Falafel Charcuterie Board
Jul 07, 2024 Updated Aug 05, 2024
This post contains collections of products that I personally recommend (it may contain affiliate links).
Falafel are fried balls (or patties!) of veggie goodness. This board features falafel, of course, as well as pita, feta, hummus, and more delicious Mediterranean staples. Serve it as a snack, an app, or, heck, even dinner! It’s wholesome, hearty, and always hits the spot.
What Is Falafel
Falafel are deep-fried balls (or patties!) usually with chickpeas and a host of aromatic herbs and spices. They are naturally vegan, high in fiber, a great source of protein, and absolutely delicious. Traditionally, falafel is also gluten-free–that said, a lot of recipes and pre-made mixes use flour as a binder, so be sure to double-check! The good news is that if you make falafel at home, making them gf is a breeze.
There is some debate about where exactly falafel originated–most agree it was Egypt, though they traditionally use fava beans as the base. Nowadays you’ll find falafel prominently featured in many cuisines and favorite dishes throughout the Middle East.
Falafel Board Recipe
Protein & Dairy
- Falafel, store-bought or homemade, cooked
- Feta, cubed
Carbs
- Pita, cut into triangles
- Tabbouleh
Dips
- Hummus
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Tzatziki, topped with chopped cucumbers
Produce
- Cucumber, sliced
- Radishes, halved
- Yellow cherry tomatoes (preferably on the vine)
- Peppadews
- Sweety drop peppers
- Lemon wedges
Accoutrements
- Mixed olives
- Pickled red onions
Where To Buy Falafel
If you want to whip this board up quickly (or with less of a mess), you can always buy falafel premade from your local store. Some hot bars might have them fresh, but you can always count on your freezer section to have them frozen. Some of my favorite brands:
- Trader Joe’s Dill Pickle Mini Falafel (for a little twist!)
How To Make Falafel
Falafel is actually quite simple to make! You can even find store-bought falafel mixes for a just-add-water approach that makes it even easier. If you’re going the homemade route, try one of these options:
How to Make a Falafel Charcuterie Board
- Chop a few of the cucumber slices.
- Place the tzatziki, tabbouleh, sweety drops, and hot chile peppers in separate ramekins or small bowls. Arrange them in the center of the platter. Top the tzatziki with the chopped cucumber.
- Add the pita around opposite edges of the platter. Arrange the sliced cucumber and tomatoes around one of the ramekins. Add the falafel toward the center of the board.
- Around the remaining edges of the board, add the hummus, olives, feta, peppadews, radishes, and lemon wedges in separate sections. Create a well in the center of the hummus and drizzle with olive oil. Fill in any holes with pickled onion.
What to Serve with Falafel
To Eat
- Salad (like Greek!)
- Couscous
- Babaganoush
- Labneh
- Kabobs (meat and/or veggie)
- French fries
- Pita or lavash (less traditional: naan, lettuce wraps, gluten-free wraps)
To Drink
- Mint tea (hot or iced)
- Fruity white wine (like Grenache Blanc or Viognier)
- Saison beer
- Sparkling or still water with citrus
- Pomegranate Juice
- Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale
(Check out more Middle Eastern food wine pairings! and my other blog posts featuring wine pairings)
Make a Falafel Sandwich, Wrap, or Bowl
In Egypt, falafel is typically served in sandwich form with tahini, Middle Eastern salad, and roasted or fried eggplant slices. Really, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a falafel sandwich. A lot of people will use it as a vegetarian replacement for a gyro or shawarma pita.
If you want guests to have a sandwich option with this board, serve some whole pitas on the side. You can also add some classic toppings, like:
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh mint
- Fresh dill
- Grilled eggplant
- Roasted red peppers
- Shredded carrots
- Cabbage slaw
- Pickled veggies of your choice
- Spicy pickle slices
- Any of the sauces below!
Falafel Sauces
- Tahini: a creamy paste made from sesame seeds
- Hummus: a chickpea-based dip/spread made with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
- Tzatziki: a creamy, yogurt-based dip mixed with cucumber, garlic, and fresh herbs like dill.
- Zhug: an herby hot sauce made with parsley and cilantro (similar to Latin America’s chimichurri)
- Amba: a pickled mango puree
- Garlic sauce (or white sauce): a drizzlable cream-based sauce made with garlic
- Harissa: A spicy North African chile sauce with a smoky flavor
Show Me Your Falafel Boards
I hope this post inspires you to make this falafel recipe. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful snacks and spreads you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!
And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.
Falafel Party Platter
Ingredients
Protein & Dairy
- Falafel store-bought or homemade, cooked
- Feta cubed
Carbs
- Pita cut into triangles
- Tabbouleh
Dips
- Hummus
- Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Tzatziki topped with chopped cucumbers
Produce
- Cucumber sliced
- Radishes halved
- Yellow cherry tomatoes (preferably on the vine)
- Peppadews
- Sweety drop peppers
- Lemon wedges
Accoutrements
- Mixed olives
- Hot chili peppers
- Pickled red onions
Instructions
- Chop a few of the cucumber slices.
- Place the tzatziki, tabbouleh, sweety drops, and hot chile peppers in separate ramekins or small bowls. Arrange them in the center of the platter. Top the tzatziki with the chopped cucumber.
- Add the pita around opposite edges of the platter. Arrange the sliced cucumber and tomatoes around one of the ramekins. Add the falafel toward the center of the board.
- Around the remaining edges of the board, add the hummus, olives, feta, peppadews, radishes, and lemon wedges in separate sections. Create a well in the center of the hummus and drizzle with olive oil. Fill in any holes with pickled onion.