Falafel tastes best when paired with creamy hummus, warm pita bread, tangy pickles, refreshing salads, and thick tahini sauce. You can also enjoy it with grilled vegetables, crispy fries, or a light tabbouleh salad for a well-rounded, flavorful mea
Whether you’re preparing a casual meal or hosting a special gathering, the right pairings can transform your falafel into a flavorful masterpiece.
In this guide, we’ve curated a range of creative and mouthwatering combinations that will not only enhance the taste but also add a nutritious twist to your dish. Keep reading to discover the perfect sides, sauces, and platters that will take your falafel to the next level!
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to inspire you with over 20 delicious ideas to complement your falafel.
What to Serve with Falafel?
Hummus:
Falafel are crispy balls or patties made from chickpeas or fava beans, parsley, coriander, garlic, and spices. Both falafel and hummus are chickpea-based, making them a natural pairing. The creamy falafel and the smooth hummus create a delicious, nutty combo that’s high in protein, perfect for a post-workout snack.
The combination of textures and flavors enhances the meal, providing a satisfying and wholesome option for any occasion.
Warm Pita Bread:
When people don’t know what to pair with falafel, they often turn to warm pita bread. It’s a classic choice for good reason, it’s delicious! The soft, warm pita adds a protein-carb combo to your falafel. Just wrap a falafel in pita, add your favorite sauce, and you’ve got a 5-star sandwich.
The pita’s pillowy texture complements the crispy falafel, making each bite both satisfying and comforting.
Jerusalem Salad:
This refreshing salad, made with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, onions, and parsley with lemon dressing, is the perfect low-calorie, hydrating side to complement falafel. The crisp vegetables and tangy lemon dressing balance the richness of falafel, providing a fresh and light contrast.
Baba Ganoush:
Baba ganoush is a smoky eggplant dip made with roasted eggplant, olive oil, and lemon. Eggplant is low in carbs and high in fiber, while falafel is packed with protein. Together, they make a healthy and satisfying meal. The smoky flavor of baba ganoush complements the crispy falafel, creating a perfect pairing of textures and tastes.
Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce:
Tahini sauce, made from sesame seeds, lemon, parsley, and water, elevates the falafel experience. It’s also rich in calcium and healthy fats, and just one drizzle will enhance the flavor. The creamy tahini adds a smooth, nutty richness to the crispy falafel, rounding out the flavor profile.
Tabbouleh:
Tabbouleh is a fresh salad made from bulgur, parsley, lemon, and olive oil. It cools the heat from falafel and is low in calories, high in fiber, and a great source of protein. It’s a perfect option if you’re watching your diet. Its refreshing and citrusy flavor adds a vibrant contrast to the spiced falafel, making it an ideal side.
Sweet Potato Hummus:
Hummus isn’t just the classic version you’re familiar with, sweet potato hummus brings a smoky sweetness to the table. It’s high in Vitamin A and potassium, making it a nutritious addition to falafel. The smooth, sweet flavor of the sweet potato hummus pairs wonderfully with the savory falafel for a balanced, nutritious bite.
Lemon Basil Rice:
If you’re looking to make your falafel more filling, pair it with lemon basil rice. The tangy rice and crispy falafel complement each other beautifully, creating an energizing combo of carbs and protein. The light, zesty rice balances the falafel’s richness, providing a fresh and satisfying meal.
Fattoush Salad:
Fattoush is a crunchy salad made from crispy pita chips, fresh veggies, and lemon or vinegar dressing. It’s an ideal, light pairing for falafel. The crunchiness of the pita chips and the tangy dressing enhance the falafel’s flavor, creating a delightful textural contrast.
Garlic Sauce / Toum:
For garlic lovers, toum (garlic sauce) is the perfect dip for falafel. It’s creamy, pungent, and slightly spicy, plus it has immune-boosting properties thanks to garlic’s natural antibacterial qualities. The bold garlic flavor in toum complements the falafel’s spices, providing a rich and savory dip.
Harissa or Shatta:
If you love spice, pair falafel with Harissa or Shatta, two Middle Eastern chili sauces. Harissa has a smoky flavor, while shatta adds pure heat. These sauces bring an extra kick to falafel. The heat from these spicy sauces brings an exciting contrast to the cool and crispy falafel.
Yogurt & Cucumber Sauce:
Known as Tzatziki in Greek cuisine, this cool yogurt and cucumber dip is perfect for falafel. It’s refreshing, probiotic, and aids in digestion. The creamy yogurt and refreshing cucumber add a cooling element that balances the falafel’s warmth and crunch.
