Easy Fresh or Frozen Falafel in Air Fryer: The Best Meal Prep Recipe
Enjoy homemade falafel the healthier way, crispy, golden, and perfectly cooked in the air fryer!
Made with wholesome ingredients, these falafel patties are a great way to enjoy a healthy falafel recipe at home. Skip the mess of oil and achieve the same delicious crunch with this simple, no-fuss method.
Looking for something even easier? Frozen falafel offers a quick, convenient option without sacrificing flavor or texture, perfect for those extra busy days.
In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know, from homemade vs. store-bought falafel and why frozen falafel is a smart choice, to tools, ingredients, step-by-step instructions, storage tips, serving sauces, and the health benefits of falafel!
Make Your Own or Use Store-Bought Falafel
When it comes to falafel, you have two great options: make it from scratch or use store-bought frozen falafel. Both options have their perks, so you can choose what works best for your time and needs.
- Homemade Falafel: Freshly made falafel has unbeatable flavor and texture. You control every ingredient, customize flavors, and avoid any preservatives or additives. Plus, it’s fun and rewarding to make!
- Store-Bought Frozen Falafel: Short on time? Store-bought frozen falafel is a convenient option for busy weeknights. It’s pre-cooked and ready to air fry, bake, or microwave in minutes. Look for clean ingredient lists and opt for gluten-free or low-sodium varieties, if needed.
Both options work perfectly in falafel bowls, wraps, and sandwiches. If you want a full DIY experience, follow the step-by-step instructions below.
Prefer quick and easy? Skip to the cooking section to see how to cook store-bought falafel to crispy perfection.
Why Choose Frozen Falafel?
- Convenience: Ready-to-cook, no soaking or blending required.
- Versatility: Works in many meals, from salads to wraps.
- Flexitarian Appeal: Plant-based, protein-rich, and aligns with a diet that balances plant and animal-based foods.
- Time-Saving: Whip up golden, crunchy falafel in minutes, just what you need for a stress-free dinner solution.
Tools Needed
Having the right tools makes preparing falafel easier and more efficient. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Food Processor: Essential for blending chickpeas, garlic, herbs, and spices into a coarse, flavorful falafel mixture.
- Mixing Bowl: For combining and chilling the falafel mixture before shaping.
- 2-inch Ice Cream Scoop: Helps portion the mixture evenly, ensuring uniform-sized falafel balls for even cooking.
- Air Fryer (or Alternative Cooking Method): Cook falafel to crispy perfection using an air fryer, pan, or oven.
- Baking Sheet (if baking): If you’re baking instead of frying, a lined baking sheet is key for even cooking.
- Spatula or Tongs: For flipping falafel during cooking to ensure even crispness.
With these simple tools, you’ll have everything you need to prepare crispy, flavorful falafel with ease.
Ingredient Substitutions
Looking for an easy way to customize your falafel? Here are some simple swaps to keep your falafel flavorful and delicious:
- Garbanzo Beans ➡ Fava Beans: Swap chickpeas for fava beans to create a more traditional, Egyptian-style falafel with a soft, creamy texture.
- Fresh Parlsey ➡ Cilantro or Dill: If you’re out of fresh parsley, cilantro or dill can provide a fresh, herbaceous flavor. You can also omit it if preferred.
- Flour/Breadcrumbs ➡ Almond Flour or Oats: Need a gluten-free option? Almond flour or ground oats work as great binding agents.
- Garlic Scapes ➡ Green Onions or Leeks: If garlic scapes aren’t available, green onions or leeks offer a mild, onion-garlic flavor.
These substitutions allow you to create a flavorful falafel no matter what ingredients you have on hand
Ingredient Add Ins
Want to elevate your falafel balls with more flavor and texture? Here are some tasty add-ins to try:
- Fresh Herbs: Boost the freshness with extra fresh cilantro, parsley, dill, or mint.
- Spices: Add fresh jalapeno, turmeric, paprika, or red chili flakes for a flavor boost and a pop of color.
- Nuts & Seeds: For extra texture, mix in chopped pistachios, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds.
- Veggies: Grated carrot, zucchini, or spinach can add moisture and nutrition.
- Zest: Lemon or lime zest brightens up the flavor for a fresh twist.
These add-ins bring new life to your falafel balls, letting you customize each batch to suit your taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy, Dietitian-Approved Falafel
This recipe yields 8-9 falafels, each perfectly portioned at 1/4 cup.
1. Prepare the Mixture
Combine chickpeas, onion, garlic scapes, cumin, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarse but sticks together—don’t over-process! If the mixture feels too wet, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour or breadcrumbs for binding.
