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    Home » Round Up

    What To Serve with Falafel Balls

    Published on Dec 8, 2022 Modified: Dec 5, 2022 by Alexandria Drzazgowski.

    Falafel balls are an amazing vegan dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main dish. With so many ways to enjoy them, the options for what to serve with them are endless! Here are 27 of my favorite ideas.

    Bowl of fried falafel balls and a side of dip and halved cherry tomatoes.

    Falafel balls are so versatile. They can be served as a delicious meal on their own, as a falafel burger, falafel bowls, or snuggled deep inside a falafel sandwich made of a warm pita bread and topped with lettuce, tomatoes and fresh hummus. They can top a Greek salad and add amazing flavor to each bite with just a squeeze of lemon juice or olive oil on top. They can also be served as an appetizer or a great side dish, alongside olives and hummus.

    They are also a great fit for just about any audience. Authentic falafel are meat-free, high in protein and so crispy and delicious! What’s not to love? It’s no wonder they have become such a popular Mediterranean dish, sold by street vendors and food trucks all over the region.

    If you are a fan of falafel and have mastered making them at home, then the next big challenge is just deciding how to serve them. The good news is there are plenty of options and I have plenty of suggestions.

    Jump to:
    • FAQs
    • My Favorite Recipes
    • Expert Tips
    • What to eat with Falafel Balls
    • Instant Pot Hummus
    • Easy Tzatziki Sauce
    • Fried Feta Cheese with Phyllo Dough and Honey
    • Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad
    • Hot Honey Roasted Carrots and Green Beans
    • Marinated Sumac Onions Recipe
    • Greek Salad with Sardines
    • Fattoush Salad
    • Air Fryer Pita Chips
    • Mujadara
    • Loaded Ranch Potato Salad
    • Marinated Tomatoes with Basil
    • Courgette Ribbon Salad with Lemon and Herbs
    • Persian Shirazi Salad
    • Turkish Shepherd Salad
    • Ezme – Spicy Turkish Salsa
    • 5-Ingredient Chicken Stuffed Peppers
    • Lemon Dill Hummus
    • Lemon Basil Rice
    • Grilled Halloumi + Peaches with Arugula, Jalapenos and Honey Lemon Vinaigrette
    • Jerusalem Salad
    • Perfectly Puffed Pita Pockets
    • Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce
    • Carrot Hummus
    • Mediterranean Hummus Bowl
    • Roasted Beet Hummus with Pita Chips
    • Sweet Potato Hummus
    • Other meals + what to serve

    FAQs

    Saucepan with hot oil frying falafel balls.
    How Do You Cook Falafel?

    Authentic falafel is deep fried in several inches of oil This is the method I recommend for the most delicious falafel with a perfectly fluffy yet crunchy texture. If you want to cut down on the amount of oil you use, you can pan fry them, air fry them, or even bake them. The less oil you use, the less crispy your falafel will turn out, so that’s something to keep in mind.

    What Oil is Best for Frying Falafel?

    You want to use a neutral tasting oil for frying the falafel. Avocado oil, canola oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil or vegetable oil all work well.

    What Beans Should I Use for Falafel?

    You can use fava beans or dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans) for falafel. The key is to use beans that are dried and not precooked. Canned beans do not work well for falafel. 

    Do not boil your beans before adding them to your mixture. This adds too much moisture to the mix. You want your beans just soft enough to break apart in the food processor–not in your hands. Your ground chickpeas will cook as they fry.

    Why is my Mixture Falling Apart?

    Achieving the perfect falafel mixture texture can be tricky. Too much yellow or red onion or fresh herbs and your mixture will easily fall apart. You can fix this by adding a few tablespoons of chickpea flour to soak up some of the moisture. Do not add more than a few tablespoons of flour or it will make your falafel thick and dense rather than fluffy. 

    You can also test your hot oil before you begin frying with just a small dab of your mixture at a time. The right temperature will also help your mixture stick together.

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    My Favorite Recipes

    • This traditional falafel recipe will teach you all the tricks for achieving the perfect Middle Eastern falafel.
    • You can try making crispy falafel in the air fryer with this recipe 
    • If you want to use less oil, try this recipe that calls for no oil at all. 

    Expert Tips

    Food processor with falafel mixture combining with seasonings.
    • Good falafel mix will have the texture of crumbly sand that can hold its shape when pressed together. Your mixture should not look like a paste. The best way to achieve this is by using a meat grinder or a food processor.
    • It’s helpful to get your hands a little wet while shaping your balls. You can make falafel into balls or patties.
    • Falafel is great when topped with tahini sauce or tzatziki sauce. You could also serve it alongside Shakshuka.
    • If you are frying falafel for a crowd, allow them to drain on a wire rack in the oven at a low setting. This keeps them crispy and warm until ready to serve.

    What to eat with Falafel Balls

    • Toppings: Creamy tahini, tzatziki, hummus, Greek yogurt, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, hot sauce
    • Wrap Options: Pita pocket, flatbread, tortilla, grape leaves
    • Sides: Greek salad, green salad, fresh vegetables, lemon rice, red peppers, sweet potatoes, pita chips, brown rice, quinoa salad, French fries, cucumber salad

    Instant Pot Hummus

    Oil drizzled over instant pot hummus with a cracker and chickpeas garnished on the side.

