Healthy Vegan Falafel Crispy, Herby, and Air-Fried to Perfection

Looking for a quick, healthy, and delicious recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping? You’re going to love this Crispy, Herby, and Healthy Vegan Falafel! Air-fried to perfection with minimal oil, these falafel patties are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with fresh herbs and spices. Whether you’re planning meals for the week, filling pita pockets for lunch boxes, or just craving a plant-based Mediterranean dish, this recipe is a must-try.

Why You’ll Love This Herby, Healthy Falafel:

• Perfect for Meal Planning and Busy Weeknights: Life gets hectic, especially with back-to-school season in full swing. This falafel recipe is ideal for meal prepping. You can make a big batch, freeze them, and simply air-fry whenever you need a quick meal. With minimal effort, you’ll have a healthy, homemade dinner on the table in minutes..
• Kid-Friendly and Lunch Box Approved: With September here, it’s time to think about school lunches. These falafel patties fit perfectly into pita pockets and sandwiches, making them a great option for lunch boxes. They’re packed with plant-based protein and are a nutritious alternative to traditional lunch options. Just maybe replace the chili powder with sweet paprika if prepared for the kids.
• Crispy on the Outside, Tender on the Inside: These air-fried falafels offer a satisfying crunch on the outside while staying soft and tender on the inside. Who can resist such a perfect combo?
• Herby, Flavorful, and Fresh: Packed with fresh parsley, mint, cilantro, garlic, and spices, these falafel patties are bursting with flavor. The combination of herbs and spices creates a vibrant, herby taste that will keep you coming back for more. Plus, using minimal oil keeps the flavors clean and light.
• Low Fat and Healthier: Traditional falafel is deep-fried, but this recipe uses an air fryer to achieve that same crispy texture with much less oil. This means you get all the deliciousness of falafel without the extra fat, making it a healthier option for you and your family.
• Versatile and Easy to Customize: These falafel patties are incredibly versatile. Serve them in pita pockets, on top of a salad, or as a snack with your favorite dip. You can even adjust the spices and herbs to match your personal taste preferences. It’s a customizable recipe that you can make your own.

How to Make These Herby Falafel Patties

List of ingredients

• 1 cup Dry chickpeas
• 20 g Fresh parsley
• 10 g Other fresh herbs: Mint, dill, coriander (optional but you can be creative)
• 1 Onion 1 large or two small
• 2 Garlic cloves Grated
• 1 tsp Cumin Ground
• ½ tsp Turmeric Ground
• 1 tsp Cinnamon Ground
• ½ tsp Chili powder
• ¼ tsp Black pepper
• 1½ tsp Salt
• 1 tbsp Olive oil for the mixture
• 1 tsp Olive oil for greasing the silicon molds
• 2 tbsp Psyllium husk

Guidelines

Soak and Prepare the Chickpeas

• Soak the dry chickpeas in plenty of water for 48 to 72 hours. The chickpeas will absorb water and expand significantly. I usually start soaking them on Wednesday if I plan to make falafel on Saturday as part of the meal planning, and it works great.
• Check readiness: After soaking, the chickpeas should be plump and easy split when pressed between your fingers (see pictures below).
• Drain and Rinse: Once soaked, drain and rinse the chickpeas well. They are now ready to be ground and used in the falafel mix.
• Grind Chickpeas: Transfer the soaked chickpeas to a food processor. Pulse until the chickpeas have a grainy texture (resembling coarse sand), but do not overprocess them into a paste.
• Transfer: Move the ground chickpeas into a large mixing bowl.

Prepare the Falafel Mixture

• Add the remaining ingredients: To the bowl with ground chickpeas, add the finely diced onion (brunoise), grated garlic cloves, finely chopped herbs, spices, a tablespoon of olive oil, and two tablespoons of psyllium husk.
• Mix by Hand: Using your hands, mix everything together until well combined. Ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Taste and adjust for salt or spiciness as per your liking.

Shape and Prep for Freezing

• Prepare Molds: Lightly grease silicone molds with about 1 teaspoon of olive oil. I am using one teaspoon to grease all, including the patties' tops.
• Form Patties: Take about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and form it into small patties with your hands.
• Place Patties: Place the formed patties into the greased molds.
• Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the tops of the patties with a bit of olive oil for extra crispiness.

Freeze and Store for Meal Planning

• Freeze: Freeze the falafel patties in the molds for at least 3 hours. This helps them hold their shape during air-frying, making them crispy on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.
• Store: Once frozen, you can transfer the patties to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be kept in the freezer for future use, making it easy to prepare meals on busy weeknights.

Cook in the Air Fryer

• Preheat Air Fryer: When ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 200°C (392°F).
• Air-Fry Patties: Place the frozen falafel patties in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Serve and Enjoy

• Remove the falafel from the air fryer and let it cool slightly.

Serving Suggestions

• In pita pockets: Stuff the falafel patties into warm pita pockets with lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of yogurt or tahini sauce.
• On a Salad: Add these crispy falafel patties on top of a fresh green salad for a nutritious and filling meal.
• As a Snack: Serve the falafel with a side of hummus or your favorite dip for a delicious and healthy snack.

Final Thoughts

This Crispy, Herby, and Healthy Vegan Falafel recipe is your go-to solution for a nutritious, easy, and flavorful meal. Perfect for meal prep, back-to-school lunches, or a quick weeknight dinner, these falafel patties are sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy the combination of crispy texture, fresh herbs, and low-fat content, all in one bite!

Start your September off right with this delicious recipe that’s both kid-friendly and adult-approved. Try it today, and see how easy healthy eating can be!

If you like this Crispy, Herby, and Healthy Vegan Falafel recipe give it a rating and review below! And, of course, tag me for the remake on Instagram.

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Enjoy!