Ultimate Falafel Sandwich

How to Make the Best Falafel Sandwich! This recipe is the quintessential veggie sandwich and tastes just like a restaurant.

The falafel sandwich is the stuff dreams are made of. The crispy fried chickpea fritters, the soft herb interior and the sauces that run down your chin… it’s pretty much the ultimate sandwich recipe. After Alex and I ate the best falafel of our lives, we spent years recreating the magic. May we introduce The ultimate falafel sandwich! It includes crunchy donuts, super soft flatbreads, crunchy veggies and creamy garlic sauces. Here’s how to make it at home!

How to Make a Falafel Sandwich: An Overview

An authentic falafel sandwich is epic: not quick and easy to do. This recipe is synonymous with great flavors and centuries-old traditions: no shortcuts! Alex and I researched for years to create this version that honors the best of this Middle Eastern delicacy. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to do to make a falafel sandwich:

• Soaking dried chickpeas: Overnight or at least 6 hours
• Preparing the falafel: 25 minutes active, 20 minutes inactive
• Prepare the sauces and prepare the vegetables: 10 minutes activity
• Options: Make the flatbread 30 minutes active, 30 minutes inactive*

Flatbread is easy to prepare and keeps well. Or you can make it with flatbread or store-bought flatbread (this is how we make it regularly). While the falafel batter is cooling, you can make the sauces and other preparations.

Want a shortcut? Make the sandwich with our Baked Falafel instead!

How to make falafel: some tips

Making homemade falafel is something every chef should try. The Head to Classic Falafel Recipe has all the tips and tricks you need. But here are some basic tips:

• Falafel uses dried chickpeas. Don’t even think about using canned or cooked chickpeas! They create the perfect texture that’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
• Don’t forget to soak! Toss these chickpeas in the water the day before (or at least 6 hours).
• You need a large food processor mix the dough; a blender just won’t do it. Note that the dough has a moist, crumbly texture; it’s not like cookie dough!
• You can fry or bake it! See recipe for both methods. Frying creates balls and cooking creates disk shapes.

The best bread for a falafel sandwich: flatbread!

Alex and I both agree on the best bread for a falafel sandwich. Most recipes call for flatbreads: however, we’ve found that most store-bought flatbreads are dry and brittle. When we buy it, it usually breaks and crumbles when we stuff it. So why not make a falafel sandwich like we do in restaurants? Try a soft and fluffy pocket-less Greek pita. Here are some options:

• Make our easy flatbread! This flatbread recipe is easy to make at home and makes a soft, chewy flatbread that you can use to wrap your sandwich.
• Buy any pocket-less flatbread (even naan). Rather than buying a pita pocket, we recommend any store-bought flatbread without a pocket. You can even use naan bread which is easy to find. Although it’s Indian and not Middle Eastern, for us it’s better than a pocket of dry, brittle flatbread.

Sauces for a falafel sandwich

Perhaps the best thing about a falafel sandwich is the sauces! Various types of falafel sauce are traditionally served with this sandwich:

• Tahini sauce A creamy tahini sauce is often drizzled over the crunchy donuts and crunchy veggies.
• Cucumber Yoghurt Sauce Another traditional option is a pickle sauce (like real tzatziki) with yogurt, pickles, and fresh herbs (often dill).
• coriander sauce A green coriander sauce is also often used. Try this cilantro sauce. This sauce and the tahini sauce are vegan options.
• Hummus (optional): We like to put a layer of hummus on the bottom of the sandwich and then one of the sauces on top. It adds just the right amount of smoothness and nuance.

Add crunchy veggies: lettuce or cabbage, tomato and red onion: and it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Ways to get the upper hand

The best falafel sandwich Alex and I have ever had was at a restaurant called Paris Falafel Needles (Here is an article from the New York Times). This sandwich had some elements that put it in an epic range. Check them out if you really want to be blown away.

• Harisa: Try a store-bought mild harissa sauce or medium sauce if you want to add a little spice to your sandwich.
• Pickled vegetables : Adding pickles to your sandwich adds a salty flavor; The epic sandwich we tried had pickled red cabbage. Try our pickled onions or pickled radishes.
• Fried Eggplants: Our favorite falafel sandwich had fried eggplant, a unique addition. Try our Roasted Eggplant: it adds so much spicy garlicky umami that it will blow your mind. (Really.)

What should one associate it with? Add quinoa tabbouleh, classic oven fries, or Greek fries!

Alternative quick and easy options!

Do you want the epic version or are you ready to let off some steam? Don’t worry, there are a few simpler options that use the flavor of falafel to make dinner quick and easy. Here are a few ideas:

• Baked Falafel It’s quicker and easier with this delicious baked version!
• Falafel Salad Toss the falafel over the vegetables and garnish with the tahini sauce.
• Falafel Burger Make it a burger instead! This burger uses canned chickpeas as a shortcut to achieve similar flavors.
• Raw Falafel Buddha Bowls Or make raw falafel! This recipe uses sunflower seeds and herbs to make a raw version of falafel. Eat it in a salad with a tahini vinaigrette.

This falafel sandwich recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free (with vegan sauce options).