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Air-Fried Falafels

Cook: 30 min
Total: 1h 30 min

Ingredients for 20 falafels

  • Batter
    • 4 cups garbanzo, drained and air-dried
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 1 teaspoon coriander
    • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
    • 1 tablespoon sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 1/2 cups fresh parsley, chopped and packed
    • 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped and packed
    • 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
  • Coating (optional but the macronutrient count includes them)
    • 1 1/2 cups garbanzo crumbs (OR panko crumbs OR wheat breadcrumbs)
    • 3 eggs, lightly beaten
  • Tahini sauce
    • 3 tablespoons raw tahini
    • 2/3 cup warm water
    • juice from 1 lemon
    • 1 tablespoon garlic, freshly minced
    • pinch of sea salt & pepper to taste

Steps

Step 1

Rinse and drain canned chickpeas.  Pro-tip: after draining, spread the chickpeas on a paper towel or large towel on your kitchen table or countertop.  Let the chickpeas air-dry for about 1 hour before placing in the food processor.

Step 2

Add all the ingredients for the batter to a food processor. PULSE blend until the batter is crumbly but sticks together when tightly packed. Empty the contents into a bowl and place in the fridge for 15 – 20 minutes.

Step 3

Set air-fryer to 400F.

Step 4

Use an ice-cream scooper to scoop out each falafel batter, then pack it in and form it into a round, solid ball. Repeat. Note: after you form these into balls you can move forward and place them in the air fryer – just spray them with avocado oil – for the same cooking time. If you want a crispy, crunchy coating like the original recipe, then add the coating.

Step 5

Dip each ball in egg, then in the crumbs, then place it in your air-fryer basket.  If you’re cooking this in batches, ONLY coat the falafels before they go into the air-fryer to prevent the crumbs from softening.  Before cooking in the air-fryer, spray with avocado oil.  Cook for 15 – 20 minutes.

Step 6

Mix together the ingredients for the tahini sauce.

Step 7

Allow them to cool, then enjoy with the tahini sauce.  One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is on a warm wheat pita with tahini sauce, mixed greens and a roasted tomato.