I can’t get over how much I love my air fryer.  I was skeptical at first, but the food is so delicious and I don’t feel guilty for eating it!  These falafel bowls are so versatile that you can’t go wrong.  They work great as a dinner or even an appetizer/snack for a party or a lunch!

Falafels in the air fryer taste like they’ve been deep fried: they have a crispy outside and and soft and delicious inside. It’s amazing how the air fryer uses hot air and you don’t need oil to get the same taste!

I don’t know about you, but I have some picky family and friends.  Some are gluten free, others doesn’t like meat, some like spicy food, some don’t, and the list goes on.  So, any time I get the chance to make a flexible dish that people can “create their own,” I do it!  These falafel bowls fit the bill. 

AND, they are a great dish for the new year because they are a great healthy menu item as well. These falafels can be modified to practically any diet or preference (if you are gf use gf flour and use gf pita, if you like things spicier, add a pinch of cayenne).

The air fryer is quickly becoming one of my favorite kitchen utensils because Nick and I have a guilty pleasure of fried foods – I admit it (I mean fries, crispy breaded chicken, etc.)!  With the air fryer, it’s so easy to replicate those fried meals we love without the oil, while still tasting delicious.  If falafel isn’t your favorite, I’ve also made a perfect weeknight meal – crispy cheesy chicken – and it’s only 5 Ingredients (I literally have to stop myself from eating more than one piece of chicken, it’s that good!)

This air fryer falafel bowl recipe comes together in a flash.  So, how do you make Air Fryer Falafel Bowls?  A few quick steps and you’re on your way to a delicious healthy meal.

1. Mix up the falafel batter and roll into balls
2. Place into air fryer and cook for 10 minutes
3. Arrange falafel bowl with ingredients you like (I love doing tomato and cucumber slices, pita wedges, fresh herbs, and Greek yogurt – these bowls are also incredibly delicious when served with tzatziki).
4. Enjoy!

Seriously, how much easier does it get?!  Are you resolving to eat healthier this year?  I feel like I make this promise to myself about 10 times throughout the year.  With recipes like this, it’s easier to do (also check out my list of healthy recipes for the new year for more ideas!)

Yield: 4

Air Fryer Falafel Bowls

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Air fryer falafel bowls are super easy and delicious and because they're made in the air fryer, this vegetarian recipe is healthier than the fried alternative!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• For the falafels:
• 1 can (15 1/2 oz) chick peas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup self rising flour (or 1/4 cup ap flour and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and quartered
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• For the bowls (for 4 servings)
• 4 rounds pita bread, cut into small triangles
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 1/2 large seedless cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup Greek yogurt*
• *or tzatziki sauce, about 2tbs-1/4 cup per bowl)
• chopped parsley for sprinkling

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a food processor combine ingredients for the falafels (chick peas, self rising flour, parsley, garlic clove, cumin, and salt). Process for 15-25 seconds, until no more whole beans can be seen (the mixture can be coarse and doesn't have to be a smooth paste).
2. Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, form 1.5 tablespoon balls of the falafel batter, rolling the batter between your hands to form balls.
3. Spray the bottom of an air fryer with cooking spray and place falafel balls in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer.
4. Cook the falafel at 350 for 10 minutes, rotating the falafel halfway through cooking. You can spray the falafel themselves with a little cooking spray for a nicer looking/crunchier finish.
5. While the falafel are cooking, prepare the other bowl ingredients.
6. When the falafel are done cooking, assemble the bowls: divide the falafel between 4 bowls and serve with pita bread triangles, tomato slices, cucumber, greek yogurt and top with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and enjoy!

Other cooking instructions:

If you don't have an air fryer, the falafel can be baked on a cooking spray lined sheet pan at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, or they can be fried in canola oil (bring 1-2 inches of canola oil to a slow boil in a deep saucepan or pot, carefully lower in the falafel balls and fry for 2 minutes, then flip with tongs and cook for another minute, or until balls are golden brown).

Assemble bowls as instructed.

Notes

If serving hungry adults, I'd suggest doubling the falafel ingredients, the recipe makes about 2-3 falafel per serving, the entire recipe makes 8-12 falafels (depending on the size you roll them), there have been times when I have eaten 4 falafels myself because they're so good.