Description
These flavorful Lentil Patties are a nutritious and versatile dish made from canned lentils mixed with aromatic spices, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. They can be pan-fried, oven-baked, or air-fried to achieve a crispy golden exterior, making them perfect as a snack, appetizer, or light meal. Serve them with lemon wedges and your choice of tzatziki, marinara sauce, or alongside rice, couscous, or pita bread for a delicious and satisfying experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) lentils, drained
- 1 egg
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, 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
- 4 wedges lemon
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying or brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients: Drain the lentils thoroughly and chop the onion and parsley. Grate the garlic cloves and parmesan cheese.
- Blend ingredients: In a food processor, combine the drained lentils, egg, grated parmesan, flour, chopped parsley, chopped onion, grated garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black pepper. Pulse a few times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and combined. Avoid over-processing to maintain some texture.
- Shape patties: Transfer the mixture to a bowl and shape into 12 evenly sized patties by hand or using a cookie cutter. Press down the mixture with the back of a teaspoon for compact shape. Arrange patties on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Cook patties: You have multiple cooking options:
- Pan-Frying: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
- Oven-Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush patties lightly with olive oil and bake on the parchment-lined tray for 20 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
- Air-Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Brush the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the patties in the basket, brush the tops with olive oil, and air fry for approximately 10 minutes or until nicely browned and crisp.
- Serve: Serve the lentil patties hot with lemon wedges to squeeze on top. They pair wonderfully with tzatziki, marinara sauce, saffron rice, couscous, or pita bread to complete your meal.
Notes
- Using chickpea flour as a gluten-free alternative to all-purpose flour makes this recipe gluten-friendly.
- Do not overblend the mixture; a coarse texture helps the patties hold together better and provides a pleasant bite.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste; additional spices like smoked paprika or chili flakes can add extra flavor.
- For a vegan version, substitute the egg with a flaxseed or chia seed egg (1 tbsp ground seeds mixed with 3 tbsp water, set to gel).
- The patties can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat by pan-frying or air-frying for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (pan-frying), 20 minutes (oven-baking), or 10 minutes (air-frying)
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: lentil patties, lentil fritters, vegetarian patties, healthy snacks, Mediterranean vegetarian recipes
