Falafel Pitas (with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce)

Made with crispy, flavorful falafel patties nestled in warm, soft pita bread and topped with fresh vegetables and creamy sauces, these Falafel Pita Wraps offer a perfect blend of textures and tastes. For an easy, healthy and flavorful meal, I recommend using my air fryer falafel for this recipe.

If you're a falafel fan, you can't go wrong with simple falafel pita sandwiches! They're not really sandwiches, more like wraps or gyros but you get the drill - crispy falafel balls (or patties), fresh lettuce, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and red onions wrapped in a warm, soft pita bread.

Falafel pitas are a popular Middle Eastern street food that's common in countries like Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. Today, falafel is enjoyed globally and is a beloved staple in Middle Eastern cuisine.

The traditional Middle Eastern falafel pita comes with tahini sauce (learn how to make it in this post devoted to best falafel sauces).

For my version of a falafel sandwich recipe, I decided to go with less traditional, more Greek than Middle Eastern, yet still delicious and refreshing, homemade tzatziki sauce. 

This recipe is featured in my roudup of 20 Best Wrap Ideas for Lunch.

Ingredient notes

• Falafel: my favorite way to make falafel is in the air fryer. My easy air fryer falafel recipe uses canned chickpeas, fresh herbs and pantry staples.

• Pita Bread: I like Joseph's Flax and Oat Bran pitas.
• Cucumbers: mini cucumbers (also known as Persian cucumbers) work best but you can also use chopped English cucumbers or regular cucumbers.
• Tomatoes: I used cherry tomatoes but if all you have are regular tomatoes, chop them into bite size pieces.
• Red Onions: white or sweet onions will also work. If you prefer, use pickled red onions.
• Lettuce: I like Baby Crispy Green Leaf from Little Leaf Farms but you can also use Romaine lettuce or spring mix. 
• Tzatziki Sauce: learn how to make it below

The best homemade Tzatziki Sauce

I love my tzatziki thick, creamy, and packed with garlic. While traditional Greek tzatziki doesn’t include dill, I’m a big fan of the cucumber-dill combo, so I added it in. Feel free to skip the dill if it’s not your favorite.

Here's what you'll need to make thick tzatziki sauce:

• Cucumber
• Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
• Fresh garlic
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Fresh dill
• Salt and pepper

Step 1: Finely grate the cucumber, then wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out most of the moisture.

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the grated cucumber with Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper.

How to make Falafel Pita Sandwiches

STEP 1: Make the Falafel: Air fry or fry the falafel patties until they are hot. I recommend using my easy air fryer falafel recipe, but feel free to use whatever falafel you have.

STEP 2: Warm the Pitas: Place the pitas on a baking sheet and heat them in an oven preheated to 350°F for a few minutes.

STEP 3: Assemble the Wraps: Spread some tzatziki sauce on each pita, add lettuce leaves, hot falafel patties, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, and sliced red onions.

STEP 4: Fold and Serve: Fold the pita together like a taco and enjoy. For a less messy option, place the pita on a piece of parchment paper or tin foil, leaving about ⅓ exposed, and wrap it tightly.

STEP 5: Serve with Sauce: Pair with more tzatziki sauce or any sauce that complements falafel, such as tahini sauce or hummus.

Substitutions and variations

• Pick your sauces: tzatziki is my fave because it's bright, herby and refreshing. If you prefer, use the more traditional tahini lemon sauce, Greek yogurt mixed with fresh garlic and/or hot sauce. You can also mix and match your sauces!

• Add pickled veggies: pickled red onions go especially well in falafel wraps but you can also add pickled cauliflower, turnip or hot peppers, such as jalapenos or banana peppers. 
• Go with a cabbage salad: for another version of a falafel pita, use a simple cabbage salad (coleslaw) made with fresh cabbage, mayo, lemon and fresh herbs instead of lettuce, cukes and tomatoes.
• Serve it with a dip: if you like dipping your wraps in something selicious, try it with a side of hummus or baba ganoush. 

What to serve falafel pitas with

The best side dish for falafel pita wraps is a big fresh salad, in my opinion. You can't go wrong with a fresh, crisp salad made of mixed greens and crisp veggies dressed with a tangy Greek vinaigrette. Or, try it with my Greek Chickpea Salad and Mediterranean Rice for a more substantial meal. 

To make a Middle Eastern-inspired dinner, pair your falafel pitas with a side of tabbouleh or Israeli salad, which bring a refreshing, herby element. You can also serve it with nice olives, fresh veggies, pita chips and dips - find some inspiration in this falafel mezze platter tutorial. 

More recipes using chickpeas