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Air Fryer Herb Falafel Balls with Tahini Drizzle

A stack of golden brown Air Fryer Herb Falafel Balls drizzled generously with white tahini sauce.
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Make crispy, flavorful falafel balls in your air fryer using a high amount of fresh herbs. This recipe includes instructions for a simple, creamy tahini sauce.

Ingredients

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  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup fresh parsley, packed
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for the falafel mix)
  • Cooking spray (for the air fryer basket)
  • For the Tahini Drizzle: 1/4 cup tahini paste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3-5 tablespoons cold water
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Combine the chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely ground but still holds some texture. Do not over-process into a paste.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Stir in the 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the flour until just combined. If the mixture seems too wet to hold a shape, add 1 more tablespoon of flour.
  3. Roll the mixture into small balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter. You should get about 16 to 18 balls.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  5. Place the falafel balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. You will need to cook them in batches.
  6. Lightly spray the tops of the falafel balls with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the balls halfway through the cooking time (around the 6-minute mark). The falafel should be golden brown and crispy on the outside.
  8. While the falafel cooks, prepare the tahini drizzle. In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini paste, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt.
  9. Slowly whisk in the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
  10. Serve the hot air-fried falafel immediately with the creamy tahini drizzle.

Notes

  • For the best texture, do not use canned chickpeas that have been sitting in liquid for a long time; rinse and dry them well before using.
  • If you want a slightly softer interior, reduce the air fryer temperature to 360°F (180°C) and cook for 14 minutes.
  • For a gluten-free option, use a certified gluten-free flour blend or substitute with 2 tablespoons of chickpea flour.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tasteportfolio.com/air-fryer-herb-falafel-balls-tahini-drizzle/