    Hummus (from Culinary Shades) is a vegan and gluten-free Mediterranean dip made with garbanzo beans or chickpeas. It is served as a side dish or an appetizer. Check out how to make instant pot hummus without tahini using dry chickpeas and not soaking them.

    Read More

    Easy Tzatziki Sauce

    Tzatziki sauce in a small bowl, surrounded by pita bread and topped with olive oil and dill.
    Whether you’re serving it on gyros, eating it with pita, or enjoying it with veggies, you’ll love this Greek dip! Made with greek yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic, Greek Tzatziki Sauce is light, fresh, and versatile.
    Read More

    Fried Feta Cheese with Phyllo Dough and Honey

    Fried feta in a cast iron skillet topped with honey next to pita chips.
    This 5-Minute appetizer is the BEST way to enjoy a quick taste of Greece! This feta cheese wrapped in phyllo dough, cooked in olive oil, and then drizzled with honey and sesame seeds will impress anyone you serve it to. Enjoy it with pita chips, tomatoes, or even by itself.
    Read More

    Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad

    Glass serving bowl with mediterranean tomato cucumber salad in it with fresh dill and lemons on the side of the bowl.

    I’m always looking for an easy summer salad to serve at a pot luck or an outdoor barbeque. My criteria for a perfect summer salad is pretty easy: fresh ingredients, zingy dressing, and little bursts of unexpected flavor. My Mediterranean Tomato Cucumber Salad (from Trendgredient) is refreshing and pairs perfectly with just about any meal served al fresco or at your dinner table.

    Read More

    Hot Honey Roasted Carrots and Green Beans

    Rectangular serving dish with Hot Honey Carrots and Green Beans.

    Hot honey roasted carrots and green beans (from Love From The Table) is a perfect side dish, with a sticky-sweet glaze that packs just the right amount of heat. Perfect for busy weeknights or fancy holiday dinners, this easy recipe is delicious any time of year.

    Read More

    Marinated Sumac Onions Recipe

    Marinated sumac onions in a small bowl.

    Have you ever tried Sumac Onions (from Hilda’s Kitchen Blog)? This “Red Onion Salad” features thinly sliced red onions, chopped Italian parsley, and a zesty sumac-based marinade that will delight onion-lovers everywhere!

    Read More

    Greek Salad with Sardines

    Plates of Greek salad with sardines on them with a plate of feta cheese.

    This easy, traditional Greek Salad (or Horiatiki) (from Champagne Tastes) is made with fresh summer produce and an easy vinaigrette, and topped with delicious and healthy sardines!

    Read More

    Fattoush Salad

    Fattoush salad close up.

    Fresh and easy, this Fattoush Salad (from The Honour System) is delicious as a side dish or a light lunch. This healthy salad recipe is anything but boring with a ton of veggies and a tasty lemony, mint dressing.

    Read More

    Air Fryer Pita Chips

    Air fryer pita chips on a plate with a side of sauce.

    Air Fryer Pita Chips (from Yellow Thyme) – Pita Pockets air fried till they are crispy and golden brown. These chips are a great finger food or appetizer option. Especially when you are entertaining.

    Read More

    Mujadara

    Serving of Mujadara.

    Mujadara (from Little Sunny Kitchen) is a Middle Eastern lentil rice dish served with flavorful caramelized onions that were fried in olive oil. This simple dish is naturally vegan, made with just pantry ingredients so it’s incredibly frugal, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes!

    Read More

    Loaded Ranch Potato Salad

    Loaded Ranch potato salad in a blue serving bowl.

    This loaded Ranch Potato Salad (from Budget Delicious) is an easy side dish for lunch, dinner, potlucks, and BBQs. It’s quick to put together with minimal ingredients and has a delicious dressing including bacon and cheese that everyone will love.

    Read More

    Marinated Tomatoes with Basil

    Marinated tomatoes with basil on a plate.

    Marinated tomatoes (from Budget Delicious) are the perfect summer side dish. Marinated tomato salad is so simple to prepare and goes perfect with grilled foods and tastes great on its own. You’ll want to keep a bowl of this sliced tomato salad in your fridge all summer long. 

    Read More

    Courgette Ribbon Salad with Lemon and Herbs

    Courgette ribbon salad in a bowl.

    This delicious raw courgette ribbon salad (from Cinnamon and Kale) is fresh with the taste of lemon and herbs. It’s a very easy, healthy way to enjoy courgettes, whether you are buying them from the shop or have a glut in the garden.

    Read More

    Persian Shirazi Salad

    Persian Shirazi salad in a bowl with whole mint leaves garnished on top.

    Fresh and vibrant, Shirazi Salad (from Somebody Feed Seb) is a wonderful Persian tomato and cucumber salad tossed with lime and olive oil dressing! An extremely versatile side dish, this salad is a perfect example of how to make a delicious salad without lettuce! Fresh tasting and ready in 10 minutes, this is one of our favourite summer salads, when we have tomatoes, cucumber and herbs growing in the garden!

