with a tool called an alb falafel (falafel mold).

To Reheat: Falafel will lose its crispy outside texture once it is chilled. You can easily reheat it in the air fryer at 375 degrees Farenheit until warmed through. If you are reheating them from frozen then add a few minutes onto the air fryer time until warmed through.

Turns out that dried chickpeas are essential to good falafel. See, canned chickpeas have already been cooked. Starch molecules within them have already burst and released their sticky contents, much of which get washed away in the cooking liquid, leaving the remaining chickpeas with very little clinging power.

Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. This will give the falafel the characteristic taste of the Mediterranean. As long as you fry on a medium heat, the oil will be good for you. You just don't want the oil to smoke so be careful not to get it too hot.

It's basically a convection oven with faster air flow, so it does not really fry. Frying is the cooking of food in oil or another fat so you can't fry without oil or fat. If you cook home made, hand cut french fries in an air fryer, without adding oil, you will get baked fries.

Poor seasoning: Falafel relies on a combination of herbs and spices for its flavor. If the falafel lacks proper seasoning or if the seasoning is imbalanced, it can result in a bland or off-putting taste. Stale ingredients: The freshness of the ingredients used in making falafel can significantly impact its taste.

Though it contains many healthy ingredients, it's typically deep-fried, which increases its fat and calorie content. However, baking falafel counters this issue and allows you to enjoy this dish without potentially affecting your waistline, if that's a concern for you.

A binding ingredient can help keep it together, especially if you are using canned beans instead of dried. And the perfect binding ingredient for falafel is flour. Nothing fancy, just plain all-purpose flour. Add a few tablespoons at a time to your mixture, until you can press it easily into balls or patties.

What do you eat with falafel? ›

Researchers have found that falafel has many health benefits. It is high in fibre as it contains vegetables, legumes (beans, chickpeas, or almonds), and olive oil, all of which can help people stay healthy and maintain an optimal weight while reducing their risk of diabetes, heart disease, and blood pressure.

What Is It? Aquafaba is the thick liquid that results from soaking or cooking legumes, such as chickpeas, in water for an extended period of time. It's the translucent viscous goop you probably rinse down the drain when you open a can of chickpeas.

It's called aquafaba, and it's (basically) free! When we refer to aquafaba (as we often do in our cookbook on vegan cooking, Vegan for Everybody), we're talking about the liquid in a can of chickpeas.

They have to have enough fresh herbs and onion. Too much onion and your falafel will have a bad after taste. Too little and they won't be as moist and fluffy as they should be. It's all about balance.

Because the circulating air of an air fryer will be in less intense contact with your food than hot oil, you'll need to compensate by increasing your temperature a bit to around 390°F for anything that's traditionally deep fried. Oil: Get that crisp right with a small amount of oil.

Air frying can be a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods as it uses a fraction of the oil that is used when deep frying. Air fryers use a combination of hot air and only about one to two tablespoons of oil to promote caramelization, whereas deep fryers often require at least four to six cups of oil.

Many oven, stovetop, and deep-fryer recipes can be converted to the air fryer. Adjust the temperature and cook time when converting recipes to avoid over-cooking. Don't air-fry wet foods and foods coated in wet batter since they won't brown properly.

The difference in air fryer vs. deep fryer taste boils down to individual preference. Because deep frying requires more oil, the flavor of oil you use will coat the entire food. This is where air frying can be an asset since using a limited amount of oil can enhance the natural flavors of the food.