The Best Falafel Pita Sandwich (Lebanese)

Why is this the best? It uses my family’s authentic Lebanese falafel recipe, Lebanese pita bread, though you can use whatever pita bread you want, and it’s filled with typical fillings found in a Lebanese falafel pita sandwich. I promise you, you will want more!

What is a Falafel Pita Sandwich?

Pita bread is a type of round, hollow bread that originates from the Middle East, typically made with wheat flour and yeast, and is known for its unique pocket-like structure that can be filled with various ingredients. 

It can easily be found in your local supermarket in many forms, the best pita bread for this recipe is Lebanese pita bread, however, you can use any type of pita you prefer.

A falafel pita sandwich is pita bread that is filled with freshly made crispy falafel, fresh vegetables and tarator which is the tahini lemon sauce that originates from the Middle East and is used with many foods, one of which is falafel.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It’s exactly how most Lebanese folk enjoy eating their falafel in pita bread, this is coming from someone with Lebanese heritage! A few minor variations are noted too.
• Seriously appetizing, the flavors of the fresh veggies and fried falafel balls are magical and when topped with the falafel sauce, you’ll definitely be wanting maybe 2 pita sandwiches (1.5 for the gals haha).
• Homemade falafel is vegan! Though you can use a store-bought falafel if you’d like. As a bonus my falafel recipe is GF too. To make this a vegan and gluten free sandwich, use gluten free pita bread. This article discusses in depth "is falafel gf?"
• I will show you exactly the layering of the ingredients to make the best falafel sandwich, with easy step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients You'll Need

Lebanese pita bread can usually be found at your local Middle Eastern grocer, some supermarkets have it. This is a naturally vegan bread.

The trick with selecting fresh Lebanese pita bread, is it must be malleable.

Give the bag of bread a few good bends with your hands, if it isn’t soft and able to bend easily, then the bread isn’t fresh.

Falafel, you want the best tasting, freshest and crunchiest golden brown falafels. I linked my Lebanese falafel recipe in the recipe card below, or here's a healthier version of air fryer falafel - uses a lot less oil) which is made out of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and fava beans.

You can read this article about falafel being vegan, if you will be purchasing your falafel balls.

Falafel Sandwich Fillings

Fresh herbs are always used in a Lebanese sandwich. You will need fresh parsley leaves and mint leaves which are roughly chopped, this is the leafy green herb component you don't want to go without.

Ripe tomatoes and onion are sliced thinly, not too thick, remember you need to roll the pita bread. You can use any colored onions you like, my favorites are white or red onion.

Lebanese pickles, there are a few types of Lebanese pickles, I like to use pickled peppers or pink pickled turnips, or pickled cucumbers. These pickles are not sweet, they are salty. Give them a quick rinse prior to using them. You can find them at your local Middle Eastern grocer.

Fresh radish, thinly chopped. These add a fresh and juicy crunch to the sandwich.

Creamy tahini sauce is called tarator or falafel sauce. It brings all the ingredients together, don’t be afraid to add quite a bit. Here's the tahini sauce recipe.

Variation

You can use any sandwich type of leafy green such as arugula, or lettuce as part of the filling.

You can leave out the Lebanese pickles, although I highly recommend them.

You can use a base of authentic hummus or baba ghanoush to spread on the bread and or a generous smear of Lebanese garlic sauce.

Here's a list of ideas of falafel sides.

How to Make The Best Falafel Pita Sandwich

Pull apart a single Lebanese pita bread and then layer the two halves on top of each other on some parchment paper, which will be used to wrap the falafel pita sandwich. See the video for an explanation. See the tip below for using other types of pita.

Place 3 falafel patties on the bread in a single layer, about ¾ down toward the end closest to you and then give them a squash to break them apart.

Add the fresh ingredients. Add layers of chopped parsley leaves, radish, tomato and onion. 

Add the pickles. Depending on the Lebanese pickles you use, add a layer of that too according to their size.

Drizzle the falafel sauce, (be liberal using good judgment) all over the filling.

Time to roll up. Fold the bottom of the pita bread up over the filling, then fold the right side over, and roll like a burrito.

Place the pita sandwich half on the parchment paper, (to roll it half covered) and roll it away from you, then twist the end like a bonbon. Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your falafel pita wrap with a side of potatoes, such as my favorite spicy Lebanese potatoes. Or the most incredible cauliflower bites.

Want additional fibre, try a side of authentic taboule.

Can't be bothered rolling the sandwich? Try making this Lebanese falafel bowl instead. Or try plant based falafel burgers.

This falafel pita is featured in this list of falafel for dinner which can give you more ideas for how to enjoy falafel.

More Vegan Middle Eastern Food

Check out my delicious falafel quinoa salad.

Here's a list of some of the most amazing vegan Middle Eastern recipes.

For more amazing vegan Lebanese sandwiches, check out

• Veggie shawarma, this wrap is bursting with flavor, made with mushrooms.
• Tofu shish tawook in a wrap, it's tangy and sour filled with fresh and pickled veggies. You've never had tofu like this before!