What to Serve with Falafel: 40+ Best Side Dishes
Falafel is so yummy! When I make these little Middle Eastern treats, I always think about what to serve with falafel to make dinner extra special.
These crispy chickpea balls or patties are great on their own, but the right sides make them even better! I’ve tried tons of different sides over the years.
Some work better than others. From soft breads to cool dips, I’ll show you all my faves for your next falafel feast!
Why You’ll Love Falafel?
You’re gonna love crispy falafel for so many reasons! It’s made from plants and has lots of protein, so it’s good for both vegans and meat-eaters.
It’s packed with tasty herbs and spices that make your mouth happy.
I can’t get enough of them! You can stuff them in wraps, put them on bowls, or serve them on big platters.
My kids jump up and down when they smell falafel cooking in our kitchen!
What to Serve with Falafel?
You’ve got so many choices for falafel sides! From bread to sauces, salads to roasted veggies – these flavorful sides will make your meal super special. Let’s check out what works best.
Breads
Warm bread is the best friend of falafel. It helps scoop up sauces and makes yummy wraps. My family always fights over the last piece of bread!
- Homemade Pita Bread: Soft round bread with a pocket that’s perfect for stuffing. I love how the warm pita hugs the falafel and catches all the drippy sauce.
- Lavash: This thin, soft bread is great for rolling up falafel and veggies. I made lavash wraps for a picnic, and they didn’t fall apart!
- Naan: This puffy bread isn’t from the Middle East, but it’s so good with falafel! Its chewy bite and slight sweetness make falafel even tastier.
- Pita Chips: Crunchy, seasoned pieces that are fun to dip. My son likes to scoop up hummus with these while I use them to top my falafel salad.
- Focaccia: Italian bread with herbs and oil that matches falafel flavors. I tear off chunks to make mini sandwiches with my falafel balls.
Grain Dishes
Grains help make falafel into a full meal. They soak up the yummy sauces and add different textures. I always make extra for lunch the next day!
- Lemon Couscous: Tiny little pasta balls that cook super fast. I mix mine with lemon juice and herbs, and it soaks up all the tasty falafel flavors.
- Quinoa: Small, crunchy grain that has lots of protein. Its nutty taste is so good with the spices in falafel. My kids don’t even notice it’s healthy!
- Bulgur Wheat: Cracked wheat that’s a bit chewy and nutty. It’s used in tabbouleh and makes falafel meals more filling without being heavy.
- Freekeh: Young wheat with a smoky flavor that really stands out. I tried this summer and now it’s one of my must-haves with falafel.
- Rice Pilaf: Rice cooked with spices and sometimes nuts. I add a pinch of cinnamon to mine, and everyone asks for my secret!
Condiments and Toppings
These little extras add big flavor and crunch to your falafel. Mix them up to create new taste combos each time!
- Pickled Red Cabbage: Crunchy purple strips with tangy zip. The bright color makes the whole plate look pretty on my table.
- Quick Pickled Onions: Pink, tangy onions that wake up your taste buds. I can’t eat falafel without these anymore – they’re that good!
- Pickled Turnips: Bright pink pickles that are a Middle Eastern must-have. They cut through the rich falafel and make each bite pop!
- Olives: Salty little flavor bombs that add Mediterranean flair. I put out both green and black ones for color and different tastes.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbly, salty cheese that gets a bit melty on warm falafel. Not for vegans, but so good if you eat dairy!
- Pickled Green Beans: Crisp, tangy beans that stand tall on your plate. These make my falafel dinners look fancy even though they’re so easy.
Sauces and Dips
You can’t miss these dipping sauces with your falafel recipe. They add wetness and tie all the flavors together. I never serve falafel without at least two dips.
- Tahini Sauce: Creamy sesame seed sauce that’s a must for real falafel. I make mine extra garlicky and could drink it with a straw!
- Homemade Hummus: Smooth chickpea dip that goes with homemade falafel like peanut butter with jelly. I swirl it on the plate under the hot falafel so it gets a bit melty.
- Tzatziki Sauce: Cool yogurt sauce with cucumber that cools down spicy falafel. The fresh dill in mine makes all the difference in the world.
- Baba Ganoush: Smoky eggplant dip that’s creamy and rich. My friend thought I bought it from a fancy store, but I made it myself!
- White Bean Dip: Mild, creamy dip that lets the falafel flavors shine. I add lemon zest to brighten it up even more.
- Harissa: Spicy chili paste that adds kick to your meal. Just a tiny dab gets my nose running in the best way!
Fresh Salads
These Crisp side salads bring cool freshness next to hot falafel. They add bright colors and good-for-you stuff to your meal.
