I think falafel is delicious and I devour it every once in a while, but I never heard of air fryer falafel. The following story is about the first time I tasted this type of falafel and I was impressed. The taste and crispiness were the same as the traditional one even though it wasn’t fried. This is a healthier version of falafel.
A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to have the privilege of visiting my good friend’s house. We went there to view the much-awaited Super Bowl. As soon as I stepped through the door, the tantalizing smell of something delicious simmering in the kitchen wafted towards me. The aroma immediately filled me with a feeling of warmth and contentment. My friend Don let me in on a delicious secret: he had prepared falafel in the air fryer and they were scrumptious! Their flavor astonished me, as my friend had cooked them to perfection. He must have known what he was doing when it came to preparing this Middle Eastern delicacy – the taste was truly remarkable.
The air fryer falafel had a perfectly crisp outer layer and an incredibly soft, delectably flavorful interior. I couldn’t help but keep popping them into my mouth one after the other! Don told me that he’d been trying out different techniques to make falafel in the air fryer. Eventually, he managed to come up with the ideal recipe.
As the game commenced, we could feel the electrifying atmosphere filling the living room. All of those present were eagerly anticipating what was sure to be a thrilling match and could barely contain their enthusiasm for their beloved team. The spectators had high hopes that this would be a victorious night for their side and prepared themselves to vociferously cheer them on each step of the way. However, things suddenly became more difficult when my Don’s baby awoke and began to cry. The crying was so loud that it completely drowned out the commentary on the television, making it virtually impossible to discern what was being said.
Despite the disruption, Don was trying to soothe the baby and everyone made an effort to continue with the game regardless of the disturbance. Despite attempts to soothe and comfort the baby, his crying persisted for some time, creating an uncomfortable and tense atmosphere in the room. It was evident that the sound of his cry was stirring up a considerable amount of distress amongst those present.
After the game ended and my team had won, I was feeling elated. My spirits were high and I couldn’t help but think about the delectable crispy air fryer falafel I had enjoyed before that moment. The flavor of it still lingered in my mind, reminding me how exquisite it was. I looked over to Don and implored him for the recipe. He attempted to refuse at first, but I wouldn’t accept a refusal. My insistence eventually paid off and he gave in, divulging the delectable recipe to me. In the end, he had no option but to succumb and provide me with the recipe; there was simply no other way around it.
As I departed from Don’s house, I was feeling a plethora of complex emotions. On one hand, I was happy to have acquired the recipe for those luscious crispy air fryer falafel. I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm at the prospect of being able to reproduce it in my kitchen. On the other hand, the disruption of the atmosphere because of the baby cry ruined some of the enjoyment of the game.
Overall, it was a truly remarkable evening spent in the company of dear friends. Additionally, we savored delicious food and watched an awesome match. However, I discovered that even with the most meticulous preparation, unforeseen circumstances can still arise to disrupt our plans. And in the end, it’s important to focus on the things that truly matter and make the most of the situation.
So here is the air fryer recipe. Don’t let Don know that I’m sharing this here 🙂
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of dried chickpeas (do not use canned or cooked)
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 cup of parsley leaves (stems removed)
- 3/4 cup of cilantro leaves (stems removed)
- 1/2 cup of dill (stems removed)
- 1 small onion, quartered
- 7-8 peeled garlic cloves
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon of cumin
- 1 tablespoon of coriander
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds
How to make these crispy air fryer falafel?
- Soak the chickpeas in a large bowl of water with a generous amount of baking soda for an 18 to 24-hour period. Once this time has elapsed, make sure to drain them thoroughly and discard any excess water.
- Place the soaked chickpeas in a food processor along with herbs, onions, garlic, and spices. Blend all the ingredients until they are coarsely processed.
- Transfer the mixture to a container and store it in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or better yet, leave it to rest overnight.
- Before the cooking process begins, stir baking powder and toasted sesame seeds into the mixture.
- Using wet hands to prevent sticking, form the mixture into patties that measure approximately 1/2 inch thick.
- Using olive oil as a lubricant, lightly coat the patties and make sure not to overcrowd them, then place the patties in your air fryer basket. At a temperature of 400F, cook the patties for five minutes on one side and then examine the color. To achieve a golden-brown finish, cook the patties for an additional 3-5 minutes on one side and then flip and cook the other side until desired results are obtained.
Try the air fryer falafel recipe at home. They will be perfect for dinner, birthday parties, or any other social event. They will be delicious not only during Super Bowl 🙂
