Open-Faced Falafel Sandwich with Tzatziki

An open-faced flatbread sandwich with Tzatziki is perfect for showing off colourful heirloom tomatoes and tangy yoghurt. Bursting with Mediterranean flavours this deconstructed falafel sandwich couldn’t be easier to make. No need to spend hours prepping and frying falafel ball. Just pile your flatbread with smash seasoned chickpeas, dollop of garlicky cucumber yoghurt, herbs, tart heirloom tomatoes, and crunchy red onions. And BOOM!! an explosion of all the flavours and textures found in homemade falafel mix.

If you’ve been looking for a healthy, nutritious, flavour-packed mela, for those hot summer nights this sandwich has your name written all over it. There is so much to love in this falafel sandwich, but the best thing by far is the flavour. The next time you’re craving homemade falafel, but don’t want to dig out a deep fryer, give this a try and we promise it’ll be love at first bite!

This open-faced falafel sandwich might appear a bit daunting with its detailed instructions and the idea of crafting homemade flatbread. However, rest assured, these instructions are comprehensive, leaving no room for guesswork. Plus, for those aiming to streamline the process, the option of store-bought naan bread, pizza crust, or focaccia is always at your disposal.

Why do we love this recipe so much?

• Protein Powerhouse: Packed with protein from chickpeas, leaving you feeling full and satisfied.
• Quick and Economical: Using canned chickpeas eliminates the need for overnight soaking, making it a swift and budget-friendly option for a healthy lunch.
• Tangy Yogurt Sauce: A creamy Greek yogurt sauce, whipped up in minutes, adds a delightful tang that beautifully complements the texture of smashed chickpeas.
• Textural Symphony: The inclusion of raw, fresh vegetables introduces a satisfying crunch, taking the falafel sandwich’s texture to a whole new level of enjoyment.
• Exquisite Spice Blend: Elevating the dish is a nutty spice falafel mix, skillfully crafted to capture the rich flavours of the Middle East, making each bite a remarkable culinary adventure.

Falafel Spice Mix

A fusion of diverse herbs and spices, falafel spice mix embodies the essence of Middle Eastern culinary traditions. Its role is to infuse flavour into falafel, a beloved dish hailing from the same region, crafted from ground chickpeas or fava beans. Typically, this spice blend harmonises 6-7 distinct spices (with 5 being essential), yielding a convenient concoction that’s readily available for immediate use, saving you the hassle of reaching for every individual jar each time you cook.

This mix plays a crucial role in giving falafel its distinct and delicious flavour profile. While you can find pre-made falafel spice mixes in stores, we prefer to create our own blend and customise it to our taste.

Ingredients used to Make Open-Faced Falafel Sandwich with Tzatziki

For The Chickpeas Mix

• Canned Chickpeas: are just so much easier and you always have them in your pantry. You could absolutely soak dried chickpeas overnight and use this in this sandwich
• Red wine vinegar: lends acidity to the chickpeas. The sharpness of vinegar helps balance the earthy quality of the chickpeas.
• Salt and Freshly ground black pepper: Basic seasoning that helps balance the flavours.
• Red Onion: In order for the onion to not overwhelm, we have choosen a sweeter onion, such as a red onion.
• Parsley: provides a verdant, clean note to the chickpeas. 
• Galic: sharp pungent flavour
• Lemon Juice : adds acidity
• olive oil: helps in binding all the flavours together

Ingredients For The Garlicky Tzatziki

• Persian cucumber
• Greek yogurt
• Fish herbs – mint, dill and parsley
• Garlic
• Garlic Powder
• Lemon juice
• Salt

For the Spice Mix

• Mixed Nuts: Gives a crunch and nutty taste. Toasting the nuts enhanced the flavour.
• Cumin Seeds: Provides a warm and earthy flavour that’s characteristic of many Middle Eastern dishes.
• Coriander Seeds: Adds a citrusy, slightly sweet flavour that complements the cumin.
• Garlic Powder: Enhances the overall savoury profile of the falafel.
• Aleppo Pepper or Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a touch of heat, depending on desired spiciness.
• Sumac: is tangy and deep middle eastern spice with a hint of earthy sweetness and floral citrus notes
• Sesame Seeds: adds nutty and sweet taste
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to balance the flavours

