10 Best Falafel Sauce Recipes (2024)

Table of Contents

What is falafel How is falafel served Is falafel served with tahini, tzatziki or hummus? Best falafel sauce ideas Creamy Lemon Tahini Sauce Thick Greek Tzatziki Dip Fresh Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing/Sauce Creamy Yogurt-Dill Sauce with Feta Easy Garlic Kebab Sauce Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Sauce) Garlic Dipping Sauce (Lebanese Toum) Turkish Red Pepper and Walnut Dip (Muhammara) Vegan Tzatziki Recipe Easy Lemon Tahini Falafel Sauce Ingredients Instructions Notes Nutrition You may also like Meet the Author FAQs References

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Wondering what the best sauce to serve with falafel is? I've got you covered with this handy list of 10 best sauce recipes, including the classic tahini lemon sauce, tzatziki, Mediterranean yogurt-based sauces and more.

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What is falafel
How is falafel served
Is falafel served with tahini, tzatziki or hummus?
Best falafel sauce ideas
Creamy Lemon Tahini Sauce
Thick Greek Tzatziki Dip
Fresh Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing/Sauce
Creamy Yogurt-Dill Sauce with Feta
Easy Garlic Kebab Sauce
Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce
Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Sauce)
Garlic Dipping Sauce (Lebanese Toum)
Turkish Red Pepper and Walnut Dip (Muhammara)
Vegan Tzatziki
Recipe
You may also like
Meet the Author

What is falafel

Falafel is a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dish made with a mixture of ground chickpeas, onion, garlic, fresh herbs and spices. It is typically rolled into round balls or shaped into discs or patties and deep fried until golden brown. Falafel originates from Egypt where fava beans are traditionally used instead of chickpeas but it has become a popular dish in most Middle Eastern cuisines, including Lebanese, Turkish, Moroccan and Israeli.

Though typically deep fried in oil, falafel patties can also be baked or air fried for a healthier verison of this iconic vegetarian dish. Check out my Easy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe that uses canned chickpeas and as long as you have a food processor, it requires very little time to make. It comes out is wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy inside!

How is falafel served

Falafel can be served in many different ways but it is ALWAYS better with a sauce, either for dipping or for drizzling. Here are the most popular ways to serve this Middle Eastern food staple:

On its own as appetizer, often sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with a side of a dipping sauce (check the sauce list below for options!)
As part of a mezze platter or Falafel Platter, accompanied by fresh pita bread, olives, veggies, pickles and dips
In a falafel sandwich, typically in a pita pocket with greens, veggies and tasty sauce
On top of salads served a bed of greens and veggies, drizzled with salad dressing or falafel sauce
In a tortilla wrap or in this Greek-inspired Falafel Gyro (homemade falafel is wrapped in pita with greens, tomatoes, red onion and tzatziki sauce)

Is falafel served with tahini, tzatziki or hummus?

The short answer is: it depends. In its most traditional form, falafel balls are served with thick lemon tahini dressing made with thick tahini paste (made of sesame seeds), fresh lemon juice, garlic and water (find out how to make it in recipe card at the bottom of this post). This sauce almost always accompanies falafel in Israel and Arab countried of the Middle East. However, because falafel is popular in the whole Mediterranean region and globally at restaurants and take out joints, it is often enjoyed with other sauces and dips, most typically hummus, tzatziki and other yogurt-based sauces.

Best falafel sauce ideas

No matter if you're serving your own falafel or make it from a store-bought mix, you will definitely need a bowl of delicious sauce to go with it. Here is a list of my favorite Middle Eastern and Mediterranean inspired sauces that go exceptionally well with falafel.

Creamy Lemon Tahini Sauce

This super simple Lemon Tahini Sauce is the most traditional sauce served with falafel in the Middle East. It's tangy, nutty, garlicky and velvety smooth. It's also incredibly versatile - use it as thick dipping sauce ot thin it out with cold water to make it pourable which makes it perfect as delicious salad dressing. Learn how to make it in the recipe card below!

