Can you fry lentils without boiling?

Lentils don't need to be cooked as long as other beans , so you shouldn't need to pressure cook them, or soak them, like you would other beans. You can then sauté them in oil, if that's what you want to do. Frying (deep-frying) is not what I would expect with lentils; they sauté well, however.

What happens if you don't soak lentils before cooking?

Why Should You Soak Lentils? Certain pulses have a natural drive of causing gas and bloating in the body. Soaking mimics the natural germination process and changes the seed that is dormant and indigestible into the dal laden with nutrients and complete digestibility.

What happens if you don't soak red lentils?

Do red lentils need to be soaked before cooking? No, there is no need to soak red lentils before cooking but it is a good idea to give them a quick rinse.

Do you need to rinse red lentils before cooking?

Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

Is it safe to eat overcooked lentils?

Both undercooked and overcooked lentils won't let you enjoy their pack of nutrients and fiber . In addition, undercooked lentils stay with lectin, an ingredient that may cause stomach problems like diarrhea or even food poisoning.

What happens if you don't cook lentils all the way?

In addition, undercooked lentils stay with lectin, an ingredient that may cause stomach problems like diarrhea or even food poisoning .

Are lentils already cooked?

Dry lentils require you to cook them yourself while canned lentils cuts meal prep time as they are already pre-cooked .

How to soften lentils quickly?

I like to add the dried lentils to a big pot of soup and let it simmer until they become tender, about 30 minutes . Red (or yellow) lentils cook much more quickly than any other variety. They become soft and tender after simmering for just 15 minutes!

Do lentils give you gas like beans do?

Another reason that lentils are known for causing gas and bloating is because they are high in what's called raffinose. Raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) are known to cause stomach discomfort and bloating because the human body lacks the enzyme required to break them down within the digestive tract.

Crispy Fried Lentil Patties Recipe (2024)

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Lentils are one of the most versatile protein options you can add to your menu. This easy lentil patties recipe is going to transform your menu. Not only are they ready in just 30-minutes, but they also are flavorful, packed with protein, and versatile to serve alone or as a sandwich.

Jump to:

Lentil Patties Recipe
What is the Best Lentil For This Recipe?
Do I Need to Soak Lentils Before Cooking Them?
Can I Use Canned Lentils?
Can I Use Different Herbs?
How do You Serve Lentil Patties?
Are These Lentil Patties Vegan?
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Homemade Lentil Patties
More Vegetarian Recipes
📖 Recipe

Lentil Patties Recipe

I have tried a number of different lentil burgers and patties, and these are some of the most flavorful. I like something mild so they can go with any toppings, but they shouldn't be bland.

If you like lentils and need more ideas of how to use them in your menu, make sure you check out this spicy red lentil curry recipe or this flavorful chicken Dhansak curry with lentils. Both are an excellent ways to use those extra dry lentils.

What is the Best Lentil For This Recipe?

I prefer using red lentils in recipes like this because they cook faster and soften easier. So, I can have them ready in no time rather than waiting hours for them to cook.

If you don't mind a longer cooking time, then green lentils are another popular option found in most markets. While black lentils are common in some areas, they are not easy to find in markets so not a great choice for this recipe.

Do I Need to Soak Lentils Before Cooking Them?

No. One of the benefits of using dry lentils is that they do not need to be soaked. They typically cook to a softened texture anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes. This depends upon your desired texture and the type of lentils.

For this recipe, red lentils are used which can take as little as 10 minutes up to 30-minutes to cook. They do not need to be mushy for this recipe, just cooked through and tender.

Can I Use Canned Lentils?

You can use canned lentils if you want for this recipe. They will be softer than cooking them on your own and thus may be a bit more moist and mushy in the patty.

If you use canned lentils, make sure to rinse and drain them well before adding to the rest of the recipe. If you fin the patties are too moist, you can add additional flour by the tablespoon until they are formable.

Can I Use Different Herbs?

Of course, you can mix up the flavor profile if you prefer. I like using Italian seasonings because they are delicious and readily available in my kitchen. That doesn't mean they are the only options to add to this recipe. Below are some other flavor profiles to try.

Taco, fajita, or burrito seasoning blends.
Greek seasoning blend.
Cajun seasoning blend.
Basic salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Curry powder, turmeric, and garam masala.

How do You Serve Lentil Patties?

While these are a bit more Italian in flavor, they aren't overbearing so they can go from your hamburger bun with mayonnaise to on top of pasta with my homemade pasta sauce. Below are some great ideas for how to use this recipe in unique ways.

Replace a meat burger and top with any traditional burger toppings including condiments, lettuce, tomato, avocado, or grilled onions and peppers.
Serve with Indian chutney's or sauces as an appetizer.
Top with jalapeno dip or blue cheese dip for a unique flavor and difference in textures.
Wrap in a pita with tzatziki, feta, lettuce, and tomato.
Use in any wrap in place of meats.

Are These Lentil Patties Vegan?

As listed below, these are naturally plant-based and 100% vegan. If you choose to add Parmesan cheese to the mixture or cook in butter, then they are no longer vegan friendly.

Ingredients

Vegetable oil
Lentils (red)
Yellow onion
Garlic cloves
Fresh thyme
All-purpose flour
Italian seasoning
Paprika
Salt
Breadcrumbs
Fresh parsley

How to Make Homemade Lentil Patties

In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed lentils with ½ teaspoon salt, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Once boiling, continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, until lentils are softened.

Drain excess liquid from the lentils and set them aside.

In a medium skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just turning translucent.

Add the minced garlic and fresh time to the skillet and stir to combine then remove from heat.

Place ⅔ of the cooked lentils into a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until mostly smooth.

In a large bowl, add the whole and pureed lentils, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, fresh parsley, flour, and breadcrumbs together until combined completely.

Lightly oil the palms of your hands, then divide the mixture into the number of patties you want, and shape them.

In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Place the patties into the oil in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and crisp on the outside and heated through.

Remove and drain on paper towels, then repeat until all patties are cooked.

More Vegetarian Recipes

If you like having an arsenal of vegetarian recipes on hand to serve friends and family, look no further! We have some great options to add to your menu. Flavors from around the world create tasty meals that nobody will realize are meat-free. Bookmark, pin, or print the recipes below for your menu!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 6

Crispy Fried Lentil Patties Recipe

A fried lentil patties recipe is the perfect protein-packed and delicious dish that is ideal for meat-eaters and the vegetarians at your dinner table!

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Total Time30 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups dry red lentils
1 teaspoon salt, divided
6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon paprika
¾ cup breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed lentils with ½ teaspoon salt, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Once boiling, continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes, until lentils are softened.
Drain excess liquid from the lentils and set them aside.
In a medium skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until just turning translucent.
Add the minced garlic and fresh time to the skillet and stir to combine then remove from heat.
Place ⅔ of the cooked lentils into a blender or use an immersion blender to puree until mostly smooth.
In a large bowl, add the whole and pureed lentils, Italian seasoning, paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, fresh parsley, flour, and breadcrumbs together until combined completely.
Lightly oil the palms of your hands, then divide the mixture into the number of patties you want, and shape them.
In a large skillet, heat 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Place the patties into the oil in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and crisp on the outside and heated through.
Remove and drain on paper towels, then repeat until all patties are cooked.