Make the best Halal Cart style Falafel at home with our step by step instructions. Falafel are delicious savory crispy balls made with chickpeas and savory herb seasoning. Popular in Middle Eastern cooking, They are naturally vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian. Use them in wraps, pitas, sandwiches and salads for plant protein rich satisfying meal. This recipe shows how to make best baked falafel in oven or air fryer.
Falafel holds a special place in my heart because it's a versatile and delicious dish that's perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a healthy lunch option, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for your next gathering, falafel always delivers.
What is Falafel?
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made primarily from ground chickpeas or fava beans, mixed with herbs, spices, and sometimes onions. The mixture is formed into small balls or patties and then deep-fried or baked until crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside.
Falafel is often served inside pita bread or wrapped in flatbread, along with various toppings and sauces such as tahini sauce, hummus, fresh vegetables, pickles, and hot sauce. It's commonly enjoyed as street food or as part of a mezze platter in Middle Eastern cuisine.
This dish is not only delicious but also a good source of plant-based protein and fiber, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and vegans. Its crispy texture and savory flavor have made it beloved by people around the world, earning it a well-deserved reputation as a flavorful and satisfying comfort food.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas : Falafel is made with chickpeas. I use canned chickpeas to make things easy and quick. Coarsely ground chickpeas make fluffy and crumbly texture. It also provides great plant protein and fiber. You can swap Chickpeas with fava beans for more authentic taste.
- Herbs : I like to use mixture of fresh parsley and cilantro for a burst of fresh herb flavor.
- Seasoning and spices : Garlic for aromatic flavor, ground cumin and coriander are essential spices for authentic falafel taste. Cayenne pepper adds a hint of heat, adjust to taste. Salt and black pepper round up the taste.
- Chickpea flour or oats flour : helps bind the mixture together. You can use all purpose flour as well.
- Fresh Lemon juice : for a touch of acidity.
- Other Ingredients : oil spray or extra-virgin olive oil for making things crispy.
💡💡💡Helpful Hint : You can add pinch of baking powder or soda to the falafel mixture to make it airy. I prefer to use canned chickpeas instead of dried chickpeas to avoid soaking and cooking.
How to make baked falafel
Making baked falafel is super easy and quick. It involves two steps process . 1. is to prepare the batter / dough and prepare balls. 2. is to either bake them in the oven or air fry them.
Preparation
- In a food processor, combine chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, chickpea flour, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pulse it until the mixture is well combined but still coarse and slightly chunky. Using your hands or a cookie scoop, shape the mixture into small balls or patties
If You want to Bake the falafel in the oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the prepared falafel balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly brush the tops of the falafel with olive oil for extra crispiness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the falafel is golden brown and crispy.
- Once baked, serve the falafel warm with your favorite accompaniments such as pita bread, hummus, tahini sauce, or a fresh salad. Enjoy !
How to make Air Fryer Falafels
- Spray the air fryer basket with some olive oil. Put prepared falafel balls in single layer into the basket and spray them with olive oil very lightly.
- Air fry the falafel at 350°F (175°C) for 6 minutes. Flip and fry for another 6 minutes on the other side until the falafel is golden brown and crispy. Serve and enjoy !
Leftovers?
- Once prepared, store leftover falafel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing : You can freeze falafel for longer storage. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can store it in freezer up to 2-3 months.
- To reheat, simply bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through, or microwave for a quick fix.
- Avoid storing falafel with any toppings or sauces to maintain their crispiness and prevent sogginess.
Serving Suggestions
- Stuff warm falafel into pita sandwiches along with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce or yogurt sauce.
- Serve falafel as a protein-packed topping for salads, grain bowls, or Buddha bowls, along with your favorite veggies and grains.
- Enjoy falafel as a delicious appetizer or snack served with a side of dips like olive tapenade , hummus, tzatziki, or spicy harissa sauce.
- Create a mezze platter with falafel alongside other Middle Eastern favorites like tabbouleh, baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves, and olives.
- Make falafel wraps by wrapping falafel, along with crunchy vegetables and creamy sauce, in large lettuce leaves for a lighter option.
- Serve falafel as part of a brunch spread alongside scrambled eggs, roasted vegetables, and fresh fruit for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
- Pair falafel with couscous, rice pilaf, or quinoa for a hearty and nutritious dinner.
- Incorporate falafel into sandwiches or wraps with roasted vegetables, avocado slices, and your favorite spreads for a satisfying lunch on the go.
More Air Fryer Recipes
I share wide variety of air fryer recipes to make all the yummy non fried food. These are some my favorites.
- Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
- Grilled Mushroom Sandwich
- Air Fryer Naan Pizza
- Toasted Ravioli
- Egg Bites Recipe
Recipe FAQs
In Middle East cuisine, especially Egypt, Israel, Jorden and others, falafel is prepared by mixing ground chickpeas or fava beans with aromatic herbs and spices, forming them into small balls or patties. You can either deep fry or bake it to make golden, crispy exterior, and tender, flavorful interior. Falafel is commonly served in pita bread or as a staple of mezze platters and loved worldwide.
Baked falafel offers a healthier alternative to traditional fried falafel, reducing the amount of oil while still delivering a satisfying crunch. By baking instead of frying, you can enjoy all the delicious flavors and textures of falafel without the guilt, making it a nutritious option for any meal. Plus, baking is hassle-free and convenient, resulting in perfectly cooked falafel every time.
Enjoy falafel stuffed into warm pita bread with fresh veggies and drizzled with creamy tahini sauce, or serve them atop salads or grain bowls for a protein-packed meal. Create a mezze platter with falafel, hummus, and other Middle Eastern delights for a flavorful appetizer spread, or incorporate falafel into wraps, sandwiches, or tacos for a delicious fusion twist.
Our favorite Chickpea Recipes
Chickpea is my favorite source of plant protein and I love how it helps in making satisfying meals for vegetarians. These are some other recipes that use canned chickpeas.
- Chickpea Coconut Curry
- Chickpea Salad
- Crispy Roasted Chickpeas - Masala Chole
- Indian Chana Masala - Chickpea Curry
- Chickpea Pasta with Broccoli
❤ If you make this ProfusionCurry Recipe, do let us know how you like it by ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Star Rating and commenting below ! ❤
📖 Recipe
Baked Falafel Recipe ( Air Fryer or Oven )
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz . can) chickpeas drained and rinsed
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 2 Tablespoons chickpea flour or oats flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil or Oil Spray
Optional ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
Instructions
Preparation
- In a food processor, combine chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, chickpea flour, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Pulse it until the mixture is well combined but still coarse and slightly chunky. Using your hands or a cookie scoop, shape the mixture into small balls or patties.
IF YOU WANT TO BAKE THE FALAFEL IN THE OVEN
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the prepared falafel balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly brush or spray the tops of the falafel with olive oil for extra crispiness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the falafel is golden brown and crispy.
- Once baked, serve the falafel warm with your favorite accompaniments such as pita bread, hummus, tahini sauce, or a fresh salad. Enjoy !
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER FALAFELS
- Spray the air fryer basket with some olive oil. Put prepared falafel balls in single layer into the basket and spray them with olive oil very lightly.
- Air fry the falafel at 350°F (175°C) for 6 minutes. Flip and fry for another 6 minutes on the other side until the falafel is golden brown and crispy. Serve and enjoy !
Notes
Nutrition
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Mara Rozitis
This is a great recipe. I really enjoyed it. Forgot to add sesame and Cumin seeds. Do those get added to the mixture or sprinkled on top?
Prajakta Sukhatme
Do it both ways. little bits of pieces inside add nice flavor and on top they get nicely roasted and add to the aroma.