Description
These Lentil Patties are a flavorful, protein-packed vegetarian dish combining lentils, aromatic spices, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. They can be pan-fried, baked, or air-fried for a crispy texture and served with fresh lemon wedges and sauces like tzatziki or marinara for a versatile meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) lentils, drained
- 1 egg
- ½ cup parmesan, grated
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour)
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Serving
- 4 wedges lemon
Instructions
- Blend ingredients: Add the drained lentils, egg, parmesan, flour, parsley, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper into a food processor. Pulse a few times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and combined, taking care not to overblend to maintain texture.
- Shape patties: Form the mixture into 12 even-sized patties. Use your hands or a cookie cutter, pressing down gently with the back of a teaspoon. Arrange the patties on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Cook patties: Choose your cooking method:
– Pan-fried: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties for 5 minutes on each side or until golden and crisp.
– Oven-baked: Brush patties with olive oil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
– Air-fried: Lightly brush the air fryer basket with olive oil and arrange patties inside without overlapping. Brush the patties with olive oil and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes or until more brown than golden and crispy. - Serve with sauce: Plate the lentil patties with lemon wedges to squeeze on top. They pair excellently with tzatziki, marinara sauce, saffron rice, couscous, or pita bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- If chickpea flour is used, the patties are gluten-free.
- For vegan option, substitute the egg with a flax egg and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan.
- Do not overblend the lentils to keep some texture in the patties.
- Adjust seasoning as per taste before shaping patties.
- Use olive oil or a preferred cooking oil for frying or baking to enhance flavor and crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-20 minutes depending on cooking method
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: lentil patties, vegetarian patties, lentil fritters, healthy appetizers, Mediterranean lentil recipe
