For those who love fried foods but are trying to maintain a healthy diet, air frying is becoming increasingly popular. Air frying is a cooking method that uses hot air circulation to cook food instead of submerging it in oil. This technology allows for texture and flavor similar to deep-frying with less oil or no oil at all, making it a healthier alternative. MORE AIRFRYER RECIPES
Falafel, a popular Middle Eastern dish consisting of ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices formed into balls or patties and traditionally deep-fried, can now be prepared using the air fryer method. Not only does air frying falafel provide the same crispy texture as deep-frying with less oil, but it also offers additional health benefits.
Introducing Falafel
Falafel is believed to have originated in Egypt over a thousand years ago and has since become a staple food across the Middle East. It is commonly served as street food or as part of a mezze platter alongside hummus and tabbouleh.
The traditional method of preparing falafel involves soaking dried chickpeas overnight before grinding them with herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or dill, garlic, onion, cumin seed powder and coriander seed powder until they form into balls or patties. These are then typically deep-fried in vegetable oil until crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside.
Air Frying as an Alternative
With its health benefits like reducing calorie count by 70-80% when compared to traditional deep frying methods and cutting back on unhealthy saturated fats caused by cooking oils at high temperatures; it’s no surprise that many people are turning towards air frying their favorite fried foods. Air frying is also more convenient, as the cleanup process is much easier and it produces less mess than deep-frying.
When it comes to falafel, air frying offers a healthier alternative to deep-frying without sacrificing the taste and texture. By using an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and fluffy.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about the oil temperature or if there’s enough oil to submerge all of your falafel evenly because there’s no need for oil at all in an air fryer. Air frying provides a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying methods that helps reduce calorie intake and unhealthy fats.
And with this method, we can still enjoy our favorite Middle Eastern dish – falafel – without sacrificing taste or texture. In the following sections of this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make air fryer falafel along with other benefits that come along with this cooking method.
What is falafel?
Falafel is a vegetarian dish that originated in the Middle East and has become increasingly popular around the world. This tasty treat is made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices that are formed into small balls or patties. Falafel is often served inside pita bread with salad, vegetables, and sauces such as tahini or hummus.
Provide a brief history of falafel and its origins in the Middle East
Falafel’s exact origins are unclear, but it’s believed to have been invented by Copts (Egyptian Christians) during the time of the pharaohs. The dish then spread to other parts of the Middle East, where it became a popular street food.
Today, falafel is considered a staple food in countries such as Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. It has also gained popularity in Western countries due to its delicious taste and health benefits.
Find more middle eastern recipes to adapt for the AirFryer here
Describe the ingredients used in traditional falafel, including chickpeas, herbs and spices
Traditional falafel usually contains mashed chickpeas (garbanzo beans), onions, garlic cloves, fresh parsley leaves (or cilantro), cumin powder coriander powder. These ingredients are mixed together with flour until they form a thick paste-like mixture that can be shaped into balls or patties. Some variations of falafel include additional ingredients like red pepper flakes for heat or fava beans instead of chickpeas for a slightly different flavor profile.
Explain how falafel is typically prepared by deep-frying
Traditionally made falafels were deep-fried in hot oil until they turned golden brown on all sides. While this cooking method results in crispy exterior texture and perfect softness inside it also means high-calorie intake due to the amount of oil used. However, deep frying is not the only way to cook falafel.
Nowadays, people use different cooking methods like baking and air-frying. Deep-frying makes falafel crispy because as the balls or patties are being fried, the outer layer becomes crisp while the inside remains soft and fluffy.
The oil also helps cook the chickpea mixture evenly throughout. While traditional deep-fried falafel is still widely enjoyed in many parts of the world, air fryer and baked versions are gaining popularity due to their healthier cooking methods.
How to Make Air Fryer Falafel
A Healthy and Delicious Recipe
Falafel is a tasty Middle Eastern dish that is usually deep-fried, making it high in calories and fat. However, by using an air fryer machine instead of the traditional deep-frying method, you can enjoy a healthier version of this classic dish without sacrificing taste or texture. In this section, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to make air fryer falafel using an air fryer machine.
Ingredients Needed
Before starting the recipe, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients:
- 1 can of chickpeas (drained)
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/4 cup flour.
Preparing and Blending the Ingredients
Firstly, preheat your air fryer at 375 F for about five minutes. While it’s heating up: – Add chickpeas into a food processor
– Blend until they turn into small chunks – Next add onion and garlic
– Blend again for few seconds – Lastly add parsley cumin powder and coriander powder
– Blend everything together – Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl
– Now sprinkle flour over mixture – Mix everything well
The mixture should now be firm enough to form small balls that are around one inch in diameter. Place each ball in your air fryer basket lined with parchment paper or non-stick spray.
Space them out evenly so that they cook evenly as well. Cook your falafel balls at high heat (375 F) for around fifteen minutes or until they’re golden brown on the outside with crispy texture.
Make sure to flip once in between to cook both sides evenly. Once the falafels are done, remove from basket and enjoy them with your preferred accompaniments like pita bread, hummus, or cucumber salad.
Benefits of Air Frying Falafel
A Healthier Alternative to Deep-Frying
Air frying falafel is a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying. When you deep-fry falafel, you need to use a significant amount of oil.
This oil is then absorbed by the falafel balls, making them greasy and high in calories. On the other hand, air frying requires little or no oil, which means your falafel will have significantly fewer calories and less fat without compromising its taste.
Crispy Texture with Fewer Calories and Less Fat
One of the most significant advantages of air frying falafel is that it produces crispy texture with fewer calories and less fat content than deep-fried falafel. When you air fry your falafel instead of deep-frying it, the hot air circulating around the food cooks it evenly on all sides and produces an irresistible crunchy exterior while maintaining a juicy interior.
Other Benefits
In addition to being a healthier option than traditional deep-fried falafels, air frying has other benefits that make it an attractive cooking method. For one thing, air frying allows for faster cooking times than baking in an oven. It also eliminates the need for excessive use of oils or fats that could otherwise compromise your health.
Another benefit is that air fryers are easy to clean after use since they don’t require extensive manual cleaning like regular ovens or stovetops do. Using an air fryer can help reduce kitchen odors since there’s no smoke produced during cooking like there would be when using traditional methods such as deep-fat frying.
Conclusion
Air frying provides a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fat cooking methods for preparing delicious dishes like falafels. By reducing calorie intake and fat content, air frying can help you stay healthy while enjoying your favorite foods.
Furthermore, air frying provides a quick and easy way to prepare meals without sacrificing taste or texture. With faster cooking times and easy-to-clean appliances, air frying is an excellent choice for those who want to save time in the kitchen.
By air-frying falafels, you get to enjoy all the delicious flavors without compromising your health. So why not give it a try and see how it works for you?