- Tabbouleh: Parsley salad with bulgur, tomatoes, and lemon that’s super fresh. The herbs make my whole kitchen smell amazing when I chop them.
- Greek Cucumber Salad: Cool cukes, tomatoes, and red onions that refresh your mouth. I love the juicy crunch between bites of falafel.
- Carrot Salad: Shredded carrots with lemon and spices for a sweet crunch. The bright orange makes any plate look happy and sunny.
- Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad: Tiny black lentils with veggies and tangy dressing. These little protein powerhouses keep me full for hours!
- Snap Pea Salad with Whipped Feta: Crunchy peas with creamy cheese that’s unexpected but so good. My dinner guests always ask for this recipe.
- Arugula Salad: Peppery greens with a simple dressing that cuts through rich foods. Just a handful brightens up the whole meal.
Roasted Vegetables
Roasting makes veggies sweeter and a bit crispy, just like falafel! The browned edges add so much flavor to your plate.
- Roasted Tomatoes: Juicy tomatoes that get extra sweet in the oven. They burst with flavor that makes the falafel taste even better.
- Roasted Bell Peppers: Sweet, charred peppers that get all soft and yummy. I love how they turn silky and their flavor gets stronger.
- Roasted Eggplant Slices: Tender slices that soak up sauces like a sponge. They’re like flavor sponges for all the tasty dips!
- Smashed Fingerling Potatoes: Crispy-outside, soft-inside potatoes that make the meal more filling. I sprinkle mine with herbs while hot.
- Roasted Cauliflower: Golden brown florets with a nutty flavor that matches falafel. My family fights over the last bits every single time!
Fresh Vegetables
Raw veggies add juicy crunch and cooling freshness. They make the meal lighter and add pretty colors to your falafel plate.
- Cucumber Slices: Cool, crisp rounds that refresh between spicy bites. Their light sweetness cleans your mouth after rich falafel.
- Tomato Slices: Juicy red slices that add fresh tang to each bite. In summer, I use garden tomatoes that taste like sunshine.
- Onion Slices: Sharp, crunchy rings that cut through rich flavors. I soak mine in cold water first so they’re not too strong.
- Radishes: Peppery little rounds that add zip and pretty pink color. They make any falafel plate look more exciting.
- Lettuce Leaves: Crisp greens perfect for wrapping up falafel bites. I like butter lettuce best because it’s soft but still holds together.
Fried Sides for Falafel
More crispy treats to go with your delicious falafel for a super fun meal. These turn dinner into a real treat! I make these when I’m already heating oil.
- Classic French Fries: Crispy potato sticks that everyone loves. Try dipping them in tahini sauce instead of ketchup – so good!
- Sweet Potato Fries: Orange-colored sticks with a sweet flavor that goes great with falafel. These are my daughter’s favorite sides ever.
- Avocado Fries: Creamy inside, crunchy outside – these seem fancy but are easy to make. The rich avocado tastes amazing with zingy sauce.
- Parsnip Fries: Sweet root veggie fries that most people don’t think of. These always surprise my friends in the yummiest way.
- Zucchini Fritters: Pan-fried veggie patties that look like little falafel cousins. They taste different enough to be super interesting.
Drinks
The right drink makes your falafel meal complete. Think refreshing sips that clean your mouth after big flavors.
- Mint Tea: Sweet hot tea with fresh mint leaves in small glasses. This classic drink cools your mouth after spicy food.
- Cardamom Tea: Spicy, fragrant tea that goes great with falafel herbs. The smell alone makes dinner feel special.
- Turkish Coffee: Strong, thick coffee often with cardamom. It’s perfect after a big falafel feast to wake you back up!
- Ayran: Salty yogurt drink that helps digest fried foods. It seems weird at first, but then you can’t stop sipping!
How to Serve Falafel?
You can serve falafel in lots of different ways! Each style gives a different experience. Pick what matches your mood or party type.
- Falafel Wrap: Stuff pita with falafel, veggies, and sauce for easy eating. I warm my pita first so it folds without breaking.
- Falafel Pita Sandwich: Stuff mini falafel balls into half pita pockets with veggies and sauce. It’s like a falafel wrap but the pocket shape holds everything in better for less messy eating!
- Falafel Burger: Replace meat patties with seasoned falafel in burger buns with all the fixings. I add avocado and special sauce to mine for a Mediterranean twist on a classic.
- Falafel Platter: Arrange falafel with many sides, dips, and bread for a full meal. This is my go-to for dinner parties – looks so impressive!
- Falafel Bowl: Put falafel on top of grains with toppings and sauce. Great for lunch meal prep and so pretty with all the colors.
- Falafel Salad: Add falafel to lots of greens and veggies with dressing. It’s lighter but still has tons of flavor and fills you up.
