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A stack of three homemade sweet potato lentil patties, showing their crispy exterior and tender interior. A dollop of yogurt sauce is on top, with fresh herbs scattered around on a rustic plate.

Sweet Potato Lentil Patties (That Won't Fall Apart!)

A foolproof recipe for delicious Sweet Potato Lentil Patties that are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. They're healthy, easy to make, and hold together perfectly!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 patties
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Vegetarian
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb sweet potato about 2 medium, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils rinsed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil plus more for frying
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs use gluten-free if needed
  • 1 flax egg 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Large Bowl
  • 1 Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Peel and dice sweet potato. Boil or steam until very tender (15-20 minutes). Cook lentils according to package directions until tender but not mushy (20-25 minutes). Drain both very thoroughly and set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  3. In a large bowl, mash the cooked sweet potato. Add the drained lentils, sautéed onion and garlic, panko, flax egg, parsley, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes. This step is essential for helping the patties hold their shape.
  5. Shape the mixture into 8 patties, about 3/4-inch thick. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Serve immediately.

Notes

Moisture is the enemy! Ensure you drain the sweet potatoes and lentils as thoroughly as possible for patties that don't fall apart.
Chill out! Don't skip the chilling time. It allows the binders to work their magic and ensures the patties are easy to handle.