Air fryer Vegan Falafel Recipe
Description
Falafel are a vegan, delicious and very healthy chickpea balls that are commonly had as an appetizer or as a meal along with salad stuffed in pita bread.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas soaked overnight and drained
- ¼ cup parsley with small stems
- ¼ cup cilantro with small stems
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1.5 tsp. cumin powder
- 1.5 tsp. coriander powder
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 tsp. pepper optional
- 3-4 green chillies
- salt to taste
- 2 tsp. chickpea flour
- 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil for brushing during air frying
- 2 cups oil if deep frying
Directions
- Soak 1 cup chickpeas overnight in double the water. They soak the water and double in size. Drain and keep aside.
- Blend together ½ cup parsley and cilantro, 4 cloves garlic, 4 green chillies, 1 teaspoon pepper (optional) and 1 onion.
- Now add drained chickpeas, 1.5 tsp. each of ground cumin and coriander, salt and 2 tsp. chickpea flour.The mix should be moist but must not become a paste.
- If using a blender, blend the garlic, pepper, cilantro, parsley and onion first and then blend with chickpeas. This is to ensure that all of them blend well together. Do this in small batches.
- Now make small balls of this falafel mix using your palms or an ice cream scoop. Make the balls about 1-2 cm. in diameter. This way they cook evenly.
- Preheat Air fryer at 200 C or 390 F for 5 minutes. Brush the basket with olive oil.
- Lay the falafel balls so that the basket is not overcrowded. I can cook about 12 – 15 of them at a time.
- Brush lightly with olive oil and air fry for about 15 minutes. You do not need to move the falafels during cooking.
- They will be perfectly crunchy and brown on the outside and soft, moist and cooked inside.
- They come out easily. Have them with a spicy dip or chutney or with a salad. They are truly delicious.
- Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a skillet. Deep fry the prepared falafel balls on medium heat till golden brown. Drain and serve.
