Falafel is crispy and delicious, so it's no wonder everyone loves it. Curious what to eat falafel with? Well, you're in luck! We're sharing 37 recipe ideas for the best breads, condiments, sauces, salads, and side dishes to serve with falafel. Get ready to drool.
What is falafel?
Falafel are balls or patties made from ground chickpeas (or fava beans), herbs and spices. It's often served with bread, like pita. So, "falafel" can refer to the balls, patties, or the sandwich.
Falafel is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine, but it varies by region. In Egypt, falafel is usually made with fava beans. But in Palestine, falafel is made with chickpeas. And, some regions use a combination of fava beans and chickpeas to make their falafel.
Our favorite falafel recipe
Falafel is usually deep fried. But at home, we prefer to make Oven Baked Falafel instead. The oven method uses way less oil and it makes cleanup a breeze.
Our homemade baked falafel is delicious, crisp, and a crowd pleaser. And, they're freezer friendly so it's great for meal prep!
Looking for a unique falafel recipe? These Falafel Tzatziki Burgers are a delicious, fun spin on a classic falafel.
Bread and Grains
Falafel is often tucked inside a pita to make a sandwich. But you could serve falafel with other breads or grains to make a hearty meal.
1. Pita
Pita is a classic falafel pairing. You can use store-bought pita. Or bake your own.
2. Pita Chips
3. Rice
Serve falafel on rice to make a delicious and hearty rice bowl. You can use your favorite kind of rice—white rice (such as basmati), brown rice, or even seasoned rice works well.
4. Quinoa
Quinoa is a nutritious grain alternative. You can use it instead of rice when building a falafel bowl. You can serve the quinoa plain. Or, make it more delicious by adding fresh herbs—like the Lemon Herb Quinoa in our Greek Collard Green Wraps recipe.
5. Naan Bread
If you can't find pita, use naan bread instead. It's also delicious for dipping into tzatziki, tahini yogurt sauce, or baba ghanoush.
Condiments and Toppings
When it comes to falafel, don't skip the condiments and toppings! It's an easy way to add to add a pop of color and flavor.
6. Picked Red Cabbage
7. Quick Pickled Onions
8. Pickled Green Beans
9. Olives
Olives are another way to add a briny, salty element to falafel. Choose your favorite kind of olive here, because it's hard to go wrong.
Tip: If you have extra olives to use up, make our Vegetarian Lentil Nicoise Salad next!
10. Feta Cheese
Feta cheese is creamy and salty. It pairs really well with falafel—either crumbled on top or served in small cubes.
Tip: Chickpeas and feta cheese aren't just a good combination in falafel. They're also delicious in this popular Mediterranean Chickpea Casserole recipe.
11. Pickled Turnips
Middle Eastern Pickled Turnips are another tasty pickled condiment for falafel. While we personally prefer pickled red cabbage, it's another good topping to try!
Sauces and Dips
We recommend serving at least one dip or sauce with falafel. It adds a creamy element, which is a good contrast to the crispy falafel. Here are our top dips and sauce pairings.
12. Tzatziki
13. Tahini Yogurt Sauce
14. Hummus
Hummus is another popular pairing for falafel. It's a creamy, high-protein dip made from chickpeas and tahini (sesame paste). You can easily buy it at the store or make it yourself.
15. White Bean Dip
16. Baba Ghanoush
Baba Ghanoush is a Middle Eastern roasted eggplant dip. It's often made with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. You can often buy it already prepared. Or, if you have a bit of time on your hands...you can make it at home.
17. Greek Yogurt Onion Dip
18. Chimichurri Sauce
19. Smoky Red Pepper Crema
20. Tahini Sauce
If you have a jar of tahini in the pantry, you can just drizzle it directly over falafel. Some people find tahini a bit bitter tasting. For more mild and balanced flavor, consider mixing it into an easy Yogurt Tahini Sauce (Shawarma Sauce).
21. Chipotle Mayo
Salads
A fresh side salad complements the hearty, savory taste of falafel. Pair your falafel with one of these healthy, veggie-packed salads for a well-balanced meal.
22. Tabbouleh Salad
Tabbouleh is a salad made with chopped parsley, tomatoes, and bulgur wheat. It's a classic falafel pairing!
23. Sumac Dressing with Simple Green Salad
24. Butter Bean Salad with Feta
25. Halloumi Couscous Salad with Lemon
26. Snap Pea Salad with Whipped Feta
27. Greek Cucumber Salad
28. Grain Salad with Lemon
29. Labneh and Roasted Beets
30. Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad
31. Carrot Salad
32. Tuscan Bean Salad
Sides
Round out your falafel meal with one of these delicious veggie side dishes.
33. Seared Halloumi and Tomatoes
34. Fries
Sometimes falafel is served with fries tucked into the pita. Never tried it? Well, you should because it's so yummy! You can use regular fries...or switch it up and use spiced sweet potato fries (recipe below). Avocado fries or parsnip fries work too!
35. Smashed Fingerling Potatoes
36. Roasted Bell Peppers
37. Roasted Tomatoes
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