How to Make Open-Faced Falafel Sandwich With Tzatziki

• Mash the chickpeas. Place chickpeas in a bowl, then use the back of a fork or a potato masher to mash together with red wine vinegar and black pepper. No need to dirty up the food processor for this one!
• Mix in the herbs. Add red onions, parsley, salt, sumac and lemon juice. Taste, adjust seasoning, then set aside. 
• Make the Greek yogurt sauce. Stir together the Greek yogurt, fresh mint, dill, parsley and lemon juice.
• Make the Spice Mix: Begin by placing the chopped nuts, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds into a mortar and pestle. Grind them until a coarse powder forms. Next, incorporate the remaining ingredients, ensuring a thorough and well-blended mixture.
• Assemble the sandwich. Spread a little Greek yogurt sauce on the flatbread, then spoon on a thick layer of mashed chickpeas. Pile the sandwich high with sliced veggies and tomatoes, then season with salt and pepper. 

Helpful Tips and Tricks For Making The Best Open-Faced Falafel Sandwich

• We prefer using Greek yogurt for this recipe because it’s super tangy and thick, which makes it easier to use as a spread. Double check that your yogurt is unflavored and unsweetened, as that would drastically alter the flavour of your sandwich (and not in a good way!).
• Use your favorite veggies to bulk up the sandwich. We like the contrast of juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and radish, but the raw falafel mash pairs well with pretty much any veggie.
• Can I Make A Falafel Sandwich In Advance? Yes, but you’ll want to wait until you’re ready to eat your sandwich to assemble it. If you assemble the entire sandwich too early, the bread becomes soggy and the whole sandwich falls apart when you go to eat it. If you want to make this homemade flatbread sandwich in advance, prep the ingredients separately then store in different containers until you’re ready to assemble

Love Middle Eastern flavours? 

Check out our Falafel Burgers or Easy Turkish Baked Eggs with Spinach — both major crowd pleasers! We also love serving this recipe with Authentic Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad, and Tzatziki – Easy Greek Yoghurt Dip which instantly adds flavour to any dish!

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Open-Faced Falafel Sandwich with Tzatziki

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cooking Time: 10 Minutes 10 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

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Ingredients

For The Spice Mix and Tomatoes 

• 2 tbsp mixed nuts
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• ½ tbsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp sumac
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp aleppo chilli flakes
• ½ tsp black pepper powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 4 large heirloom tomatoes, any colour
• Chopped parsley

For The Chickpeas Mix 

• 1 400g can chickpeas, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup parsley leaves with tender stems
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

For The Yogurt Sauce

• • 1 Persian cucumber, chopped
  •  ¾ cup greek style yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup chopped dill 
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Asembly

• 4 heirloom tomatoes, any colour,  thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp spice mix 
• chopped parsley
• 4 flatbread, homemade or store bought
• Topping : sliced red onions, olives, dill leaves, parsley, jerkins

method

Spice Mix 

• Begin by placing the chopped nuts, coriander seeds, and cumin seeds into a mortar and pestle. Grind them until a coarse mixer forms.
• Add the sesame seeds, sumac, chilli flakes, black pepper, garlic powder and salt and mix well, ensuring a thorough and well-blended mixture.

Chickpeas Mix 

• Drain the chickpeas in a sieve and give it a good rinse. Put in a large mixing bowl. 
• Add vinegar, black pepper and salt to the chickpeas and mash with a potato masher or with a fork until about half of the chickpeas are smashed.  Add red onions, parsley, sumac, lemon juice and oil and toss to combine. Taste and  season with more salt and pepper as needed. Set aside.

Yogurt Sauce

• Combine cucumber, yogurt, mixed herbs, garlic, garlic powder, and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl; season with (hot sauce, optional),&  salt. Let sit at room temperature at least 15 minutes.

  Do Ahead: Yogurt sauce can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and chill.

Assembly

• Arrange tomato slices in a single layer on large plate or a baking dish and sprinkle spice mixture evenly over top. Let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes all the flavours to incorporate. 

• Top each flatbread with yogurt sauce, chickpea mixture, and tomatoes. Drizzle with more oil and season well with salt and pepper. Add more toppings as per your choice. 

Notes

Do Ahead

1. Yogurt sauce can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and chill.
2. Spice mix can be stored in an air-tight container for 3-4 weeks.
3. You could absolutely soak dried chickpeas overnight and use this in this sandwich, but canned chickpeas are just so much easier.
4. While we use homemade flat bread  a high quality whole wheat bread, you could easily build this sandwich with a high quality whole wheat bread. If you can get your hands on some freshly baked sourdough bread that's even better!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you did, take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @poetryofspices!