    Read More

    Turkish Shepherd Salad

    Turkish shepherd salad served in a bowl with whole tomatoes and fresh herbs laying next to it.

    This homemade Turkish Shepherd Salad (from Simply Scrumptious) mezze (appetizer) is made with fresh vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and a yummy lemony dressing. It can be used as a dip or rolled up in a pita/ flatbread with falafel. The secret ingredient with this recipe is sumac. It gives it that wonderful authentic flavor.

    Read More

    Ezme – Spicy Turkish Salsa

    Ezme, spicy Turkish salsa in a bowl with fresh jalapenos laying next to it.

    This authentic Turkish Ezme (Acili Ezme) (from Always Use Butter) takes just 15 minutes to make and is super healthy loaded with veggies and not much else. It’s a delicious spicy sauce, salad, dip and meze that you will want to have with everything. This recipe uses common ingredients you can find at your regular supermarket.

    Read More

    5-Ingredient Chicken Stuffed Peppers

    5-ingredient chicken stuffed peppers in a baking dish with melted cheese, cilantro and dollops of sour cream on top.

    Chicken stuffed peppers (from I Heart Naptime) made with 5 simple ingredients in just 30 minutes! A flavorful family-favorite that’s perfect for busy weeknights!

    Read More

    Lemon Dill Hummus

    Lemon dill hummus in a dish with crackers and garlic cloves on the side.

    Looking for a creative and delicious way to flavor your basic hummus? This Lemon Dill Hummus (from Balance with Jess) is the best answer! It’s ultra creamy and smooth with bright zesty lemon and fresh dill for a fun twist.

    Read More

    Lemon Basil Rice

    Lemon basil rice in a bowl with fresh lemon slices garnished on the side.

    This easy 30-minute Lemon Basil Rice (from Balance with Jess) is perfectly fresh, zesty, and delicious. With star ingredients like butter, fresh basil, lemon juice, and lemon zest, this refreshing side dish pairs well with anything and everything!

    Read More

    Grilled Halloumi + Peaches with Arugula, Jalapenos and Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

    Grilled halloumi + peaches with an arugula salad on a plate and a small mason jar of dressing on the side.

    Grilled Halloumi + Peaches with Arugula, Jalapeños and a Honey Lemon Vinaigrette (from Coley Cooks) is a simple summer meal that’s fresh, healthy and absolutely delicious! Salty Halloumi cheese turns crispy and melty on the grill, making it a perfect pair for the jammy, sweet charred peaches.  A hefty mound of arugula, spicy jalapeños and a sweet and tangy honey lemon vinaigrette bring it all together for an awesome gluten free, vegetarian salad that’s great for dinner, lunch or even brunch! 

    Read More

    Jerusalem Salad

    Jerusalem salad with a serving spoon tucked into it in a bowl.

    Jerusalem salad (aka Israeli salad) (from The Daily Dish) is a flavorful salad that’s made with simple, fresh ingredients. It’s a perfect side dish, and also makes a delicious filling for pita sandwiches with falafel.

    Read More

    Perfectly Puffed Pita Pockets

    Hand picking up a perfectly puffed pita pocket from a stack on a plate.

    Pita bread (from FoodWorthFeed) is the perfect, soft, fluffy companion for dozens of meals and cuisines. Pita bread is simple to make and requires just a few, staple ingredients. This naturally vegan flatbread is great for dipping into hummus, adorning mezze platters, wrapping a gyro sandwich, or sopping up warm, spiced soups and stews.

    Read More

    Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce

    Lemon Herb tahini sauce in a bowl with grilled chicken skewers and roasted veggies alongside it.

    This vegan Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce recipe (from The Rustic Foodie) is easy and makes a great healthy dressing for salads or dip! It’s made with fresh herbs and garlic.

    Read More

    Carrot Hummus

    Hand scooping up carrot hummus on a pita chip.

    Carrot Hummus – Flavored hummus is a healthy appetizer or snack to keep around. Quick, easy & cost efficient. Great for game day parties!

    Read More

    Mediterranean Hummus Bowl

    Partial view of a Mediterranean hummus bowl.

    This Mediterranean Hummus Bowl (from The Almond Eater) uses brown rice as a base and is filled with tomatoes, feta and roasted chickpeas for a tasty vegetarian lunch or dinner. It can be prepped ahead of time and the whole dish comes together in just 30 minutes!

    Read More

    Roasted Beet Hummus with Pita Chips

    Roasted beet hummus in a small dish on a plate and crackers surrounding it.

    Healthy vegan Roasted Beet Hummus (from Happy Kitchen.Rocks) served with pita chips is a delicious colorful appetizer perfect for Valentine’s Day. This creamy beet hummus packed with nutrients will surely get you in the mood!

    Read More

    Sweet Potato Hummus

    Bowl of sweet tomato hummus with a radish half garnished on top.

    Man, oh man, oh man…Sweet potato hummus (from iFoodReal) in June? Why not! At last, summer is full of beach and backyard healthy snacks.

    Read More
    Pinterest image collage displaying 4 dishes that would go well with falafel balls.

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