A few weeks ago I posted my vegetarian Asian-inspired Falafel Balls and had made so many of these crispy beauties that I decided to create a yummy Air Fryer Falafel Bowl with the leftovers. Love that!
Beautiful and vibrant, this Air Fryer Falafel Bowl is bursting with flavor from the Falafels to the Red Beet Hummus to the Asian Slaw to the pickled red onions!
How to assemble this
It ain't brain surgery! Just get all of your ingredients in order and pile them around the star of the bowl: the Air Fryer Falafel Balls!
For this specific falafel bowl, I used fresh avocado slices ('cause I freaking love avocados!)🥑, some pickled red onions, spicy Asian slaw with nuoc cham dressing, red beet hummus, and pita points. These are all very easy recipes you can find on the blog (follow the links).
You are not obligated to use these specific ingredients! That's what I love so much about these bowls. I grab whatever salads, fresh ingredients, or dips I have on hand and create something new each time!
I made my falafel balls in the air fryer. Get this super easy recipe here: Air Fryer Falafel Balls
Even if you don't use this Red Beet Hummus recipe in this falafel bowl, you're going to want this dip on hand for your next picnic or dinner party!
My spicy Asian Slaw with Nuoc Cham Dressing will knock your flavor socks off! I use this slaw with everything!
You can find this Pickled Red Onion recipe inside the Asian Slaw recipe. You'll want to have this on hand in your fridge. Great for sandwiches too!
Grab whatever salads, fresh ingredients, or dips you have on hand and create something new each time!
TIPS & TRICKS
- You need to soak the dried chickpeas in water for at least 20 to 24 hours. 24 hours is ideal. There are no shortcuts here! Using canned chickpeas will not work, they are too mushy! Once soaked the chickpeas with double in size when ready.
- I like to use a small cookie scoop so that the falafel balls come out uniform. The perfect size is 1 ½ to 2 inches in size.
- If the mixture is too wet, add a little more chickpea flour, but not too much or the falafels will come out dry. You can squeeze out the extra liquid as well.
- Spray the falafel balls with cooking spray which will make them golden brown and crispy when cooked in the air fryer!
- Store leftover falafel balls in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can freeze the leftovers in a large baggie and reheat.
WANT MORE?
If you like this recipe, you’re going to love my Grilled Miso Shrimp Garden Salad! It's so colorful and full of flavor. You're going to love the miso dressing that goes on top!
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Air Fryer Falafel Bowl
This light and flavorful Air Fryer Falafel Bowl has everything you need for a healthy summer salad! Crispy air-fried falafels, red beet hummus, Asian slaw, pickled red onions, and avocados are the perfect combo!
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
For the Falafels:
- 2 cups dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans), soaked for 24 hours
- 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 2 red Thai chili peppers, seeded and diced
- ¾ cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (with stems)
- 1 tablespoon chickpea flour (garbanzo bean flour)
- 2 tablespoons *Falafel seasoning
- Avocado oil spray (or canola)
*Falafel Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
Other Bowl Ingredients:
- 2 large avocados, pitted and sliced
- Red Beet Hummus (link to ingredients)
- Asian Slaw with Nuoc Cham Dressing (link to ingredients)
- Pickled Red Onions (link to ingredients)
- 2 large pita breads, sliced into triangles
Instructions
- Soak the dried chickpeas in a large bowl with plenty of water for at least 20 to 24 hours to soften. They will double in size when done.
- Place the chickpeas and the rest of the ingredients in a large food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarse but not puréed. Place the mixture in a large bowl.
- Using a small scoop (or your hands), shape each falafel into about 1 ½ inch balls and place on a tray to prepare for cooking. Add another teaspoon or so of the chickpea flour if the mixture is too wet.
- Place about 9 falafel balls into your air fryer and spray the tops of the balls with the avocado or canola oil. This helps to brown them. Air fry the falafel balls at 370 degrees for 15 minutes. They should be nice and golden brown and crispy. Repeat the air frying until you’ve fried around 30 to 34 falafel balls.
- Store leftover falafel balls in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can freeze the leftovers in a large baggie and reheat.
Notes
- You need to soak the dried chickpeas in water for at least 20 to 24 hours. 24 hours is ideal. There are no shortcuts here! Using canned chickpeas will not work, they are too mushy! Once soaked the chickpeas with double in size when ready.
- I like to use a small cookie scoop so that the falafel balls come out uniform. The perfect size is 1 ½ to 2 inches in size.
- If the mixture is too wet, add a little more chickpea flour, but not too much or the falafels will come out dry. You can squeeze out the extra liquid as well.
- Spray the falafel balls with cooking spray which will make them golden brown and crispy when cooked!
- Store leftover falafel balls in the refrigerator for up to two days. You can freeze the leftovers in a large baggie and reheat.
- The prep time does not include the soaking of the chickpeas.
- The Nutritional Facts can be found in the Crispy Air Fryer Falafel Balls recipe. Other nutritional facts in this recipe can be found in the individual links listed in the ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Salad
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4.1 g
- Sodium: 673.5 mg
- Fat: 16.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36.7 g
- Protein: 8.9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Ramona says
Vibrant, fresh looking and nutritious bowl, I love everything about this bowl, amazing!
Asian Caucasian says
I love putting these easy Buddah bowls together, especially when I already have the ingredients ready to be used up!
Julie says
I seriously need to get an air fryer just to make this! What a delish idea- falafel really is the BEST.
Asian Caucasian says
I finally got an air fryer and I'm so happy I did! I love fried food but stay away from it because it's so caloric. Everything I've made in my air fryer so far, like these falafels, taste just as good, but without the grease!
Susan says
You may have just pushed me off the "should I/should I not buy" an air fryer fence. I love falafel but don't love frying food. Thanks for the inspiration!
Asian Caucasian says
There's so much you can do with an air fryer! I love mine, so I'm saying "yes" to buying one!
Beth Neels says
I just love my air fryer and am always looking for new and different recipes! I haven't had falafel in ages, so I can't wait to try this!
Asian Caucasian says
Thanks, Beth! This is a great repurpose of the falafel balls! I had so many that they worked beautifully in this yummy Buddah bowl!
Sandra Laurie says
Never thought to use falafels this way! What a great salad bowl! Love the beet hummus too!
Asian Caucasian says
I had so many falafels left over that this was the perfect solution, a healthy salad bowl with all my faves!
Francine Malken says
All the best in one bowl! I love falafels and this bowl. Yum yum yum! 😋
Asian Caucasian says
Yes! These bowls are filled with so much goodness. I love repurposing recipes!