Sweet Potato Lentil Patties (Printable)

Hearty patties combining mashed sweet potatoes and seasoned lentils, pan-fried to golden perfection.

# What You'll 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 it's 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 Advice:

01 -
  • They are somehow crispy and creamy at the same time, a texture combination that makes people instinctively reach for seconds
  • The recipe is incredibly forgiving, so you can tweak spices or add extra veggies based on what you have
  • These patties reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, if they last that long
02 -
  • Well-drained lentils and thoroughly mashed sweet potatoes are the difference between patties that hold together and ones that crumble
  • Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes before shaping if you have time, as this helps the flour absorb moisture
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the patties will steam instead of getting crispy
03 -
  • Grate a carrot or zucchini into the mixture for extra vegetables that no one will notice
  • Make a double batch and freeze uncooked patties between parchment paper for easy weeknight dinners

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