These vegan lentil patties are a hearty, nutritious, and protein-packed side dish or main course. They're made with simple pantry ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and they're easy to make! Perfect for Meatless Mondays (or any night of the week), they can be served as veggie burgers or on their own alongside your favorite veggies.
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Lentils are an amazing superfood that should be included in everyone's diet on a regular basis. Not only are they extremely nutritious - packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals - but they're budget-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and incredibly versatile too.
Lentils can be transformed into a wide variety of flavorful dishes, from hearty stews to veggie burgers and more. Don't believe me? Take a look at some of my popular lentil recipes like this comforting Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Curry or this bright and fresh Lentil Tabbouleh Salad.
Today, I'll be sharing another great way to eat more lentils - in the form of tasty homemade Vegan Lentil Patties.
👨🍳How To Make Vegan Lentil Patties
- Step 1 - Cook The Lentils: In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils and vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. You can also cook you lentils in a rice cooker if you have one. Drain any excess liquid and let cool slightly.
- Step 2 - Process Lentils & Herbs: Transfer the cooked lentils to a food processor along with the chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, dill, mint, and ground cumin. Process until the mixture is well combined and has a coarse texture.
- Step 3 - Stir In Breadcrumbs: Remove the mixture from the food processor and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Stir in the breadcrumbs until evenly distributed. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4 - Form Into Patties: Form the lentil mixture into patties, using a cookie scoop or your hands.
- Step 5 - Cook: Heat 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the lentil patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 6 - Remove Excess Oil: Once cooked, transfer the patties to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
- Step 7 - Serve: Serve the lentil patties warm with vegan tzatziki or your favorite dipping sauce.
Top Tip
I recommend using a non-stick fry pan to these. Don't put too many lentil patties in the pan at once. Instead, fry 3-4 at a time (depending on the size of your pan), and then start over with a fresh batch of oil.
🙋Can I Cook These In The Air Fryer Or Oven?
Yes, you can definitely cook lentil patties in an air fryer or oven!
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly coat the patties with cooking spray or brush them with a small amount of oil to promote browning.
- Arrange the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each one for air circulation.
- Cook the patties for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of the patties with a small amount of oil to help them crisp up.
- Bake the patties for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
🍽️What To Serve With Lentil Patties
- Serve your vegan lentil patties on whole grain buns with your favorite vegan burger toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, vegan cheese, etc.
- Break up the cooked lentil patties and mix with taco seasoning. Stuff into warmed corn tortillas and top with mango salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, diced onions, nacho cheese sauce, etc.
- Make a salad with a base of leafy greens and vegetables. Cut up some lentil patties and place on top, along with nuts/seeds and balsamic vinaigrette.
- Serve your lentil patties over a bowl of brown rice or quinoa with roasted vegetables, greens, hemp seeds, tahini dressing, etc.
❄️Storage Instructions
Refrigerator
To store your vegan lentil patties in the fridge, allow them to cool completely after cooking. Then, place them in an airtight container, separating the layers with parchment paper or plastic wrap to prevent sticking. Store the patties in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer
For freezer storage, individually wrap the cooled lentil patties in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer the patties to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Properly stored lentil patties can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
🙋Frequently Asked Questions
To thicken lentil burgers, you can incorporate ingredients like breadcrumbs, rolled oats, cooked quinoa, or mashed potatoes into the mixture. These ingredients not only help bind the patties together but also absorb excess moisture which will give your lentil patties a firmer texture. If you're really having a hard time getting the mixture to hold together, let the mixture rest in the fridge for some time before shaping and cooking the patties.
To make these lentil patties gluten-free, you can replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives. Here's how you can adjust the recipe:
Replace the breadcrumbs with one of the following options:
1) Gluten-free breadcrumbs: You can find these in many grocery stores, or make your own by toasting and grinding gluten-free bread.
2) Rolled oats: Use gluten-free rolled oats and pulse them in a food processor until they form a coarse flour-like texture.
3) Cooked quinoa: Cooked and cooled quinoa can be used as a binder and filler in place of breadcrumbs.
If your lentil patties are too wet, you can adjust the texture by incorporating additional binding agents such as breadcrumbs, oat flour, or cooked quinoa into the mixture. Gradually add small amounts of the chosen binder until the desired consistency is reached, ensuring the mixture holds together well. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to an hour to allow it to firm up before shaping the patties. Additionally, consider lightly dusting the patties with flour or breadcrumbs before frying to absorb excess moisture and facilitate a crispier exterior.
Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?
Lentil Chips- High Protein and Gluten Free
📖 Recipe
Vegan Lentil Patties
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green or brown lentils rinsed and drained
- 2 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup breadcrumbs use gluten-free if needed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for frying
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils and vegetable broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Drain any excess liquid and let cool slightly.
- Transfer the cooked lentils to a food processor along with the chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, dill, mint, and ground cumin. Process until the mixture is well combined and has a coarse texture.
- Remove the mixture from the food processor and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Stir in the breadcrumbs until evenly distributed.
- Form the lentil mixture into patties, using a cookie scoop or your hands.
- Heat 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the lentil patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, transfer the patties to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve the lentil patties warm with vegan tzatziki or your favorite dipping sauce.
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