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Why I Love Falafel!
Falafel is more than just a dish to me—it’s a part of my story, my culture, and my childhood.
Growing up in a Lebanese household, falafel was everywhere—on the table for family dinners, in pita wraps for picnics, and even as one of the first solid foods I ever ate. It’s that iconic. The crispy, herb-packed bites are not just food—they’re memories and traditions rolled into one.
Over the years, I’ve come to love pairing falafel with a variety of sides and sauces, and let me tell you, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer, wrapping it up in a pita, or making it the center of a hearty grain bowl, what you serve alongside falafel can truly change the meal.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite ways to serve falafel, from classic Middle Eastern sides to creative new pairings that go well with its rich, crispy texture.
What is Falafel?
Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from ground chickpeas, herbs, and spices. The mixture is then shaped into small balls or patties and, depending on the recipe, either deep-fried or baked until crispy and delicious. Now, falafel is a very popular street food served all over the world, and there are many variations. I have three falafel recipes to get you started.
- Crispy Falafel—This classic recipe starts by soaking chickpeas and blending them with onions, garlic, and fresh herbs, then deep-frying them for a crispy outside.
- Air Fryer Falafel – If you’re looking for a simpler version with much less oil, consider this air fryer falafel. It still has that authentic flavor but without deep frying!
- Smash Falafel Pita – This ‘smashing‘ hit takes traditional falafel and adds it to the top of a pita and crisps it up, after it’s ready for all the fillings like cucumbers, tomatoes, and a creamy tahini sauce.
Tips for Making Falafel Side Dishes
- Use seasonal ingredients. One of the best things about Middle Eastern food is that it is always loaded with fresh produce like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers.
- Make ahead for convenience. Many side dishes for falafel, such as grains and some salads, can be prepared in advance, saving time when you’re ready to serve.
- Offer a variety of dips. To add flavor and options, serve falafel with a nice selection of dips like hummus, tahini, tzatziki, or baba ghanoush. This is especially helpful when you’re serving guests.
- Keep seasonings light. Since falafel is flavorful on its own, keep the seasoning of sides light and fresh. Go with a simple lemon, olive oil, and fresh herbs to bring some bright flavors without overpowering the falafel.
How to Serve Falafel
Not sure what to eat with falafel? I get it. It can be a little confusing if you’re not familiar with Middle Eastern cuisine. Is it a side dish? A snack? A main course? The good news is that you can’t go wrong either way. Falafel can be served in multiple ways, depending on your preference and the meal style. Here are some popular options.
- As an appetizer. Serve falafel as small, bite-sized pieces with various dipping sauces like hummus, toum, and baba ghanoush for an appetizer spread. Include other Mediterranean small bites like stuffed grape leaves and lots of fresh veggies to munch on.
- In a wrap or pita. Stuff falafel into a warm pita or flatbread with fresh veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and onions. Add sauces like hummus or tahini for extra flavor and creaminess.
- As a salad topping. Serve falafel on top of a fresh salad like Mediterranean chopped salad or a simple mix of greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Drizzle your favorite vinaigrette or a tahini-based sauce.
- In a power bowl. Similar to serving in a wrap, but instead serve it in a grain-based bowl over quinoa, rice, or couscous. Top with falafel and your choice of veggies, sauces, and fresh herbs for garnish.
- As a vegetarian main course. Serve falafel side dishes like roasted vegetables, grains, and salads to make it a complete and hearty meal.
Best Sauces and Sides to Serve with Falafel
Ready to have the best falafel meal of your life? Below, you’ll find a variety of flavorful options that go with the crispy texture of falafel. From creamy and tangy sauces to fresh and vibrant salads, these pairings will bring out the best in falafel.
Sauces to Serve with Falafel
I love to serve falafel with classic options like these favorite Lebanese condiments for a fresh twist.
