These Red Lentil Patties are the perfect meatless option for making vegetarian and vegan burgers or healthy veggie-filled fritters. Made with protein-rich lentils and spices, they are deliciously crisp on the outside and creamy inside. This recipe is egg-free, dairy-free, and can be made gluten-free as well!
Easy Lentil Patties Recipe
Lentils are an easy way to add healthy fiber and plant-based protein (18 grams per cup) to your diet. I usually cook them ahead and store in the fridge for quick and easy meals throughout the week. They’re super versatile as you can add them to salads, pasta, bowls, stir-fry’s and basically to any dish you’d usually add meat, fish or eggs.
This time I used leftover red lentils to make these simple vegan patties because I always need a satisfying and protein-rich side dish for my salads or Buddha bowls paired with a creamy dip. Made with plant-based ingredients and spices, these veggie patties are ideal for frying, baking, or even grilling without falling apart. If you want to enjoy a nice, juicy burger sandwich but in a healthier way, this recipe is just perfect!
By the way, if you have not tried my Vegan Beet Burger, Quinoa Patties, and Pumpkin Burgers with Quinoa and Chickpeas, I encourage you to do so!
Ingredients Used
- Red lentils: this type of lentils has a mildly sweet and nutty taste. They cook fairly quickly and soften easily, so they are ideal for forming into patties once mixed with flour. I also love how creamy the texture is. You can also use yellow lentils.
- Aromatics: I used onions and garlic for a savory base.
- Chili pepper: seeded and finely chopped. Adds a nice kick to the patties.
- Whole wheat flour: gives the patties a firm shape. You can also use oat flour or chickpea flour to make them gluten-free.
- Nutritional yeast flakes: adds a cheesy and savory flavor!
- Spices: I used a combination of cumin and sweet paprika powder for a warm, earthy, peppery and mildly sweet flavor. Also, some salt and pepper to taste.
- Olive oil: for frying.
- Garnishes: you can top these yummy patties with fresh parsley and serve with guacamole on the side for dipping.
How to make Lentil Patties
As always, I recommend checking out the recipe video and these step-by-step instructions first. Then you’ll the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below!
Step 1: Make the lentil mixture
Start by cooking the lentils in salted water, then drain. Meanwhile, sauté the onions and garlic. Next, combine all ingredients for the patties in a bowl. Then chill the mixture for 1-2 hours (or overnight) in the refrigerator.
Tip: If the mixture is still too soft after chilling, you can add more flour. However, the mixture should also not be too firm or the patties won’t be as creamy inside.
Step 2: Cook patties
After chilling form about 12 flat patties from the mixture using slightly moistened hands. Heat some oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and fry the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Tip: Please do not flip them too soon, or the patties may fall apart.
Step 3: Garnish and serve!
Garnish your vegan red lentil patties with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve with guacamole or another dip of your choice. Enjoy!
Can bake these in the oven or air fryer?
Yes! If you want to bake these, spray the patties with some oil first. Then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 392 °F (200 °C) for about 25 minutes, flipping halfway though until golden-brown and crispy. When cooking them in the air fryer, they will take about 15-20 minutes at 392 °F (200 °C).
Possible Variations
- You can use other herbs and spices like basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, or curry powder.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, zucchini, potatoes, spinach, and mushrooms. Just make sure they are chopped finely. Big chunks will make it difficult to shape the patties.
- Add some crushed nuts and seeds like walnuts, sunflower seeds, or toasted pine nuts for more flavor.
- You can also shape them into smaller round cakes or vegan meatballs if you want to make vegan tacos, Indian curry with rice or pasta with tomato sauce.
- For crispier outsides you can dip the patties in some breadcrumbs or panko before cooking.
Tips when Making Lentil Patties
- Make sure to follow the cooking instructions to prevent over-cooking the lentils. They will turn too mushy and will not shape well afterward. If using other lentils, make sure to adjust the cooking time according to package instructions.
- If the lentil mixture is still too soft to shape after refrigerating, add a bit more flour until you can shape it easily. However, please do not add too much or the patties will become too tough.
- Slightly moisten your hands when shaping the patties so they do not stick.
- Use a non-stick pan and let the patties fry undisturbed for a few minutes until the bottoms are browned and crispy before flipping them over. This will prevent them from falling apart as they cook.