2. Chill the Mixture
Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. This step is key to firming up the mixture, making shaping easier.
3. Shape the Falafel
Use a 2-inch ice cream scoop (holds about 1.4 oz) to evenly portion the mixture. Form into balls or slightly flatten for patties, depending on your preference.
4. Cook the Falafel
Air Fryer: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Arrange falafel in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway for even crisping.
5. Freeze Falafel
Freeze cooked falafel on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
6. Reheat from Frozen
To reheat frozen falafel, preheat the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway for even crisping.
Other Storage Tips for Leftover Falafel
Not ready to freeze your falafel? You can refrigerate them instead! Simply place leftover falafel in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat them in the oven or air fryer to bring back their crispy texture.
Serving Suggestions
Falafel is a versatile, plant-based protein that can be enjoyed in countless ways. Serve it in warm pita bread as a falafel sandwich, on top of a fresh salad, in a hearty falafel bowl, or paired with fries and your favorite dipping sauce.
For more creative serving ideas, check out our 10 Delicious Ways to Serve Air-Fried Falafel article for bowls, wraps, salads, tacos, and more!
Best Sauces to Serve with Falafel
Take your falafel to the next level with these five flavorful sauces:
- Tzatziki Sauce: A creamy blend of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and fresh dill—perfect for falafel sandwiches or wraps.
- Tahini Sauce: Smooth and nutty, this classic sesame-based sauce adds richness to falafel bowls and grain bowls.
- Garlic Yogurt Sauce: A quick, tangy option made with Greek yogurt, garlic, and lemon juice for a fresh, zesty drizzle.
- Spicy Harissa Sauce: Add a fiery kick with this bold North African chili paste—perfect for heat lovers.
- Cashew Dressings (Spicy or Caesar): Go creamy and dairy-free with spicy cashew dressing for bold heat or cashew Caesar dressing for a rich, tangy twist. Both add velvety texture to falafel bowls, wraps, or fresh salads.
Health Benefits of Falafel
Falafel isn’t just delicious, it’s a nutrient-packed addition to a balanced flexitarian diet.
Rich in plant-based protein, it supports muscle repair and energy. Falafel are made primarily from beans! Beans are high in fiber content and aids in digestion and promotes fullness. Air-fried falafel is low in saturated fat and a great option for gluten-free and dairy-free diets.
Want to learn more? Check out our full article on Myths About Plant-Based Proteins: What You Need to Know
Garlic Scape Falafels
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 2" inch ice cream scoop
- 1 freezer safe container
Ingredients
- 4 cups dried chickpeas soaked 12-48hours
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 cup garlic scapes diced
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 3 tbsp lemon juice roughly 1/2 a lemon
- 1 tsp cumin or more to taste
- 1 tsp salt or more to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- bowl or water olive oil see recipe notes
Instructions
Prepare The Falafel Mixture
- In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic scapes, cumin, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Pulse until a coarse, paste-like mixture forms. Avoid over-blending to maintain some texture. If the mixture is too wet, add 1-2 tablespoons of flour or breadcrumbs to help bind it.
Chill The Mixture
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. This helps it firm up, making it easier to shape into falafel.
Shape The Falafels
- Use a 2-inch ice cream scoop (which holds about 1.4 oz) to portion out the mixture evenly. Form the mixture into small balls or flatten slightly to create patties, depending on your preference. (see recipe note)
Cook
- Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place falafel in a single layer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden.
Serve
- Serve warm falafel in pita bread, with hummus, tahini sauce, fresh veggies (like cucumber, tomato, and lettuce), or over a fresh salad for a healthy, delicious meal.
Freeze Falafel
- Freeze cooked falafel on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Reheat from Frozen
- To reheat frozen falafel, preheat the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway for even crisping.
Notes
- Sticky Mixture: If the falafel mix sticks to your hands, coat your palms with water or olive oil while shaping the falafel balls.
- Falling Apart: If the mixture is falling apart, try adding 1-2 eggs to help it bind. Another possible issue is under-processing the mixture. Run it through the food processor again until it holds together better. See the step-by-step photos in the "How to Make Falafels" section for guidance.
- Cooking Method: For a classic approach, you can always deep-fry these falafels instead of air frying, pan-frying, or baking.
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Sarah Harper, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing all things food! At The Addy Bean, you’ll find a variety of flexitarian recipes designed to inspire and empower you to explore the delicious world of plant-based eating. My mission is to make plant-forward meals approachable, enjoyable, and part of your everyday life!
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