Falafel Pita Sandwich

By Sophia DeSantis, Reviewed by Anjali Shah on April 10, 2025

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This healthy Falafel Pita Sandwich is quick to make and perfect for busy weeknights. It’s filled with homemade vegan falafel, creamy tzatziki, and fresh toppings that everyone can customize. When I prep the falafel ahead of time, it comes together in no time and always makes a great meal my family enjoys.

Two falafel pita sandwiches on a plate next to ranch dip

One of the big reasons I make this falafel sandwich is because it turns mealtime into something fun, especially when the kids get involved. They love building their own, and I’ve seen them happily pile on veggies I never thought they’d touch. I usually start with my easy vegan falafel, which I keep on hand in the fridge or freezer for quick meals like this.

Table of Contents hide

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

🍽 Serving Suggestions

🧊 Storage Directions

❓Recipe FAQs

🥣 More Healthy Sandwich Recipes!

📋 Recipe Card

Plus, guess what? It’s super budget friendly, which is always a win in my book. Most of the ingredients are already hanging out in my pantry, so I don’t have to overthink it. I just toss everything together, add a big spoonful of vegan tzatziki sauce, and ta-da… I have a fresh, flavorful meal I actually want to sit down for.

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

This falafel sandwich has become a regular in our house because it’s fun to make, easy to serve, and honestly, how could anyone say no to something this flavorful? That’s just not possible when you’re a foodie like me and my family. My kids like picking out their own toppings, and I love the idea of making dinner together, and not just another meal I’m rushing to get on the table.

I’m always thinking about balance, both in flavor and nutrition, and this vegan falafel sandwich fits that perfectly. It’s loaded with plant-based protein from the chickpeas, one of my favorite pantry staples. I use them all the time when I’m creating healthy recipes, like my chickpea salad sandwich, another favorite in our house that that disappears the second I set it down.

And you know what, when I have the opportunity to make a dish that is already made in advance, thats is always going to lift me up, especially when your agenda as a mom is pretty, lets call it “intense” Ha! When I reheat my homemade falafel in the oven, they taste just as good as the day I made them. Whether I’m feeding my kids, making lunch for myself, or putting out a DIY sandwich bar for friends, this recipe always get thumps up from everyone!

🥘 Ingredients

As customizable as this recipe is, the basic ingredients I always start with for my vegan falafel sandwich are simple and fresh.

Homemade Vegan Falafel: The best part is I always have an extra batch in the freezer, ready to go whenever I’m craving this sandwich. It makes putting everything together super quick.

Pita Bread: I used gluten-free pita, but feel free to use any flatbread, lavash, sandwich bread, or even lettuce wraps if that’s what you like.

Vegan Tzatziki: I always recommend making fresh homemade vegan tzatziki for the best flavor in this sandwich. A good store-bought organic vegan version can work too if you’re short on time.

Toppings: My top pick combo is lettuce, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges. It adds crunch and freshness to my sandwich.

🔪 How To Make

Once the vegan falafel and sauce are ready, the rest of this falafel pita sandwich recipe comes together so easily. My kids actually ask me to make it almost every week, and I can’t blame them.

Prep the ingredients: If my falafel is in the freezer, I pop them in the air fryer at 375°F for 8 to 10 minutes until warm and crisp. I give the tzatziki a quick stir since I usually have it ready in the fridge, then I slice up all the veggies for the sandwich.

Time to assemble: First, I spread a spoonful of sauce onto a piece of pita. It makes the perfect base for layering everything else.

A wooden table with ingredients to make a falafel pita and one pita with sauce on it next to them.

Add the falafel: I place three falafel right into the pita, gently pressing them down so they stay in place.

Pita bread spread with sauce and two falafel with more ingredients around it on a wooden table.

Add the toppings: I layer in sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and any other toppings I’m in the mood for. This is where you can really make it your own.

Ingredients to make a falafel sandwich surrounding a pita bread where the sandwich is being built on.

Serve: Once everything’s in, I fold it up and serve right away.

A pita bread with sauce, falafel, cucumbers and tomatoes on it surrounded by more of the imgredients.

💭 Expert Tips

My #1 Secret Tip for making the best falafel sandwich recipe is to layer the sauce on the pita first, then again on top. It might sound simple, but spreading a little sauce on the inside of the pita before adding the falafel helps everything stay moist and flavorful. Then, once the falafel and toppings are in, I add another spoonful on top. It brings everything together and makes the sandwich complete without being dry.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

Warm the pita before filling it: I always warm the pita for a few seconds in the oven or on a skillet. It softens the bread and makes it easier to fold without tearing.
Slice the veggies thin: Thinly sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions make every bite more balanced. It keeps the sandwich from getting too bulky and helps everything layer neatly.
Don’t overload the pita: Too many fillings can make everything fall apart. I stick with about three falafel and a few toppings so it stays easy to hold and eat.
Add fresh herbs at the end: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill right before serving adds a little pop of flavor.

📖 Variations

I’ve played around with these falafel sandwich variations over the years, and I’m excited to share a few of my favorites with you. That said, don’t be afraid to make them your own.

Mediterranean Wrap: I swap the classic Tzatziki for a layer of hummus without garlic and add roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, and a handful of chopped parsley. Sometimes I’ll throw in a little crumbled feta if I’m not keeping it vegan for my friends.

Spicy Falafel Crunch: I drizzle the sandwich with harissa yogurt or hot sauce, then layer in shredded cabbage or slaw for extra crunch. This version brings the heat and I love it with a few pickled onions on top.

Slice the falafel in half: This is my favorite one, I like to slice each falafel in half before tucking it into the sandwich. It lays flatter, makes every bite more balanced, and gives the sauce plenty of little pockets to sink into.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Setting up a DIY falafel sandwich bar is one of my favorite family-friendly meal ideas. Everyone gets to build their own just the way they like it, and when the kids feel in control, there’s way less whining at the table (win-win!). Here is how I do it:

We start by picking toppings as a family, everyone gets to choose something they love, and I sneak in a few extras I hope they’ll give a chance (even just one bite counts!).
I set out all the toppings in their own little bowls on the counter so it feels like a real sandwich bar, super easy and way more fun.
I start each plate with a warm pita or vegan flatbread, then add the falafel and let everyone go wild building their own dream sandwich.
To keep things silly (and get the kids extra into it), we give our creations fun names like “The Crunch Monster” or “The Spicy Stack”

On a regular night, I turn these sandwiches into a full meal by pairing them with a few of my favorite plant-based sides. A big Greek salad and a batch of my crispy eggplant fries keep things fresh and super filling.

🧊 Storage Directions

Refrigeration: I store cooked falafel in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay good for 3 to 5 days. I like to keep everything separate so it stays fresh until I’m ready to build my sandwich.

Freezing: I do no recommend freezing this falafel sandwich.

❓Recipe FAQs

What kind of bread works best for this sandwich?

I usually go for pita pockets, but flatbread or wraps work great too. Anything soft and sturdy enough to hold all the fillings will do the trick.

Can I serve this to toddlers or babies?

Yes, with a few adjustments. I leave out the salt and spicy toppings, and I cut the falafel into small, soft pieces so it’s easy for little ones to eat safely.

How do I stop the sandwich from falling apart?

Over the years, I’ve had more than a few overstuffed falafel sandwiches fall apart in my hands. So now I’ve got a little trick, I slice the falafel in half before adding them in. I also try to layer with intention, tucking the messier toppings like saucy cucumbers or juicy tomatoes right in the middle.

Hand holding a half eaten falafel pita sandwich with onion and tzatziki on top.

🥣 More Healthy Sandwich Recipes!

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