Falafel + Hummus + Grape Leaves + Fries:
This combination is the ultimate mezze platter. The crispy falafel, creamy hummus, tangy grape leaves, and salty fries create an explosion of flavors that’s sure to delight your taste buds. The variety of textures and flavors from this combination makes it a complete, satisfying meal.
Falafel with Shawarma, Rice & Salad:
For those who aren’t strictly vegan, pairing falafel with shawarma is a protein overload. Add rice and a salad to make this a well-rounded meal with carbs and fiber. The combination of falafel and shawarma adds depth of flavor, while the rice and salad provide balance to the dish.
Ayran / Laban Yogurt Drink:
Ayran or laban yogurt drinks are a great pairing with falafel. This salty, refreshing drink helps balance out the richness of falafel and leaves you feeling light. The cool, salty drink cuts through the falafel’s richness, making it the perfect refreshing companion.
Fresh Pomegranate Juice:
Fresh pomegranate juice pairs beautifully with falafel, offering a burst of antioxidants, iron, and flavor. It transforms a simple snack into a full, nutritious meal. The sweet and tangy juice adds a refreshing burst that contrasts nicely with the savory falafel.
Pickled Turnips & Cucumbers:
Pickled turnips and cucumbers add a tangy, zesty flavor to your falafel. These low-calorie, high-fiber vegetables are also great for digestion. The sharpness of the pickles cuts through the richness of falafel, creating a balanced and tangy bite.
Loaded Ranch Potato Salad:
If you’re in the mood for indulgence, try loaded ranch potato salad with your falafel. Boiled potatoes, ranch dressing, cheese, bacon, herbs, and onions make a creamy, crispy combo with falafel. Just be mindful of portion sizes, as it can be calorie-dense. The creamy, rich potato salad complements the crispy falafel, providing a hearty, indulgent side.
Saj or Laffa Bread:
Saj is a thin, chewy bread that makes a great alternative to pita bread. It’s light, chewy, and pairs perfectly with falafel for a unique twist. The thin, chewy texture of saj bread provides a different yet complementary texture to the falafel.
Ezme – Spicy Turkish Salsa:
Ezme, a spicy Turkish salsa made from tomatoes, chilies, onion, herbs, and olive oil, adds a fresh, spicy kick to falafel. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants. The spice and freshness of ezme elevate the falafel, adding a vibrant, bold flavor to the dish.
Is Falafel Actually Healthy?
Falafel is made from chickpeas, which are rich in protein and fiber. However, when it’s deep-fried, it can become high in fat and calories.
100 grams of falafel contains about 321 calories, 4 grams of fat, 11 grams of carbs, 21 grams of protein, and 36 milligrams of sodium.
Falafel can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.
Nutritional Benefits of Falafel:
- Good source of fiber and plant-based protein
- Helps keep you full for longer by reducing hunger hormones
- Fiber helps stabilize blood sugar levels and improves bowel health
- May reduce the risk of heart disease and colon cancer
However, falafel can have some downsides as well.
It’s typically deep-fried in oil, which increases fat and calorie content. Regular consumption of deep-fried foods has been linked to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
Here’s how to enjoy it in a healthier way:
- Bake or air fry falafel instead of deep-frying.
- Opt for falafel from certified restaurants.
- Avoid store-bought varieties that are often loaded with unhealthy ingredients.
- Consume falafel in moderation.
Is Falafel Gluten-Free or Keto-Friendly?
Yes, natural falafel, made without flour or extra ingredients is gluten-free, so it’s safe for those with celiac disease.
However, falafel isn’t keto-friendly, as chickpeas contain moderate carbs. For a keto-friendly option, pair falafel with low-carb veggies like cucumber, bell peppers, and lettuce, and choose sauces like baba ganoush.
Falafel is a fantastic Mediterranean dish that can be paired with hummus, salads, veggies, or wrapped in pita bread. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and a great source of protein and micronutrients. However, since falafel is often deep-fried, it’s best to enjoy it in moderation.
If you’re in Peterson, New Jersey, be sure to try falafel at Albasha, where you can experience the perfect balance of crunch and flavor, made with high-quality ingredients.
FAQs:
How to serve falafel in pita bread?
Warm the pita bread, open it like a pocket, and add falafel balls, sauce, and your favorite veggies or green chili. Enjoy!
What to serve with falafel for dinner?
Falafel pairs beautifully with salads, veggies, shawarma (for non-vegans), rice, and hummus.
Can falafel be eaten on its own?
Yes! Falafel is flavorful enough to enjoy on its own, without any bread or dip.
