Air Fryer Frozen Falafel
Air fryer frozen falafel come out with a crisp, deep-golden crust and a soft, herby middle after just 10 minutes at 180°C, straight from the freezer. There is no thawing, no deep-frying and almost no washing up. Pile them into warm pitta, scatter them over a salad or serve them as a snack with a cool dip, and you have lunch sorted in about quarter of an hour.
- Total
- 16 min
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 13 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 420kcal
Pre-fried or raw? Check the pack
Falafel are chickpea patties from the Middle East, and in Egypt they are often made with broad beans. Most supermarket frozen falafel are fried before freezing, so the air fryer only has to heat them and crisp the outside. If your pack says the falafel are uncooked, add 2–3 minutes and make sure the middle is steaming hot.
Air fryer frozen falafel method
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180°C for . Keep the falafel in the freezer until the basket is hot.
- Oil lightly Spray or brush the frozen falafel with the teaspoon of oil. A thin coating is enough, as most are fried before freezing.
- Arrange Place the falafel in a single layer with a little space between each one. About 12 balls fit in a 4–5.5 litre basket.
- Cook Air fry at 180°C for , shaking the basket or turning them gently with tongs after . They are ready when the crust is deep golden and the middle is steaming hot, so break one open to check.
- Rest and serve Leave the falafel in the basket for , then serve with the tzatziki.
What to serve with falafel
Tuck them into warm pitta with salad and tzatziki, as in falafel in pitta bread, or serve them in a bowl with salad leaves and cucumber. If you want a hot side, air fryer frozen vegetables cook in a similar time. Swap the tzatziki for hummus or a tahini dressing if you prefer, as both suit the crisp crust, and a squeeze of lemon helps cut through the richness.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Frozen Falafel
- The falafel are dry and crumbly on the outside.
- They have cooked too hot or too long. Next time cook at 160°C for 12 minutes, and start checking after 8 minutes.
- The falafel break apart when you turn them.
- Wait until the crust has set after about 5 minutes, then use tongs rather than shaking hard.
- The falafel come out soft and pale.
- Overcrowding is the usual cause. Cook in two batches so the air can reach every side, and brush any frost off the surface before oiling.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Frozen Falafel
How long do you cook frozen falafel in an air fryer?
10 minutes at 180°C, shaking halfway, plus 3 minutes to preheat. Large falafel can take 12–14 minutes.
Do you need to defrost falafel before air frying?
No, cook them straight from the freezer. Thawed falafel are soft and tend to crumble when they hit the hot basket.
Do you need oil for air fryer frozen falafel?
Only a little. About 1 teaspoon across the batch gives an even crust. Leave it out if the pack says no oil is needed.
Can you cook frozen falafel in the oven?
Yes. Bake them on a tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway, or follow the instructions on the pack.
Are frozen falafel vegan?
Usually, as they are made from chickpeas, herbs, spices and vegetable oil. Check the label for egg or yoghurt, and for wheat if you avoid gluten.
How did you like the recipe?
4.7 / 5 · 77 ratings
