Falafel Gyro Recipe (with lemon tahini sauce)

This Falafel Gyro recipe is a perfect meatless meal for the whole family to enjoy. Learn how to make flavorful homemade falafels from scratch, wrap in flatbread, add your favorite toppings and bring a little piece of the Mediterranean into your home.

Grant and I had the privilege to go on a pilgrimage to Israel with my mom and her friend just after we got engaged. We had falafel pita sandwiches for lunch every day, and it was a delightful experience. As a big fan of falafel in any form, I think I could very easily be a vegetarian, but Grant is a bit more of a meatatarian. This delicious falafel gyro recipe with lemon tahini sauce is a perfect blend of our tastes, making it a favorite in our household.

So what exactly is falafel? Falafel is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from garbanzo beans, also known as chickpeas. These little chickpea balls or patties are seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, then deep-fried to a crispy perfection. Falafel is traditionally served in fluffy pita bread, making for a fantastic vegetarian gyro option that is both nutritious and flavorful.

Gyros, on the other hand, are a traditional Greek dish typically made with meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is sliced thin and served in pita bread with vegetables and sauces. Our falafel gyro recipe is a delicious vegetarian twist on the traditional gyro, combining the best of Middle Eastern and Greek cuisines.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Falafel Gyros Recipe
• Substitutions
• Variations
• What to Serve With Falafel Gyros
• Storage Instructions
• FAQs
• Falafel Gyro Recipe (with lemon tahini sauce)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Fusion: This falafel gyro recipe combines the best of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors, creating a unique and delightful dish.
• Healthy and Delicious: Packed with nutritious garbanzo beans and fresh herbs, these gyros are not only delicious but also a healthy meal option.
• Versatile and Satisfying: Whether you're a vegetarian or a meat lover like Grant, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that satisfies all taste preferences.

Ingredients

For the Homemade Falafels

• Dried Chickpeas: The base of our falafel, providing a rich source of protein and fiber. Soaking them overnight ensures the perfect texture.
• Onion and Garlic Cloves: Adds a subtle sweetness and robust, savory flavor to the falafel mixture.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides a fresh, herbaceous note and bright color.
• Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cumin, and Ground Coriander: These spices bring a warm, earthy, and slightly spicy flavor that is essential in Middle Eastern cuisine.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Enhance all the flavors in the falafel mixture, adding depth and a touch of heat.
• Baking Powder: Helps lighten the texture, making the falafels fluffy and tender.
• Chickpea Flour (or plain flour): Binds the mixture together, ensuring the falafels hold their shape during frying.
• Vegetable or Sunflower Oil: Provides the necessary medium for deep frying, giving the falafels their crispy exterior.

See the recipe card for quantities.

To Assemble the Falafel Gyros

• Pita Bread: Soft and fluffy, perfect for wrapping around the falafel and toppings.
• Shredded Lettuce: Adds a refreshing crunch and a bit of color.
• Middle Eastern Pickles: Provide a tangy contrast that complements the falafel.
• Lemon Yogurt Tahini Sauce: A creamy, zesty sauce that ties all the flavors together.

Falafel Gyros Recipe

Homemade Falafel Recipe

Soak the Chickpeas 

• Add the dried chickpeas to a large mixing bowl and cover with double the amount of cold water. Allow to soak at room temperature overnight. (The chickpeas will triple in size so make sure you use a big enough bowl and that you add enough water to the bowl.)

Drain the Chickpeas

• The following day, drain and rinse chickpeas under running cold water. 
• Dry chickpeas in a colander or sieve lined with a paper towel.

Make the Falafel Mixture

• Add the soaked chickpeas, onion, garlic, parsley, cayenne pepper, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper to the bowl of a food processor. 
• Pulse until the chickpeas resembles fine breadcrumbs. 
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. (The falafel mixture shouldn’t be mushy or pasty but should hold its shape when pressed together.) 
• Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and mix in the baking powder and flour. 

Rest the Falafel Mixture

• Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Shape the Falafel

• Use a tablespoon measuring spoon, measure out 1 tablespoon of the mixture and shape into falafel balls or chickpea patties with wet hands. 
• Place your falafel on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (Both shapes work for deep frying, the patties work better for pan frying or baking.)

Cook Falafel 

• Deep Fry: Fill a deep, heavy-based, medium saucepan (deep cast iron skillet or Dutch oven) with enough oil to come to about 5 - 7 cm (2 - 3 inches) up the sides of the pan. Gently heat the oil on medium heat to 180°C (350°F). 
• Once the oil has reached temperature, fry the falafel in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. (Keep monitoring the temperature of the oil.) Transfer the cooked falafel to a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels. 
• Season with salt.

Traditional falafel is deep fried but alternatively falafel can also be pan fried, baked, or even air fried

• Pan Fry: Heat 2 - 3 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-based saucepan (or cast iron skillet) on medium - high heat. Pan fry falafel in batches for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked falafel to a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towel. Season with salt.
• Oven-Baked: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly brush falafel with olive oil on both sides and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer the cooked falafel to a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towel. Season with salt.

TO ASSEMBLE THE FALAFEL GYROS

• Serve crispy falafels in warm pitas with shredded lettuce, pickles and a drizzle of lemon tahini sauce.

Substitutions

• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pita or flatbread to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute the lemon yogurt tahini sauce with a dairy-free tahini sauce to keep the recipe entirely plant-based.
• Low Carb Swap: Opt for a lettuce wrap or serve the falafel over cauliflower rice instead of pita bread for a low-carb version.

Variations

• Time-Saving Shortcut: Use store-bought falafels, available fresh or frozen, to significantly reduce prep time. Warm up or cook the falafel following the package instructions. Alternatively, order freshly prepared falafel from your local Middle Eastern restaurant for a quick and easy meal.

Other Ways to Serve Homemade Chickpea Falafels:

• Appetizer with a Dip: Serve falafel as an appetizer with a variety of dips like hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush for a crowd-pleasing starter.
• Falafel Gyro Sandwich: Enjoy your falafel in a sandwich with all your favorite toppings for a delicious and portable meal.
• Meal Prep Bowls: Use falafel as the protein in meal prep bowls with grains, vegetables, and a tasty dressing for a balanced and convenient lunch option. Try our Mediterranean Falafel Rice Bowls.

What to Serve With Falafel Gyros

• Bread: Pita Bread, or Flatbread like Turkish flatbread or naan bread.
• Lettuce: Shredded cos or iceberg lettuce or arugula.
• Fresh Veggies: Cherry tomatoes cut in half, Persian cucumber slices, julienned red onion, or try our Jerusalem salad.
• Sauces, Spreads, or Condiments: Hummus, Tzatziki, Yogurt Tahini sauce, Middle Eastern pickles, or hot sauce.
• Side Dishes: Potato wedges or oven-baked French fries.
• Tabbouleh: A refreshing parsley and bulgur salad that pairs perfectly with falafel.

Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Store leftover falafel in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
• Freezer: Raw or cooked falafel can be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container (or freezer bag) for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: The best way to reheat falafel is in a preheated oven at 200°C (425°F) for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat falafel in the microwave, but they will not be as crispy or in the air fryer, just be careful not to dry them out.

FAQs

Making homemade falafel gyros is a rewarding experience that brings the rich flavors of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine into your kitchen. With our step-by-step guide, you can easily create a delicious and nutritious meal that everyone will love. 

Don't forget to share your creations with us on social media and leave a comment below with your feedback. Try this recipe today and enjoy an easy lunch or dinner that's both healthy and satisfying!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.