Thick Greek Tzatziki Dip

Thick Greek tzatziki dip is made with strained yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic and a secret ingredient that makes it super creamy. This authentic recipe is insanely good and perfect for dipping falafel in. Get recipe

Fresh Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing/Sauce

This lemon herb tahini recipe needs only 9 fresh, raw ingredients, and no cooking is involved. Just take your blender, add all ingredients and make this refreshing and earthy sauce in 5 minutes! You will have a nutty, tangy, and green tahini dressing in no time which pairs well with many dishes. Get recipe

Creamy Yogurt-Dill Sauce with Feta

This creamyYogurt-Dill Saucegoes together in just minutes, and is delicious as a dip, dressing, or sauce. Light and fresh, it pairs well with many Greek, Middle Eastern, and Mediterraneanfoods. Get recipe

Easy Garlic Kebab Sauce

Garlic Kebab Sauce is so easy to make at home. With only 5 ingredients this delicious creamy garlicky sauce is ready in just minutes. Serve this Greek garlic sauce slathered over falafel, beef kafta, hot doner, Greek chicken or even as a simple salad dressing. Get recipe

Kebab Shop Chilli Sauce

Learn how to make the best Turkish kebab shop chilli sauce with this homemade recipe. It’s so easy to make and packed full of flavour; you’re going to be pouring this sauce on everything! Get recipe

Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Sauce)

Haydari is a delicious Turkish Yoghurt Dip made with feta cheese, thick strained yogurt, fresh herbs, and chopped walnuts. This tangy dip is one of the most popular mezes in Turkey and also is widely served in Turkish restaurants with kebabs. Perfect for falafel, too! Get recipe

Garlic Dipping Sauce (Lebanese Toum)

Lebanese Garlic Sauce is a thick, creamy sauce with an intense garlic flavor. It is wonderfully delicious served on grilled meats, falafel and shawarma but it can be used on practically anything.This garlicky sauce is dairy-free. Get recipe

Turkish Red Pepper and Walnut Dip (Muhammara)

Muhammara is a savory Turkish red pepper and walnut dip flavored with pomegranate molasses and warm spices. Perfect for falafel, grilled meats or simple pita bread. Get recipe

Vegan Tzatziki

Thick and tangy, this vegan tzatziki is the ultimate summer side dish. Light and refreshing cucumber combined with creamy and garlicky vegan yogurt makes this delicious dip irresistible! Use oat milk yogurt for best results. Get recipe

If you like this compilation ofFalafel Saucesbe sure to leave me a comment and give this recipe a rating. I would love to hear from you and see how it turned out for you! You can also share and tag me onInstagram!

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Recipe

Easy Lemon Tahini Falafel Sauce

This super simple lemon tahini sauce is the most traditional sauce served with falafel in the Middle East. It's tangy, nutty, garlicky and velvety smooth. It's also incredibly versatile - use it as thick dipping sauce ot thin it out with cold water to make it pourable which makes it perfect as delicious salad dressing.

5 from 5 votes

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Ingredients

▢ ¼ cup tahini
▢ 2-3 tablespoon lemon juice (1 medium lemon)
▢ 1 garlic clove pressed or minced
▢ ⅛ teaspoon salt
▢ 2-4 tablespoon cold water

Instructions

In a small bowl whisk together tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt. The mixture will be thin at first but it will thicken after a few minutes.
Slowly add 2 tablespoons of water and keep whisking to thin the sauce out. If you want it thinner, add more water to reach the desired consistency.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks. You can also freeze it, if you want. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

The amount of water will depend on the desired consistency. Add less water if the sauce is meant for dipping and more water if it's meant to be drizzled or used as salad dressing.

Some brands of tahini are thicker than others. If your tahini looks split (with a layer of oil on top), stir it thoroughly until smooth before using. I like Mighty Sesame Co Organic Tahini because it's smooth, creamy and easily sueezable which makes it ready to use.

Taste the sauce and adjust the flavor and consistency by adding more lemon juice, salt, garlic or water. I find that if this sauce sits for a while, it becomes thicker so I tend to add a drop of cold water again right before serving.

