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Crispy Air Fryer Falafel Bowl Recipe Easy Homemade with Creamy Tahini Drizzle

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy falafel made in the air fryer, served in a nourishing bowl with fresh veggies and a creamy tahini drizzle. Perfect for a wholesome, flavorful meal without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 small onion, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2–3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free option)
  • ½ cup tahini
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • 3–4 tablespoons water
  • Salt, to taste
  • Cooked quinoa or couscous (about 1 cup cooked per serving)
  • Fresh cucumber, diced
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Pickled red onions or sliced radishes (optional)
  • Mixed greens or baby spinach
  • Olive oil and lemon wedges for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Soak 1 ½ cups dried chickpeas overnight (at least 12 hours) in plenty of cold water. Drain and pat dry before use.
  2. In a food processor, combine soaked chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, cayenne, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Pulse until coarse and sandy in texture, not pureed. Scrape sides as needed.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons flour and pulse again until mixture holds together when pressed. Add more flour if too wet.
  4. Shape mixture into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter (about 16 balls). Place on a baking sheet or plate.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
  6. Arrange falafel balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Lightly spray basket with cooking spray if desired.
  7. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy outside, tender inside.
  8. While falafel cooks, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and 3-4 tablespoons water until smooth and pourable.
  9. Assemble bowls with cooked quinoa or couscous, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and pickled onions or radishes if using.
  10. Top with crispy falafel balls and drizzle generously with tahini sauce. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil.
  11. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Use dried chickpeas soaked overnight for best texture; canned chickpeas will not crisp properly. Pulse mixture to a coarse texture, not puree. Rest mixture in fridge for 30 minutes if too wet to help binding. Lightly oil air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Flip falafel halfway through cooking for even crispiness. Tahini drizzle can be thinned with water to desired consistency. Leftovers store well in fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in air fryer or oven to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

Keywords: falafel, air fryer falafel, tahini drizzle, vegan falafel, gluten-free falafel, healthy falafel bowl, quick falafel recipe, crispy falafel

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/crispy-air-fryer-falafel-bowl-recipe-easy-homemade-with-creamy-tahini-drizzle/