Crispy Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Patties with Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce Recipe
These crispy sweet potato and red lentil patties are a flavorful and nutritious vegetarian dish, combining tender lentils, sweet grated sweet potato, and aromatic spices. Pan-fried to golden perfection and served with a creamy avocado cilantro sauce, they make a delightful appetizer or main course.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 patties
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
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 simmer for about 12 minutes or until soft and water is mostly absorbed. Drain any excess water and let cool slightly.
- Prepare Patties Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, grated sweet potato, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, ground coriander, salt, pepper, chopped cilantro, and flour. Mix until the mixture holds together. Let sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to bind.
- Form and Fry Patties: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Scoop the mixture and form into small patties. Cook for 4 minutes on each side or until golden and crisp. Repeat in batches, adding more oil if needed.
- Make Avocado Cilantro Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, plain yogurt, salt, and water. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding additional water to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Serve: Serve the patties warm, topped with or dipped in the creamy avocado cilantro sauce for a delicious accompaniment.
Notes
- Use chickpea flour instead of regular flour for a gluten-free version.
- Make sure to drain lentils well to prevent the patties from becoming too wet.
- Adjust spices to your taste preference; add a pinch of chili powder for heat.
- The sauce can be made vegan by substituting yogurt with a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt.
- Cook patties in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, ensuring they stay crispy.
