There is nothing like perfectly fried falafel that are crisp on the outside and tender in the middle. Falafel are fantastic on it's own, but it's also fun to serve falafel alongside other additions! Here are over 20 ideas on what to serve with falafel, including dips and spreads, salads and more!
🥙 What are Falafel?
Falafel are vegan fried balls made with dried chickpeas. The first falafel are said to have been made from fava beans that originated in Egypt. However, the more well known falafel are made with dried chickpeas that are soaked and processed into a crumbled texture and mixed with onion, garlic and lots of fresh herbs.
For a step by step tutorial, check out my Homemade Falafel Recipe!
⏲️ Falafel Making Tips
- The best falafel are made with dried chickpeas. Canned chickpeas are much too soft for falafel.
- Falafel are versatile when it comes to flavors! Use different herbs such as mint and dill and different spices such as turmeric for a deep yellow hue.
- When frying falafel, don't overcrowd the pan, which will bring the oil temperature down.
- Fry falafel on the first side until you see golden brown edges on the bottom, then flip over.
- Drain falafel on a wire rack so the falafel stay crisp.
🥗 How to Serve falafel?
- Serve falafel in a collard wrap for a low-carb option.
- Fry black bean falafel and top them with a bright heirloom tomato salsa for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Make a falafel bowl and add all your favorite salads, dips and grains!
- Serve green falafel on top of hummus with toasted pine nuts and olive oil.
- Add fried falafel to a colorful vegetarian falafel platter for a diy dinner night!
🧄 What to Eat with Falafel
Serve fried falafel on top of homemade hummus! This classic version is made easily with canned chickpeas, creamy tahini and warm spices to give the hummus a depth of flavor.
Tahini sauce is the sauce to drizzle on just about anything! Homemade tahini sauce is creamy and savory and a great addition to drizzle on top of falafel, roasted vegetables or even a simple salad. Add harissa to make your tahini sacue spicy or extra herbs for a green tahini sauce.
There is nothing like the soft pillowy feel of homemade pita bread! Open the pita bread pocket and stuff falafel balls to make a falafel pita, along with pickled turnips, chopped salad and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Traditionally, fattoush salad is a Lebanese style of salad with toasted pita chips and vegetables. This version has chunks of heirloom tomatoes and loads of fresh herbs.
Israeli chopped salad is a colorful salad mixed with diced cucumbers and tomatoes and dressed in a bright lemon and olive oil dressing. Serve this chopped salad in falafel bowls or as a fresh side salad.
Cool and creamy, tzatziki sauce is a very popular Greek dip that is easy to make. Tzatziki is made with yogurt, garlic, fresh lemon juice and fresh herbs and is a perfect condiment to dip fried falafel balls into.
Muhammara is a tangy and flavorful Turkish dip made with walnuts, roasted peppers and pomegranate molasses. Muhammara is great on it's own and delicious with fried falafel dipped into as well.
If you are looking for delicious mezze to serve with falafel, add vegetarian grape leaves to the mix! This flavorful stuffed grape leaves are filled with basmati rice, chickpeas and loads of fresh herbs.
If you are looking for a filling and colorful salad to serve with your falafel, you will love this Greek quinoa salad with chickpeas! Plus, this is a great salad to make ahead!
These Turkish sumac onions are te perfect condiment to add to your fried falafel or grilled meats if you are looking for a vibrant pop and crunch. Thinly sliced red onions are dressed with tangy sumac, bright lemon juice and fresh herbs and comes together within minutes.
This Greek rice pilaf is a great side dish to serve with any Mediterranean main course and would be perfect in a falafel bowl or falafel platter1 Orzo and basmati rice are cooked with toasted nuts, fresh lemon and loads of fresh herbs.
Up the flavors and textures of classic hummus and make this colorful hummus! Top your hummus with chopped salad, chopped olive, crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts. Serve with fried falafel on the side or simply serve falafel right on top of the layered hummus.
This simpel kale salad is one of my favorites to serve with homemade falafel. Massaged kale is tossed with chickpeas and tomatoes and dressed in the creamiest tahini salad dressing.
Baba ghanoush is traditionally made with roasted or grilled eggplant where the smoky eggplant flesh is mixed with tahini, garlic and spices creating an intensely flavored dip. Instead, this version uses zucchini in place of the eggplant and is a great accompaniment for fried falafel.
Beets not only offer a gorgeous eye popping color to hummus but a touch of sweetness as well. Serve green falafel on top of deep red hummus for an eye popping and delicious bite!
Tabbouleh salad is a traditional Lebanese salad with bulgur and finely chopped parsley adn mint. Some versions, like this also have diced cucumbers and tomatoes that give the salad a pop of brightness.
Not exactly traditional, this kale tabbouleh salad takes inspiration from the herb salad and uses finely shredded kale that is dressed with pomegranate seeds, quinoa and a tangy pomegranate dressing.
A snack on it's own, baked beet chips become crisp and savory, making them a delicious item for dipping. The tangy labneh dip is made with labneh cheese, fresh lemon and salty feta cheese.
If you are looking for a side dish to serve alongside a falafel pita or something for a mezze, you will love these Greek fries with Feta! The seasoned potatoes are faked until crisp and garnished with a bright lemon vinaigrette and creamy tzatziki sauce.
This lemon orzo salad is fresh, flavorful and easy to make! Cooked orzo is tossed with sweet corn, basil adn crumbled feta cheese and is a great salad to make ahead of time! This would be great in a falafel platter with tzatziki sauce and chopped salad.
Cauliflower, cherry tomatoes and eggplant are generoulsy seasoned wiht a bold blend of Mediterranean spices, including za'atar and paprika. If you are looking to up the flavors in weeknight roasted veggies, you will love these Mediterranean roasted vegetables!
MrnMrsindkitchen says
This gave us so many great Ideas. Thank you so much Chef Samantha.
Tom says
We will be working our way through this delicious list of recipes. It took me 2 good grocery stores to find the unique spices and it is well worth it. We stocked up on Lot's of different beans and this cool new spice called Zaatar.