Air Fryer Chickpea Fritters Recipe

These chickpea fritters are a powerhouse of flavor and nutrients. They are packed with Mediterranean spices and complimented with an avocado-lime sauce that is bright and balanced.

They are fantastic as an appetizer or transformed into a delicious veggie burger. No bun, no problem.

Wrap them up in lettuce leaves and drizzle with creamy sauce. They are a great source of fiber, protein, calcium and much more.  You’ll be surprised how easy they are to make and can be made in advance.  

With a ten-minute cook time you can meal prep these tasty fritters from freezer to air fryer.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time:  40 minutes

Yield: 6 Servings

What You’ll Need

• 1 can Chickpeas (drained)
• ¾ cup Textured Vegetable Protein (or breadcrumbs)
• 1 Egg
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 small onion (½ grated & ½ diced)
• 2 carrots both peeled (1 grated & 1 diced)
• 1 sweet potato (peeled and diced)
• 1 t Oregano
• 1t Coriander
• 1t Thyme
• 1t Turmeric
• 1t each salt & pepper 
• ½ t Ancho Chile Powder
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise 
• ½ lime (juiced)
• ½ avocado (pit and skin removed)
• ¼ cup packed cilantro 

Ingredient Notes

Chickpeas

This legume is high in protein and fiber. Chickpeas also known as Garbanzo beans are rich in plant protein and make a great base for this dish.

Chickpeas are a versatile ingredient with a mild taste and pair with a variety of flavors.

I chose to flavor up our fritters with some fantastic spices. I chose some mild Mediterranean spices like Oregano, Turmeric and paired with the smokiness of ancho chile powder.

You can buy dried chickpeas and cook yourself, but I choose the ease of canned chickpeas.

Just drain and you’re ready to use. The chickpea offers a sturdy, meat-like texture that is what makes this a great base as a veggie burger or served as a fritter for an appetizer.

Egg

The egg is used as the binder in this recipe. You can substitute for a flax egg, which we will explain in the substitutions. If it’s not necessary, I don’t recommend it. The egg works best. 

Carrots & Sweet Potatoes

Both the carrots and sweet potatoes deliver a subtle sweetness and a great texture to this dish.

I like to grate half of the carrot as too many diced ingredients tend to make them more able to fall apart. Grating the carrot also provide an element of moisture and they grate so wonderfully.

I used fresh heirloom carrots so mine are white. Any color will do. Carrots provide not only great flavor but are beneficial for your health.

The Sweet Potatoes also add sweetness and pair fantastic with the other ingredients. You can buy frozen sweet potatoes for this recipe or peel and dice fresh.

If using frozen sweet potatoes make sure to fully defrost before adding to the patties.

If you add them frozen it can impart too much moisture. You can also buy pre roasted sweet potatoes at some stores. This is a great time saver. 

TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein)

This is a great substitution for breadcrumbs.  If you are trying to be gluten free or just want a healthier option, this ingredient is your answer.

This is found at most health food stores. I believe Bob’s Red Mill makes the one I’m using.

You also can use regular breadcrumbs or Panko breadcrumbs for this recipe.  This ingredient is used as a filler.

Avocado

I’ve always felt avocado compliments a veggie burger best. This is the staple ingredient in the sauce.

Paired with fresh cilantro, the brightness of lime and the tang from the sour cream make a delicious sauce.

You can substitute yogurt, which we will discuss in substitutions. Leave the avocado, this is the star of the sauce. 

Sour Cream & Mayonnaise

I like this combination for the sauce. The Sour Cream provides a rich tang, and the mayonnaise gives the body. It of course is a paired combination for most sauces. 

How To Make It

Step 1:  Air Fry Sweet Potatoes

Peel and dice your sweet potato. Add the diced sweet potato to the air fryer. Spray the basket and sweet potato with nonstick cooking spray.

Set the temperature to 400°F for 10 minutes. Make sure your sweet potatoes are completely thawed if using frozen. (If using precooked sweet potatoes skip this step)

Step 2:  Make your Sauce

In a blender combine your avocado (pit and skin removed), sour cream, mayonnaise, lime (juiced), cilantro. Blend to smooth. Add sauce to bowl with tight fitted lid into refrigerator to set up. 

Step 3: Gather Your Ingredients 

Gather the ingredients for the chickpea fritters. Drain your chickpeas and rinse. Make sure to strain any extra liquid. 

Step 4:  Add Ingredients to Food Processor

Add chickpeas, TVP (or breadcrumbs), egg, and sweet potato (make sure it is cooled). Pulse until the ingredients have combined into a coarse texture. You might need to stir it a few times. Transfer mixture into a large bowl.

Step 5: Peel, Grate and Dice Carrots & Onion  

Peel 2 carrots. Grate one carrot and cut the other into a small dice. Do the same with the onion. Add the carrots and onion to the large bowl.

Step 6:  Measure Spices 

Measure the spices into the bowl. 

Step 7: Combine Ingredients

Combine ingredients thoroughly with spatula or spoon.

