1 cup (1 oz) firmly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 cup (1 oz) firmly packed cilantro leaves
6 green onions
sliced
3 cloves garlic
crushed
1 tsp flaky sea salt
1½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Cooking oil spray
For the spicy feta sauce
8 oz feta cheese
crumbled
1 clove garlic
crushed
½ tsp dried oregano
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
plus extra to serve
¼ cup (2 fl oz) olive oil
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp water
To serve
Salad greens
Instructions
1To make the falafel, rinse the chickpeas and put them in a large glass or ceramic bowl. Cover with cold water. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature overnight.
2Rinse the chickpeas and drain well in a fine mesh sieve.
3Combine the chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, green onions, garlic, salt and spices in the bowl of a food processor. Process until finely ground, stopping to scrape down the side of the bowl as necessary.
4Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes , (this releases the starch from the chickpeas, making them easier to shape).
5Scoop two heaped tablespoons of falafel mixture and gently shape into a slightly flattened ball. Repeat to make 12.
6Place the falafel in the AIR FRY basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Spray with the oil to coat. Turn the falafel over and spray the other side.
7Preheat the oven. Select AIRFRY/SUPER CONVECTION/450°F/15 minutes and press start.
8Once preheated, place the basket into the AIR FRY position and cook for 15 minutes until lightly browned and crispy.
9To make the spicy feta sauce, combine the feta, garlic, oregano and pepper flakes in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the feta is smooth, stopping to scrape down the side of the bowl as necessary.
10With the machine running, slowly add the oil and process until incorporated.
11Combine the water and lemon juice in a small bowl. With the machine running, add the lemon juice mixture and process until a sauce forms. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
12Spoon the feta sauce onto serving plates, sprinkle with pepper flakes. Top with falafel and serve with dressed salad leaves.