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Easy Falafel Bites [Air Fryer | Oven]

  • Author: Nancylynn
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes plus soaking time
  • Cook Time: 10-18 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes +soak
  • Yield: 20ish falafel bites 1x
  • Category: Vegetarian | Vegan
  • Method: Air Fryer | Oven
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Description

Crispy, easy, delicious Falafel bites made in your Air Fryer or baked in your oven and drizzled with a homemade  Tzatziki dressing .  The perfect meatless dinner or lunch option. 

Ingredients

Scale

For the Falafel

  • 1 cup dried chickpeas (**soaked for 24 hours, or up to two days) 
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup shallots, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup parsley (about 1 bunch), large stems removed and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup cilantro (about 1 bunch), large stems removed and roughly chopped
  • ½ tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ –1 tsp salt
  • 2 T gluten-free flour
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 T lemon juice (or more if needed)
  • Avocado oil or spray (can sub another oil)

For the Tzatziki dressing 

  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cucumber, seeded, finely grated and drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • Himalayan salt and freshly cracked black pepper

For the Bowls 

  • Cucumbers
  • Spinach
  • Tomato
  • Feta cheese
  • Kalamata olives
  • Extra fresh herbs from above
  • Slices of lemon

Instructions

Air Fryer

  1. Combine falafel ingredients, except for oil, in your food processor.  Pulse for 2 minutes or until blended (it looks a little like guacamole when it’s ready.)
  2. Refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes. While the mixture is chilling, blend ingredients for the homemade Tzatziki dressing. 
  3. Using a melon baller, scoop mixture into small falafel bites.  Optional – line your air fryer with parchment to avoid sticking. 
  4. Spray or brush bites with avocado oil and Air Fry 8-9 bites at a time on 375 for 10-14 minutes, shaking or turning halfway. 
  5. Serve with dressing and feta cheese or in a “bowl” with veggies.

Oven

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
  2. Combine falafel ingredients, except for oil, in your food processor.  Pulse for 2 minutes or until blended…it looks a little like guacamole when it’s ready.
  3. Refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes. While the mixture is chilling, blend ingredients for the homemade tzatziki dressing. 
  4. Using a melon baller, scoop mixture into small falafel bites and place in rows on sheet pan
  5. Spray or brush with avocado oil and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until outside is crispy!
  6. Serve with dressing and feta cheese or in a “bowl” with veggies.

Equipment

Notes

**After the 24 hour soak time, the chick peas will still be hard!  This is normal.  Also, if you end up running out of time (my life), these can still soak for longer than a day.

21 Day Fix Containers:  Regular Plan –  1 yellow plus 1/3 red for Tzatziki dressing, plus any “bowl” containers.  Vegan Plan – 1 red or 1 yellow for Falafel.  Sub 1 orange of Tahini in place of Tzatziki, if desired.

WW Blue Points:  0 points (using cooking oil spray and FF Greek yogurt).  Feta Cheese and Olives would be extra.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5 falafel bites

Keywords: falafel, air fryer falafel, gluten-free falafel, baked falafel, healthy falafel, falafel recipe, easy falafel recipe

Find it online: https://confessionsofafitfoodie.com/easy-falafel-bites-air-fryer-oven/