- The cooking time depends on the size of the patties you make. Do not make them too big because they might not cook evenly.
What to serve them with
Stack them into burger buns or bread together with tomatoes, onions, vegan mozzarella and your favorite sauce for yummy veggie burgers or sandwiches. You can also use them in tortillas or Naan bread to make wraps or pita pockets. Or serve them as fritters with a herb dip, guacamole, tzatziki, hummus or sweet and sour sauce for dipping alongside a fresh salad or in a Buddha bowl.
How to store lentil patties?
Leftover patties will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can also be frozen. I recommend placing a piece of parchment paper between each patty, then stack them up and freeze in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Then you can remove the patties easily and reheat in the oven or pan whenever you’re craving some.
This Red Lentil Patties Recipe is:
- Vegan, Vegetarian
- Dairy-free
- Eggless
- Gluten-free possible
- Crispy on the outside
- Creamy inside
- Deliciously spiced
- Loaded with protein, vitamins and fiber!
- Ideal for meal prep
- Perfect as a side dish for lunch or dinner or for snacking with your favorite dip!
More recipes for vegan snacks like burger patties and nuggets
- Quinoa Patties
- Spinach Potato Cakes
- Zucchini Corn Fritters
- Falafel
- Sweet Potato Falafel
- Vegan Cevapcici
- Tofu Nuggets
- Broccoli Cheese Tots
- Bean Burger
- Pumpkin Quinoa Burger
- Veggie Beet Burger
If you try these vegan lentil patties, feel free to leave me a comment and a star rating below the recipe card! And if you take a photo of your veggie fritters and share it on Instagram, please tag me @biancazapatka and use the hashtag #biancazapatka so I don’t miss your post! Enjoy cooking! 🙂
Lentil Patties (easy, healthy, protein-rich, vegan)
Author:Ingredients
- 7 oz (200 g) red lentils
- 1 red onion finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves chopped
- 1 chili pepper seeded and finely chopped
- ½ cup (60 g) whole wheat flour or oat flour or chickpea flour, if gluten-free
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp paprika powder sweet
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp olive oil + more for frying the patties
To serve (optional)
- guacamole
- fresh parsley
Instructions
*Note: Check out the tips, recipe video, and step-by-step pictures in the post above for best results!
- Cook the lentils in salted water for 10 minutes according to package directions. (If there is still liquid in the pot afterwards, drain the lentils in a fine-meshed sieve.)
- Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a frying pan and sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Then add the garlic and sauté for another minute.
- Combine the cooked lentils with the fried onions, garlic, chopped chili pepper, nutritional yeast flakes, cumin, paprika powder, whole wheat flour, and some salt and pepper in a bowl. Then chill the mixture for 1-2 hours (or overnight) in the refrigerator. (If the mixture is still too soft after chilling, you can add more flour. However, the mixture should also not be too firm, or the patties won’t be as creamy inside.)
- Form about 12 flat patties from the mixture using slightly moistened hands. Heat some oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and fry the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. (Please do not flip them too soon, or the patties may fall apart).
- Enjoy!
Notes
- If using other lentils make sure to adjust the cooking time according to package instructions.gua
- You can also use other spices or add additional ones.
- Leftover patties will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can also be frozen.
- More helpful tips and information on the recipe such as oven or air fryer cooking instructions are mentioned in the blog post above!
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Hi! Have you made this with almond flour by chance? My fiance isn’t eating flour at the moment (even gluten-free flour) and I only have almond flour as an alternative in the house. If you don’t suggest I can wait to make too 🙂
No I haven’t tested it yet with almond flour.
Just tried this, your recipes never disappoint! It’s amazing
Glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for your feedback! 🙂
Made this roughly following the recipe. Easy and very tasty.
This is easy to change into spicier, milder, more herby etc. and still be delicious.
Vielen dank, sehr gut!
So happy to hear that! Thank you so much <3 Vielen Dank! 🙂
can you replace the chili with something?
You can use other peppers or leave it out! 🙂
Dear Bianca,
First of all, thank you for making lentil patties. I love lentils and these seem perfect for burgers, tacos….
If I wanted to bake the patties, how long would I have to bake them and at what temperature and setting?
Charlie
Hi Charlie,
I’ve mentioned that in the text above! 🙂
I hope you’ll love them.
Greetings,
Bianca
Hi Charlie – we baked them at 400F for 24 min or so.