Step 8: Form Patties or Fritters

If you’re making patties for a veggie burger, you’ll want to form with your hands or use a large ice cream scoop and press down.

This should produce 6 patties. If you’re making a fritter, you can use a small ice cream scoop to keep a rounded shape for an appetizer. (You’ll need to adjust your time to half) 

Step 9: Spray the Basket 

I use a nonstick cooking spray and coat the basket of the air fryer. Since we are not flipping the patties or fritters you don’t need to spray them. Use a slotted spatula to transfer the patties. 

Step 10: Cook Them

Set the air Fryer for 375°F for 10 minutes. (You’ll need to adjust your time to half if making fritters) 375°F for 5 minutes.

Step 11: Plate and Serve

Platter up the fritters or patties with sauce on the side for a great appetizer. Add a bun with the delicious sauce and your favorite burger toppings for a tasty veggie burger. Enjoy!

Alternative Ingredients or Substitutions:

Do I Have to Use Carrot or Sweet Potatoes?

Zucchini is a great alternative ingredient to use. I suggest grating it and removing any extra liquid before adding to the mixture.

The zucchini pairs well with the other ingredients and spices. Butternut squash can be substituted for sweet potatoes as well. 

How to Make it Keto

Chickpeas are not necessarily keto friendly. You can substitute zucchini instead of the chickpeas to make it keto friendly.

Use a different sauce that is keto friendly or finish with some fresh lemons. Mayo can contain sugar so it’s important to check labels. 

Can I Make it Vegan?

You can substitute egg for flax egg. The ratio is 1T flax seed and 2 ½ T water. Let sit for 5 minutes to produce a binding agent. This ratio = 1 egg. 

You can substitute oil for the sour cream and mayonnaise and still have a delicious meal. 

Do You Have to Use TVP?

Breadcrumbs or panko can be substituted. I use TVP, because it is gluten free and a healthier option. 

Storing & Freezing

Can This Recipe be Made Ahead of Time? 

You can make this recipe up to a day before and store the filling in the refrigerator. The sauce lasts for 7 days in the refrigerator and is a great condiment. I slather this sauce on sandwiches and wraps. 

This recipe is quick and cost effective. You can literally come through the door and have dinner ready in less than 30 minutes from freezer. Once cooked the patties store for 3 days in the fridge. 

Once you shape the patties you can freeze them on parchment paper in the freezer for at least an hour.

This helps them firm up, so they don’t fall apart.  individually wrap them in airtight cling film or parchment paper and Ziplock bag for up to 3 months.

When ready to cook, defrost and proceed with the cooking instructions. If you cook from the freezer add 5 minutes to the cooking time.

Sauce Substitute?

You can substitute yogurt for the sour cream and mayo or olive oil as well.

Garnish Ideas:

Greens, cilantro, parsley, sliced avocado 

What to Serve With This Dish

• Made into Veggie Burger
• Salad
• Arugula
• Avocado-Lime Sauce

Tips and Tricks

• Make ahead for meal prep (freezes great)
• Use slotted spatula for easy transfer
• Cool sweet potato before adding to the mix
• No need to flip the patties, flipping just increases the chance of breaking.
• Use ice cream scoop to form fritters or patties

Cooking Times By Air Fryer

You may need to adjust the time depending on preference on crispy outside. Also remove 5 minutes if cooking fritters. 

The patties reheat in the air fryer at 365°F for 5-7 minutes.

Air Fryer Chickpea Fritters

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

This is a versatile recipe for weeknight meals or healthy appetizer for entertaining. Meal prep for a quick and delicious dish.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 can Chickpeas (drained)
• ¾ cup Textured Vegetable Protein (or breadcrumbs)
• 1 Egg
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 small onion (½ grated & ½ diced)
• 2 carrots both peeled (1 grated & 1 diced)
• 1 sweet potato (peeled and diced)
• 1 t Oregano
• 1t Coriander
• 1t Thyme
• 1t Turmeric
• 1t each salt & pepper 
• ½ t Ancho Chile Powder
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise 
• ½ lime (juiced)
• ½ avocado (pit and skin removed)
• ¼ cup packed cilantro

Instructions

1. Air Fry sweet potatoes
2. Make The sauce and refrigerate until ready to use
3. Gather your Ingredients and strain chickpeas
4. Add chickpeas, egg, TVP, to food processor and pulse to combine to course texture. Add to large bowl.
5. Peel, dice, grate carrots and onion to bowl.
6. Add spices to bowl
7. Combine thoroughly with spatula or spoon
8. Depending on if you’re making fritters or patties, choose the small or large ice cream scoop to form. 
9. Spray the air fryer basket with nonstick spray
10. Cook in the air fryer 375°F for 5 minutes for fritters and 10 minutes for patties
11. Plate and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

How to Make the Sauce

In a blender add the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, avocado and cilantro. Blend until smooth.

*Serve sauce on the side for dipping fritters

* Use as sauce for veggie burger. Great on sandwiches too.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 250Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 247mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 8gSugar: 7gProtein: 12g

Keren Tayler

My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms.  Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.