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- 1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight - 1 small onion, roughly chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1 teaspoon ground coriander - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 cup Greek yogurt - 1/2 cucumber, grated with excess water squeezed out - 1 clove garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - Salt to taste - Paprika for color - Fresh herbs for a bright touch - Warm pita bread for serving - Fresh greens for a healthy base These simple ingredients make a big impact. The chickpeas give a rich flavor. Fresh herbs add brightness. Using Greek yogurt in the tzatziki brings creaminess. Each part works together for a tasty meal. Enjoying falafel with tzatziki feels like a special treat. Don't skip the garnishes; they add a lovely finish! Start by soaking 1 cup of dried chickpeas overnight. This helps them soften. Next, place the soaked chickpeas in a food processor. Add in 1 small roughly chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Also, add 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pulse the mixture until it is coarse but well mixed. You want it to have some texture for a great bite. Now, use your hands to take about 2 tablespoons of the falafel mixture. Roll it into a ball or flatten it slightly into a patty. Repeat this until you shape all the mixture into about 12-15 falafel balls. Keep them uniform for even cooking. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes. This step ensures even cooking. Lightly brush or spray the falafel balls with olive oil. This helps them crisp up nicely. Place the falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If needed, work in batches. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy. While the falafel cooks, it’s time to make the tzatziki. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup of Greek yogurt with 1/2 grated cucumber. Make sure to squeeze out any excess water from the cucumber. Add 1 minced garlic clove and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Stir everything together until it’s well blended. Taste and add salt as needed. Once the falafel is cooked, serve them warm. Place them next to the creamy tzatziki on a platter or in individual bowls. This lets everyone scoop and enjoy. For a fun touch, you can garnish with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh herbs. Serve with warm pita bread or over fresh greens for a delightful meal. To get the right texture, soak dried chickpeas overnight. This makes them soft. Blend the chickpeas with onion and herbs until coarse, not smooth. You want some chunkiness for a good bite. Add baking powder to help them fluff up while cooking. This mix should hold together but not be too wet. If it feels too soft, add a bit of flour to bind it. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for even cooking. Lightly coat falafel balls with olive oil. This helps them crisp up. Avoid overcrowding the basket. Cook in batches if needed. Shake the basket halfway through cooking. This ensures all sides turn golden brown. Cooking time is key; aim for 12-15 minutes for the best results. For a tasty tzatziki, start with quality Greek yogurt. Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess water. This keeps the sauce from being runny. Mix in minced garlic and fresh lemon juice for a zing. Adjust salt to your taste. For extra flavor, add fresh dill or mint. These herbs uplift the sauce and pair well with falafel. {{image_4}} You can change the flavor of your falafel by adding different herbs and spices. Try adding mint, dill, or even a pinch of chili powder for heat. If you like a nutty taste, mix in some tahini. You can also swap chickpeas for other beans like black beans or lentils. Each bean brings a unique taste and texture. This makes falafel fun and new every time! Tzatziki is creamy and cool, but you can try other dips too. Hummus is a great choice and adds a rich flavor. You might enjoy a spicy harissa sauce for a kick. Another option is a simple garlic yogurt dip, mixing yogurt with garlic and lemon. Each dip can change the whole meal! Serve your falafel in many ways. You can place them in pita bread with fresh veggies. This makes a tasty sandwich. Another idea is to serve them over a salad with greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers. You can also make a falafel bowl with grains like quinoa or rice. This gives you a hearty meal! To store leftover falafel, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to store them longer, freeze the falafel. Wrap each falafel in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They will last for about three months in the freezer. After making tzatziki, store it in a clean, airtight container. Place it in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for about four days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze tzatziki. Just keep in mind that the texture might change slightly once thawed. To reheat falafel, use the air fryer for the best results. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the falafel in the basket and cook for about 5-7 minutes. This will make them crispy again. If using the microwave, heat them for about 30 seconds, but they may not be as crispy. Enjoy your falafel warm with tzatziki! Yes, you can use canned chickpeas. Just rinse and drain them well. This change saves time, but dried chickpeas give a better texture. If you use canned chickpeas, cut back on the water used to soak. If your falafel mix is too wet, add a bit of flour. Use chickpea flour or regular flour. Start with a tablespoon and mix. Check the texture; it should hold together but not be sticky. Yes, you can make it gluten-free. Just use gluten-free flour in the mixture. Chickpea flour works well as a substitute. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, making it simple to adapt. Tzatziki lasts about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If it separates, just stir it before serving. Falafel and tzatziki go great with pita bread or fresh veggies. You can also serve them on a salad. Try pairing with rice or quinoa for a complete meal. They are tasty in wraps too! Making air fryer falafel is easy and fun. You learned about the key ingredients, like chickpeas and herbs. I shared step-by-step instructions to guide you through the cooking process. We discussed tips to achieve perfect texture and ways to enhance your tzatziki flavor. You also discovered some tasty variations and smart storage tips. By trying these recipes and tips, you can enjoy delicious, homemade falafel and tzatziki anytime. It's time to get cooking!

Air Fryer Falafel with Tzatziki

Satisfy your cravings with these Crispy Air Fryer Falafel served with Creamy Tzatziki! This delicious, easy-to-follow recipe uses simple ingredients like chickpeas, herbs, and spices to create perfect falafel that are crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside. Paired with homemade tzatziki, it’s a tasty twist on a classic. Click to explore the full recipe and impress your family with this healthy dish! Enjoy every bite!
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Ingredients
  

1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight

1 small onion, roughly chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Tzatziki:

1 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 cucumber, grated with excess water squeezed out

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Salt to taste

Instructions
 

Prepare the Falafel Mixture: In a food processor, combine the soaked chickpeas, roughly chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, ground cumin, ground coriander, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Pulse the mixture until it is coarse and well combined, but ensure it retains some texture for the best bite.

    Form the Falafel Balls: Use your hands to take about 2 tablespoons of the falafel mixture and roll it into a ball or flatten it slightly into a patty shape. Repeat this process until you have shaped all the mixture into falafel balls (about 12-15).

      Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for approximately 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

        Coat the Falafel: Lightly brush or spray the formed falafel balls with olive oil. This will enhance their ability to crisp up beautifully during air frying.

          Air Fry the Falafel: Arrange the coated falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to work in batches depending on your air fryer size. Cook the falafel for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking, until they are golden brown and have a crispy exterior.

            Prepare the Tzatziki: While the falafel is cooking, create the tzatziki. In a medium mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, the grated cucumber (ensuring excess water is squeezed out), minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together until well blended, then taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

              Serve: Once the falafel is perfectly cooked, serve them warm alongside the creamy tzatziki in a platter or individual bowls, allowing everyone to scoop and enjoy.

                Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

                  - Presentation Tips: Consider garnishing the falafel with a sprinkle of paprika or fresh herbs for a pop of color. Serve with warm pita bread or over a bed of fresh greens for a delightful meal.