Nutrition

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Meet the Author

Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.

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FAQs

What are the 2 types of falafel? ›

There are three types of falafel--Traditional falafel, baked falafel and lemon falafel. “Where the traditional falafel is the basic fried falafel comprising a mix of chickpeas, onions, garlic, herbs and spices, baked falafels are made using fresh herbs in the chickpea mixture,” says Chef Sati from Ophelia.

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What does falafel pair with? ›

Hummus is a classic falafel pairing that is traditional across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Egypt and Israel. Most traditional eateries serve hummus and falafel with a tahini sauce. This is traditionally known as a “falafel plate” and is not unlike a mezze you'll most likely have tried yourself!

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What is the best binder for falafel? ›

Many recipes use egg or flour as a binding agent. I prefer to chill falafel instead, as it keeps them nice and airy with no added filler. Don't skip the chill! It's necessary to ensure they maintain their shape.

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Is falafel good for you or bad for you? ›

Chickpeas in falafel contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, B vitamins and folate. They are full of antioxidants and are useful in fighting diseases. Of course, we emphasize again that you try to prepare it at home and do not fry it. If it is fried, its fat and calories increase and the food is no longer so healthy.

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What is falafel white sauce made of? ›

Ingredients

1 cup Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt Unsweetened Plain.
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
1 garlic clove.
1 tablespoon of maple syrup.
1 teaspoon dried parsley.
1 teaspoon lemon juice.
1 teaspoon sea salt.
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

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How is falafel traditionally served? ›

Falafel is often served in a pita, samoon, laffa, or wrapped in a flatbread known as taboon; "falafel" also frequently refers to a wrapped sandwich that is prepared in this way. The falafel balls may be topped with salads, pickled vegetables, and hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces.

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Is falafel Greek or Arab? ›

The origins of the falafel can be traced back to Egypt, which is located between Africa and the Middle East. Egyptians are said to eat falafels every day. In fact, falafels are considered their national dish. Falafels reached North America and Germany in the 20th century.

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Is falafel healthier than gyro meat? ›

Go with the falafel. The gyro has more saturated fat, more calories, and (usually) more sodium than the falafel—or chicken or vegetable sandwich fillings—on most menus. Take Daphne's, a "California-fresh" West Coast chain with 56 restaurants that lists calories on its menus and Nutrition Facts on its Web site.

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What do Israelis eat with falafel? ›

Serve with many fresh condiments such as red and green cabbage, Israeli salad, pickles, drizzle lots of tahini, amba, arisa, and very fresh warm pita bread.

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Is falafel good for bowels? ›

A lack of fibre in the diet can cause constipation, which affects around 20% of people each year. The dietary fibre in falafel cannot be digested, but it helps to make stools bigger and softer. This allows them to pass through the gut more quickly and easily. It can also help discourage painful straining.

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What alcohol goes with falafel? ›

Falafel best match are rype, juicy and aromatic rosé or white wines with sweet summer fruit aromas such peach and mango.

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Why not use canned chickpeas for falafel? ›

Turns out that dried chickpeas are essential to good falafel. See, canned chickpeas have already been cooked. Starch molecules within them have already burst and released their sticky contents, much of which get washed away in the cooking liquid, leaving the remaining chickpeas with very little clinging power.

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Why do you put baking soda in falafel? ›

The baking soda is meant to be added just 5-15 minutes before frying! If you don't have baking soda, then use baking powder instead. Don't skip this ingredient as it helps your falafel become airy and soft rather than tough and dense.

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Why does my falafel fall apart when I fry it? ›

A few rough bits are completely fine. If the mixture is too wet, the falafel has a tendency to fall apart when being fried so please pat dry the ingredients before using them. If you find the mixture is too wet, simply add little more breadcrumbs.

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What is falafel made of? ›

Falafel are deep-fried balls or patties made from chickpeas or fava beans, sometimes both, plus fresh herbs and spices. Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern street food sold from vendors or fast-casual spots in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Israel, where it's the national dish.