Lebanese Tahini Sauce
Harissa Paste
Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum)
Lebanese Baba Ghanoush
Tzatziki Sauce
Best Hummus Recipe
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Homemade Labneh
Beet Hummus
Pomegranate Molasses
How to Serve Falafel Appetizers
Falafel can be the highlight of a tasty appetizer spread. Here are some ideas to try to make a satisfying Middle Eastern hors d’oeuvres platter.
Mezze Platter
Crudite Platter
Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves
Baked Feta Dip
Zaatar Spring Rolls
Serve Falafel in a Wrap or a Bowl
Falafel is excellent wrapped in your favorite flatbread with all the favorite toppings. Or you can make a power bowl complete with all the essentials. Don’t forget to include some of the condiments mentioned above to add that creamy texture.
Homemade Pita Bread
Yogurt Flatbread
Bulgur Pilaf
Turmeric Rice
Pickled Red Onions
Pickles
Pickled Turnips
Salads to Serve with Falafel
Salads are a fantastic pairing to falafel because they provide fresh, crispy flavors that balance it out.
Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad
Tahini Salad
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Bulgur Chickpea Salad
Lebanese Fattoush Salad
Quinoa Tabbouleh
Lebanese Cabbage Salad
Mediterranean Rice Salad
Shirazi Salad
Side Dishes for Falafel
Pasta and grain-based dishes are some of the easiest options when you’re wondering what to serve with falafel. They’re quick to prepare and so versatile.
Pasta with Yogurt Sauce
Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra)
Dandelion Greens with Fried Onions
Mujadara Hamra
Lebanese Mujadara
Crispy Persian Rice
Baked Feta Pasta
Lebanese Rice
Hummus Pasta
How To Keep Food Warm
- Oven: As long as you’re not cooking anything in the oven, you can set it to 200°F and store dishes in there to keep them warm.
- Aluminum Foil: If your oven is not free, you can simply use aluminum foil, which has reflective properties that protects the food from light and oxygen. The foil reflects the thermal energy back to the food which maintains the moisture, flavor and texture.
- Crock Pots and Instant Pots: Think of recipes that can be made in your crock pot or instant pot that will keep warm during the party. You can even use them to keep foods warm even if you don’t cook in them.
- Insulated coolers: You can use a cooler to keep food hot as well as cold. The insulation technology that keeps out the heat to maintain cold foods also works to trap heat in and keep food hot for hours at a time. You can even line the cooler with aluminum foil for even better results.
How To Store All the Leftovers
- Follow the recipe instructions. Some dishes need to be refrigerated immediately, while others can sit at room temperature for a few hours. I recommend referring to the storage instructions in the individual recipe to ensure food safety and freshness.
- Store dry and wet foods separately. Keep dry ingredients like falafel separate from wet foods like tomatoes and pickled ingredients. If serving green salads, consider serving salad dressing on the side to keep the salad fresh longer.
- Freeze for longer storage. Many ingredients, including falafel, are freezer-friendly, making it easy to have ready-made meals for busy weeknights.
- Lunch meal prep. Consider packing a well-balanced meal for your school or work lunches using compartmentalized containers to keep your food fresh and separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re serving falafel in wraps like pita bread or flatbread, spread some hummus or another creamy dip for moisture. Then add sliced tomatoes and pickled vegetables like onions and pickles, and top with falafel. You can add a drizzle of tahini sauce for more creaminess. Wrap it like a burrito and enjoy.
To make the meal more satisfying, serve hearty falafel side dishes like roasted potatoes, rice, or couscous. These sides not only complement the crispy falafel, they also add variety and substance to the meal.
Falafel is typically served hot, right after it’s fried or baked, to maintain crispiness. However, it can also be served cold or at room temperature, primarily in salads or wraps. If serving falafel as a vegetarian main course, I recommend serving it hot.
Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.
For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Easy Recipe Ideas with Tahini, Best Authentic Lebanese Recipes, Best Ideas for Vegetarian Dinners, and Recipes to Make with Chickpeas.
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