Sweet Potato Lentil Patties (Printable)

Crispy, flavorful patties combining mashed sweet potatoes and protein-rich lentils. A hearty vegetarian dish ready in under an hour.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1.1 lbs), peeled and diced
02 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

→ Legumes & Grains

05 - 1 cup cooked brown or green lentils (about 4.6 oz), well-drained
06 - 1/2 cup oat flour or chickpea flour

→ Spices & Seasonings

07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 - Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

→ Binding & Cooking

13 - 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, mixed and rested 5 min)
14 - 2-3 tablespoons olive oil (for pan-frying)

# How to Make It:

01 - Steam or boil the sweet potatoes until fork-tender (about 10-12 minutes), then drain and mash in a large bowl.
02 - Add the cooked lentils, chopped onion, garlic, herbs, and all spices to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix well.
03 - Stir in the flour and egg (or flax egg) until the mixture holds together. If too wet, add a little more flour.
04 - Shape the mixture into 8 equal patties.
05 - Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties in batches for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp.
06 - Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve warm with a side salad, yogurt dip, or chutney.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The crispy exterior gives way to impossibly tender, seasoned insides that make you forget youre eating something so wholesome
  • They reheat beautifully for quick lunches and somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
  • If the mixture falls apart while shaping, let it rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. The starches will firm up and make shaping much easier.
  • Medium heat is crucial here. Too high and they will burn before cooking through, too low and they will end up soggy instead of crispy.
03 -
  • Pat the lentils completely dry with paper towels before adding them. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispy patties.
  • Let the shaped patties rest for 10 minutes before cooking. This drying period helps develop a better crust in the pan.

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