This falafel sandwich is my favorite way to use frozen, homemade falafel I prepped over the weekend. It’s deliciously filling, packed with goodness, and made even better with the creamy and garlicky yogurt spinach sauce, a yogurt dip I’ve been obsessed with lately.
Table of Contents
- A Middle Eastern Falafel Sandwich with a Persian Twist
- Why You Will Like This Falafel Sandwich
- Ingredients needed
- How to Make a Falafel Sandwich
- Other Choice of Veggie Fillings for Falafel Sandwich
- Related Recipes
A Middle Eastern Falafel Sandwich with a Persian Twist
Pairing a falafel sandwich with Greek yogurt spinach sauce was something I picked up from my Persian husband. He adds yogurt to almost everything – for the added protein, and perhaps as part of his roots.
Falafel isn’t originally a Persian food, but falafel sandwiches are a popular street food in Iran. Interestingly, although tahini has its roots in Iran, the falafel sandwich there was never served with tahini but instead with ketchup and mustard. I’m not sure why they don’t adapt the tahini sauce in the falafel sandwich when the ground sesame is a staple there.
However, since Greek yogurt is more of an everyday condiment in our house and tahini can be hard to find, this version of the falafel sandwich with yogurt spinach sauce has become our ultimate favorite sandwich!
Why You Will Like This Falafel Sandwich
- Rich in Fiber – From the bread to the spinach yogurt sauce and falafel itself, every part brings in some good fiber.
- High in Protein – Greek yogurt and falafel make this sandwich a protein-packed dish.
- Natural Probiotic – The Greek yogurt sauce adds a gut-friendly touch.
- Truly Wholesome – It’s balanced, nourishing, and made from real ingredients.
- Prep-Friendly – Everything from the falafel to the pita and sauce can be prepped ahead, making it perfect for busy days.
Ingredients needed
- Whole Wheat Pita Bread – Any storebought or homemade pita bread works. I like whole wheat pita for a whole-grain choice of bread. They add extra fiber to the sandwich.
- Falafel – Store-bought frozen falafel or homemade falafel.
- Yogurt Spinach Sauce – This sauce requires just 4 ingredients: Greek yogurt, spinach, garlic, and salt.
- Pickled Onions – These bring a savory flavor that really lifts the whole sandwich. Honestly, it won’t taste the same without them. If you don’t have it on hand, plain sliced onions still work!
- Lettuce – I use Romaine for its fresh crunch.
- Bell Pepper – Bell pepper adds freshness and crispness!
- Tomato – cherry tomato or regular tomato, it’s up to you.
How to Make a Falafel Sandwich
Step 1. Air-fry the falafel
Arrange the falafel into the air-fryer basket and air-fry them for 10 minutes at 200 °C. Meanwhile, you can continue to the next step!
Step 2. Prep the veggies and pita bread
Cut and slice the veggies for the filling. Halve the pita bread to open the pocket.
Step 3. Make the Yogurt Spinach Sauce
- Blanch the spinach – Rinse the spinach and set it aside. In a pot, bring water to a boil. Once boiling, transfer the rinsed spinach into the water and let it submerge for 60 seconds. Meanwhile, bring cold water and ice cubes into a medium-sized bowl. Strain the spinach and transfer it to the cold bath. Squeeze the spinach dry, separate them, and set them aside.
- Make the yogurt base sauce – Combine Greek yogurt, grated garlic, and salt in a small bowl, and stir with a spoon until combined.
- Combine blanched spinach with yogurt – Transfer the blanched spinach into the yogurt mixture and stir with a spoon.
Step 4. Assemble
Open the pita bread, layer the vegetables and pickled onions, just enough to fill each bite with flavor, add a scoop of the creamy yogurt spinach sauce, then fill the remaining space with 2-3 pieces of falafel (cut if needed) and enjoy!
Other Choice of Veggie Fillings for Falafel Sandwich
- Coleslaw
- Sauerkraut
- Other vegetable pickles
- Fruit slices for natural sweetness
- Microgreens
- Olives
Related Recipes
Falafel Sandwich with Whole Wheat Pita and Yogurt Sauce
4
sandwiches10
minutes10
minutesA wholesome Middle Eastern falafel sandwich recipe with creamy yogurt spinach sauce, all tucked in soft whole wheat pita. Packed with probiotics, fiber, and protein, this sandwich is so nourishing and keeps you full longer.
Ingredients
6-8 pieces Falafel
2 Whole wheat pita bread – halve and pry open
- Yogurt Spinach Sauce
80 g Greek yogurt (4 dollops)
100 g Baby spinach
1 Garlic – grated
1/4 tsp Salt
- Vegetables filling
1 Lettuce – Romaine
1 Tomato
4 tbsp Pickled onion
1 small Bell Pepper
Directions
- Cook the falafel – I use an air fryer to avoid excess oil. Feel free to use whatever method you’re comfortable with. Arrange the falafel in the air fryer basket and cook at 200°C (390°F) for 10 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your falafel. While they’re cooking, move on to the next step.
- Prepare the vegetable filling – Rinse, dry, and slice all the vegetables for the filling.
- Make yogurt spinach sauce –
i. Blanch the spinach – Bring half a pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the spinach and submerge them to cook for 60 seconds.
Meanwhile, fill a bowl with cold water and ice cubes. Transfer the spinach into the ice bath using a skimmer or tongs.
Using your hand, squeeze the spinach to dry, separate them, and set them aside.
ii. Make the yogurt base –Â Combine Greek yogurt, grated garlic, and salt in a small bowl, and use a spoon to stir until evenly spread.
iii. Add the blanched spinach to the yogurt mixture and stir to combine. - Assemble – Open the pita bread and layer the pocket with fresh vegetables and pickles. Add 2–3 pieces of falafel, then generously spoon in the creamy yogurt spinach sauce. Repeat with the remaining pita and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Ninja Air-Fryer 4 in 1Check on Amazon
- Zwilling StockpotCheck on Amazon
- Skimmer Ladle SpoonCheck on Amazon
🥣 Did you try this recipe? Don’t forget to save or share it if you did. I’d love to hear how it turned out!
