These golden, crunchy Lentil Patties Filled with garlic, fresh parsley and warm Mediterranean spices that fill your kitchen with the most relaxing aromas. I first made them on a Tuesday night when I needed something quick, healthy, and satisfying, and they’ve been a favorite in my weeknight dinners ever since. These are easy to throw together, use pantry staples, and taste like something you’d order at a cozy Mediterranean café.
If you’re looking for more easy weeknight ideas, try my Easy Creamy Chicken and Gnocchi Recipe or the Best Mediterranean Chicken and Peppers Recipe. And if you love bold flavors, don’t miss the Best Chicken and Chorizo Paella Recipe.
Why you’ll love these lentil patties?
Quick and easy. These lentil patties are ready in less than 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights when you need a quick dinner.
Three methods of cooking. Pan-fry, bake or air fry them, depending on your mood and equipment. They turn out delicious in every way.
Rich in protein and fiber. Lentils are a nutrition powerhouse, and each patty provides 6 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber.
Food preparation friendly. Make a big batch and freeze them for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
Versatile and customizable. Serve them with tzatziki, marinara, over rice, in pita bread, or with a fresh salad.
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Ingredients for Lentil Patties
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these delicious lentil patties.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient quantities
Lentils: Base of patties. Canned pulses save time, but you can also cook dry pulses if you wish.
Egg: Binds everything together and helps the patties keep their shape during cooking.
Parmesan: Adds a savory, salty depth and helps bond. Use freshly grated for best taste.
all purpose flour: Gives structure and absorbs excess moisture. Chickpea flour also works if you want a gluten-free option.
parsley: Brings fresh, bright flavor and a pop of green color.
Onion: Adds moisture and subtle sweetness that balances the earthy dal.
Garlic: Three cloves give these patties a bold, aromatic flavor. Grating it brings out more flavor than cutting it.
ground cumin: Warm, earthy and essential for that Mediterranean flavor profile.
Ground Coriander: Adds sour, slightly sweet notes that complement the cumin beautifully.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and brings everything together.
black pepper: A touch of warmth and depth.
lemon wedges: Serve on the side for a bright, tangy squeeze that makes every bite pop.
How to make lentil patties
Follow these simple steps to make perfect dal patties every time.
Prepare the mixture: In a food processor, combine lentils, egg, Parmesan, flour, parsley, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Pulse a few times until roughly chopped and mixed, but avoid overmixing. You want some texture, not a smooth paste.
Shape the patties: Form the mixture into 12 equal patties and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking tray. For uniform shapes, use a cookie cutter or press with the back of a spoon to flatten them slightly.
Cook the patties (choose your favorite method):
- pan fried: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Fry the patties until golden brown and crisp on the edges, 5 minutes per side.
- oven baked: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the patties lightly with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown and firm.
- Air fried: Lightly oil your air fryer basket, place the patties inside, drizzle with oil, and fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, until brown and crispy.
to serve: Serve the patties hot with a lemon slice. They are delicious with tzatziki, marinara sauce, saffron rice or couscous, or with pita bread.
Substitutions and Variations
Make it vegetarian: Skip the egg and Parmesan. Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed, mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and nutritional yeast instead.
gluten free: Substitute flour for chickpea flour or oat flour.
different pulses: Red, green, or brown lentils all work. Just make sure they are cooked until soft.
Add Heat: For spicy taste add a pinch of red chilli or red chilli pieces.
Fresh Herbs: Try cilantro, dill or mint instead of parsley for a different flavor profile.
Cheese Swaps: Feta or Pecorino Romano works beautifully in place of the Parmesan.
Equipment for Lentil Patties
food processor: Makes quick work of combining everything into one textured mixture. A blender can work in a pinch, but don’t over blend.
Baking Tray with Parchment Paper: To shape the patties and keep them from sticking.
Nonstick pan: If you’re frying on a pan, a good nonstick pan prevents sticking and gives you uniform browning.
Air Fryer (optional): Hand-fried with minimal oil, for crispy results.
Oven (optional): If you’re batch-cooking or like baking.
Microplane Grater: Highly recommended for grating garlic. This releases more flavor and creates a better texture than cutting.
storage and reheating
refrigerator: Store cooked patties in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, or in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
freezer: Freeze cooked patties on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They will last for 3 months. Reheat from frozen in a 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes.
Tips to prepare in advance: Shape the patties and freeze them without cooking. When you’re ready to eat, cook them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
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With Tzatziki: The cool, creamy yogurt chutney is a classic pairing that balances the hot spices perfectly.
Over rice or couscous: Serve them with roasted vegetables over puffed rice or couscous.
In pita bread: Stuff them into warm pita with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and tahini sauce for a quick lunch.
With Marinara: Dip them in hot marinara sauce for an Italian-inspired twist.
Expert Tips
Do not over mix: Beat the mixture until combined. Over-blending results in a mushy texture rather than a hearty, textured patty.
Use room temperature eggs: It mixes more easily and helps the mixture bind evenly.
Press them flat: Slightly flattened patties cook more evenly and develop a better crisp edge.
Apply oil well in the pan: Whether you’re pan-frying or baking, a good layer of oil prevents sticking and creates a golden crust.
Let them rest: After cooking, let the patties rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. They will become a little stronger and hold together better.
Taste the mixture: Before shaping, taste a little of the raw mixture (it’s safe because it contains egg). Adjust salt or spices if necessary.
FAQ
How to make dal patties?
mix cooked Lentil PattiesEgg, flour, and seasonings In a food processor, pulse until smooth, shape into patties, and cook them by pan-frying, baking, or air frying. They’ll be ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
What is a good binder for lentil burgers?
Egg and flour work beautifully together. The egg provides moisture and binding strength, while the flour absorbs excess liquid and gives structure. For a vegetarian option, use flax eggs and chickpea flour.
What are six-ingredient lentil patties?
You can make a simplified version with just lentils, egg, flour, onion, garlic and salt. It won’t have as much depth of flavor, but it’s delicious and quick to prepare even when you’re short on time.
What do you eat dal patties with?
Serve them with tzatziki, Marinara SauceHummus, or tahini. They also go great with rice, couscous, pita bread or a fresh Mediterranean salad. William loves the extra tzatziki and lemon juice.
Are you looking for more recipes like this? Try these:
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These are my favorite dishes to serve Lentil Patties
Lentil Patties
Crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, this Mediterranean Lentil Patties Perfect for quick and delicious weeknight dinners.
Material
Method
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Add drained lentils, egg, Parmesan, flour, parsley, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper to a food processor.
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Beat the mixture a few times until it thickens, making sure not to completely puree it.
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Using your hands or a cookie cutter, shape the mixture into 12 equal patties, pressing gently with the back of a spoon.
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Pan-frying method: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the patties and cook until golden brown, 5 minutes per side.
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Oven-bake method: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden.
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Air-Fryer Method: Brush the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the patties in a single layer, brush the top with oil, and fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, until browned.
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Serve the patties with lemon wedges and optional sides such as tzatziki, marinara, couscous or pita bread.
nutrition
notes
These lentil patties are so versatile and delicious! Serve them with a squeeze of lemon, a drizzle of tzatziki, or over your favorite grain for a comforting Mediterranean meal.
