Falafel Sandwich from The Halal Guys features crispy, golden-brown falafel balls made from spiced chickpeas, nestled in a warm pita bread with fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, tangy pickles, and drizzled with creamy tahini sauce, delivering a flavorful and satisfying Middle Eastern street food experience.
Equipments
- Food processor
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot
- Slotted spoon
- Paper towels
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Pita bread
- Serving plate
- Squeeze bottle (for tahini sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 1 small onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 4 pita breads
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced pickles
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove
- Salt (for tahini sauce)
Dried chickpeas are essential for authentic falafel texture and flavor, and soaking them overnight improves consistency. Fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro enhance the taste, while spices such as cumin, coriander, and cayenne bring signature Middle Eastern warmth. Baking powder and flour help create a light, crispy exterior when fried in hot vegetable oil. Use fresh pita bread to hold the falafel and toppings, ensuring your sandwich stays soft yet structured. Your Falafel Sandwich from The Halal Guys copycat menu will capture the classic combination of crispy falafel, fresh veggies, and creamy tahini for a delicious street food experience.
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Soak chickpeas in water overnight, then drain.
- Add chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, and cilantro to a food processor; pulse until coarse.
- Add cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, cayenne, baking powder, and flour; pulse until mixture holds together.
- Transfer falafel mixture to a bowl; cover and refrigerate for 30–60 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Shape falafel mixture into small balls or patties.
- Fry falafel balls in batches until golden brown and crispy, 3–4 minutes per batch.
- Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.
- In a bowl, whisk tahini, water, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt until smooth; transfer to a squeeze bottle.
- Warm pita breads.
- Slice tomatoes and pickles; shred lettuce.
- Assemble: Open pita bread, layer with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and falafel balls.
- Drizzle with tahini sauce.
- Serve immediately on a plate.
Substitution
The Falafel Sandwich from The Halal Guys copycat menu features crispy, spiced chickpea patties in warm pita with fresh veggies and creamy tahini sauce. If dried chickpeas are unavailable, canned chickpeas can be used, but be sure to drain and dry them thoroughly to avoid soggy falafel. You can substitute fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro with dried versions, though fresh will provide a brighter flavor. When deep frying is not an option, baking the falafel balls at 375degF for 20-25 minutes can yield a healthier alternative, though they may lose some crispiness. Adjust seasoning in the tahini sauce to suit your taste, and if the sauce is too thick, add a bit more water or lemon juice for ideal consistency.
Tips
Make sure to soak the chickpeas overnight as canned chickpeas won't achieve the right texture for crispy falafel. When pulsing the mixture in the food processor, avoid overprocessing to keep the falafel coarse and tender inside. Heat the oil to exactly 350degF (175degC) for even frying; oil that's too cool will make falafel greasy, while too hot will burn the outside. Use your squeeze bottle to evenly drizzle tahini sauce on the sandwich, enhancing every bite with balanced flavors.
Nutritions
Your Falafel Sandwich from The Halal Guys offers a rich source of plant-based protein and fiber, primarily from chickpeas, which support digestive health and sustained energy levels. The fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes contribute essential vitamins A and C, along with antioxidants, while the tahini sauce adds healthy fats and calcium from sesame seeds. Each pita bread provides carbohydrates crucial for energy, balancing the sandwich's macronutrient profile. This combination makes the falafel sandwich a nutritious and satisfying meal choice for a balanced diet.
Storage
Store leftover falafel balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain their crispiness. Keep the tahini sauce separate in a sealed container to preserve its creamy texture and refrigerate for up to one week. Your pita bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles should be stored separately in the fridge to prevent sogginess and ensure freshness when ready to assemble your falafel sandwich.
Variation or Alternatives
You can experiment by substituting chickpeas with fava beans or a combination of both for a different texture and flavor in your falafel. Baking the falafel instead of frying reduces oil consumption while still maintaining a crispy exterior if you lightly brush them with olive oil before baking at 375degF (190degC) for 20-25 minutes. Adding spices like smoked paprika or ground sumac can enhance the Middle Eastern profile and add smoky or tangy notes to your mixture. For a vegan twist, swap traditional tahini sauce with a creamy avocado-tahini blend by blending ripe avocado with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
Allergies
Your falafel sandwich contains chickpeas, sesame in the tahini sauce, and wheat in the pita bread, all of which are common allergens. Individuals with allergies to legumes, sesame seeds, or gluten should exercise caution before consuming this dish. Cross-contamination risks may also exist due to frying and food preparation methods.
Why this recipe?
The Falafel Sandwich from The Halal Guys is beloved for its crispy, flavorful chickpea patties perfectly seasoned with Middle Eastern spices. Its fresh ingredients, including crunchy lettuce, tangy pickles, and creamy tahini sauce, create a deliciously balanced taste in every bite. You'll appreciate how its vegan-friendly profile satisfies diverse dietary preferences without compromising on taste. Trying to make a copycat recipe allows you to recreate this iconic street food experience at home with customizable flavors.