Giant Falafel: A Bold Twist on a Mediterranean Classic
Take your love for falafel to a whole new level with our Giant Falafel recipe! This larger-than-life version of the classic Middle Eastern favourite is crispy on the outside, tender and flavourful on the inside, and packed with aromatic herbs and spices. Perfect as a main dish or a show-stopping appetiser, this giant falafel brings the delicious taste of traditional falafel in an exciting new form.
Using a combination of chickpeas, garlic, fresh herbs, and spices, the giant falafel is made in much the same way as its smaller counterpart but with an impressive twist. The Instant Pot or air fryer ensures it cooks evenly, resulting in a golden, crispy crust that seals in all the flavours and keeps the inside wonderfully moist and tender. Serve it alongside a fresh salad, a dollop of tahini or hummus, and some warm pita for a truly satisfying meal.
Ideal for sharing, this Giant Falafel is a fun and filling dish that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re entertaining friends or enjoying a family meal, it’s a creative way to bring a beloved classic to the table with a modern twist. Packed with plant-based goodness, this giant falafel is not only delicious but also a nourishing and wholesome option that everyone will enjoy.
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
20 minutes
Total Time:
30 minutes
Product:
Vortex Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 400 g tin chickpeas
- 1/2 red onion
- 25 g parsley
- 80 g courgette
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp self-raising flour/gluten-free flour
- 2 tbsp chia or ground flax seeds
Cucumber Salad
- 3 Mediterranean cucumbers or 1 English cucumber
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 25 g picked mint leaves
- Salt and pepper
Yoghurt Sauce
- 250 ml full cream yoghurt
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place all the falafel ingredients into a food processor and pulse everything until the mixture just comes together and the chickpeas are in loose, breadcrumb-sized pieces (do not make a puree!)
- Brush a baking tin (suitable size for your Air Fryer Basket) with a little oil then pour in the falafel mixture. Flatten with a spatula then brush the top of the giant falafel with more oil. Place the giant falalfel in the tin into the Air fryer.
- Select Air Fry and set the temperature to 185°C, and the time to 25 minutes. Ignore when prompted to add food and turn food.
- Cook until golden brown, and set.(Check after 20minutes as time will depend on falafel thickness)
- While the falafel cooks, make the seasoned yoghurt sauce and cucumber salad.
- Cucumber salad – Split the cucumbers in half down the middle, and use a teaspoon to remove the seeds. Cut the cucumber into bite sized pieces. Toss the cucumber with salt and set aside in a bowl. Finely slice the red onion, then place in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt, and squeeze over some lemon juice and set aside to pickle and soften. Pick the mint leaves from the stems.
- Yoghurt sauce – Mix the yoghurt with the lemon juice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Once the falafel is cooked, remove it from the air fryer basket to cool slightly.
- Drain the liquid from the salted cucumber and red onion, then toss the cucumber and onion together with the mint leaves, a little olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cut the giant falafel into wedges, then serve with lemony yogurt and cucumber salad.