Crispy Sweet Potato & Red Lentil Patties with Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce Recipe
These crispy sweet potato and red lentil patties offer a delightful, nutritious vegetarian option that’s perfect for a light meal or snack. Packed with aromatic spices and fresh cilantro, they’re pan-fried to golden perfection and complemented by a creamy avocado cilantro sauce that adds a refreshing zing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 patties 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Vegetarian, Modern American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Patties:
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and grated
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons flour (or chickpea flour for gluten-free)
- Olive oil, for pan-frying
Avocado Cilantro Sauce:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- Salt, to taste
- 2–3 tablespoons water (to thin, as needed)
Instructions
- Cook Lentils: Add red lentils to a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10–12 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and most of the water is absorbed. Drain any excess water and let them cool slightly.
- Prepare Patty Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, grated sweet potato, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, pepper, chopped cilantro, and flour. Mix thoroughly until the mixture holds together. Allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes to help bind.
- Form and Cook Patties: Heat a skillet over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Scoop the mixture and shape it into small patties. Cook each patty for 3–4 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Repeat the process in batches as needed, adding more oil if necessary.
- Prepare Avocado Cilantro Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine the ripe avocado, fresh cilantro, garlic clove, lime juice, plain yogurt, salt, and water. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding more water as needed to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the warm patties with the creamy avocado cilantro sauce either drizzled on top or as a dip on the side for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use chickpea flour instead of regular flour.
- Make sure to drain excess water from the cooked lentils to avoid soggy patties.
- You can prepare the patties mixture in advance and refrigerate for up to a day before cooking.
- Adjust the spices to your preference for more heat or different flavor profiles.
- The avocado sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge with plastic wrap pressed on the surface to prevent browning.
Keywords: sweet potato patties, red lentil patties, vegetarian patties, avocado sauce, healthy snacks, gluten-free option, pan-fried patties
