The Falafel Sandwich is one of those dishes that proves you don’t need fancy techniques or expensive ingredients to create something deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of food that feels both comforting and exciting at the same time. As a home cook, I love meals that can be eaten with your hands, enjoyed casually, and still deliver layers of flavour, and the Falafel Sandwich does exactly that. Rooted in Egyptian street food culture, this humble sandwich has travelled the world and settled comfortably into home kitchens everywhere.
What makes a Falafel Sandwich so special is its balance. You have crisp, golden falafel on the outside, soft and herbaceous on the inside, tucked into warm folded flatbread. Add fresh salad, a scattering of crumbled feta cheese, and a drizzle of sauce, and suddenly you’ve got something that feels generous, nourishing, and utterly moreish. It’s filling without being heavy and flavourful without being overpowering.
One of the joys of the Falafel Sandwich is how approachable it is. It’s not pretentious food. It doesn’t ask you to sit at a table with cutlery and plates stacked high. Instead, it invites you to grab it with both hands and enjoy every bite. There’s something wonderfully relaxed about that. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or even sliced in half and served as part of a larger spread when friends come round.
The Egyptian roots of the Falafel Sandwich really shine through in its simplicity. Traditional falafel is made from fava beans rather than chickpeas, giving it a slightly earthier flavour and lighter texture. When cooked properly, the falafel develops a crisp shell while staying tender inside, making it ideal for stuffing into flatbread. Paired with fresh salad and salty feta cheese, the flavours come together beautifully, each element supporting the next.
As a home cook, I also appreciate how adaptable the Falafel Sandwich is. You can keep it classic, sticking closely to tradition, or you can personalise it depending on what you have in the fridge. The flatbread acts like a blank canvas, and the falafel happily welcomes a variety of companions. This makes it a brilliant option for households with different tastes, as everyone can build their own version.
Texture plays a big role in the appeal of a Falafel Sandwich. The contrast between the crunchy falafel, the softness of the bread, and the freshness of the filling keeps every bite interesting. The feta cheese adds little pops of creaminess and salt, tying everything together without overpowering the falafel itself. It’s this thoughtful balance that keeps you coming back for another sandwich, even when you’re already full.
Another reason the Falafel Sandwich is so popular is that it feels wholesome. It’s naturally vegetarian, packed with plant-based goodness, and satisfying enough that you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything. Served warm and fresh, it’s the sort of food that makes you slow down and enjoy the moment, even if you’re eating it standing at the kitchen counter.
While salad is a classic filling, the Falafel Sandwich really comes into its own when you start experimenting. Swapping out the salad for other fillings can completely change the character of the sandwich while still letting the falafel shine.
Alternative fillings to serve with falafel sandwich instead of salad
- Roasted aubergine slices with a drizzle of olive oil
- Hummus and caramelised onions
- Spiced roasted sweet potatoes
- Pickled vegetables for a sharp, tangy bite
- Sautéed mushrooms with garlic and herbs
- Grilled halloumi for extra richness
- Baba ganoush for a smoky depth
- Tahini sauce with sliced cucumbers
- Harissa-roasted peppers
- Fried eggs for a hearty twist
The Falafel Sandwich is a reminder that some of the best dishes come from simple ideas done well. It’s comforting, flexible, and deeply rooted in tradition, yet endlessly adaptable for modern home cooking. Whether enjoyed exactly as intended with salad and feta cheese, or customised with bold new fillings, the Falafel Sandwich always feels like a small celebration wrapped in warm bread.
Falafel Sandwich
Equipment
- Deep Frying Pan or saucepan
- Tongs fish slice
Ingredients
Falafel Ingredients:
- 250 g chickpeas dried , fava beans, soaked overnight and drained
- 1 small onion roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 handful fresh parsley
- 1 handful fresh coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp baking powder
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- vegetable oil sunflower oil for frying
Sandwiches Ingredients:
- 4 medium flatbreads or pittas
- Mixed salad lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion
- 100 g feta cheese crumbled
- Tahini sauce or yoghurt sauce, to drizzle
Instructions
- Add the soaked beans, onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, cumin, ground coriander, salt and pepper to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs, scraping down the sides as needed.250 g chickpeas, 1 small onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 handful fresh parsley, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, salt, black pepper, 1 handful fresh coriander
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, stir in the baking powder, cover, and refrigerate for 15 minutes to help it firm up.½ tsp baking powder
- Shape the mixture into small balls or slightly flattened patties, keeping them evenly sized for even cooking.
Air Fryer Cooking Method (Recommended):
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C. Lightly brush or spray the falafel with oil on all sides.
- Arrange the falafel in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one.
- Air fry for 12–15 minutes, turning halfway through, until crisp on the outside and hot all the way through.
- Remove from the air fryer and allow the falafel to rest for 1 minute before assembling the sandwiches.
Deep Frying Method (Optional Alternative):
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or saucepan over medium heat.vegetable oil
- Fry the falafel in batches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
To Assemble the Falafel Sandwich:
- Warm the flatbreads gently.4 medium flatbreads
- Fill each flatbread with hot falafel, fresh salad, crumbled feta cheese and a generous drizzle of sauce.Mixed salad, 100 g feta cheese, Tahini sauce
- Fold and serve immediately.
15 comments
Such a good sandwich. Anyone who enjoys eastern Mediterranean food will love this.
Pleasant and wholesome, but I think it needs stronger seasoning to stand out.
The Falafel Sandwich was filling and tasty, especially with the warm flatbread fresh from the pan.
Fresh, comforting and packed with flavour, this Falafel Sandwich felt properly homemade.
Great flavours overall but I would have liked a bit more sauce to balance the falafel.
Nice sandwich for lunch, though I found it a little dry without extra dressing.
Tasty enough, though I personally prefer my falafel a bit crunchier on the outside.
Loved the contrast between the crisp falafel and creamy feta cheese.
Decent meal and easy to eat, though I missed having something spicy inside.
The air-fried falafel surprised me, very crisp without being greasy.
Good texture and seasoning but the feta slightly overpowered the falafel for my taste.
The falafel were beautifully cooked and worked perfectly with the flatbread.
Crispy falafel with a lovely soft centre and the feta really lifts the whole Falafel Sandwich.
Really enjoyed how light yet satisfying this Falafel Sandwich was.
A solid vegetarian option that didn’t feel like a compromise at all.