Red Lentil Fritters Recipe

These vegan potato fritters with red lentils are a vibrant twist on classic comfort food. A delightful blend of grated potato, red lentils, onion, and garlic is spiced with cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper to create irresistibly crispy bites. Enjoy them with spicy sriracha mayonnaise for an extra kick.

I’ve been experimenting in my kitchen lately and discovered these red lentil fritters which turned out to be a great easy vegan dinner recipe. The base is made up of simple ingredients like 1 cup of red lentils and 1 cup of water to soak them up, ensuring they get soft and blend seamlessly with a grated large potato.

I also add a small onion finely chopped and 2 garlic cloves minced which add a lot of flavor and some great nutrients. The dry mix includes 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/3 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper if you want a little heat.

In my experience, these ingredients create a fritter that is not only delicious but also rich in protein and fiber. I love serving them with other tasty vegan foods I find on veganheaven.org.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe for a few reasons:

1. I love how easy it is to make. I mean, seriously, tossing together red lentils, potato, and a few spices is super simple and doesn’t take forever.
2. The mix of flavors really wins me over. The cumin, paprika, and even a little cayenne give the fritters a kick while still keeping it balanced.
3. I also really dig that it’s vegan and healthy. Even though they taste delicious, I feel good knowing I’m eating something that’s both nutritious and light.
4. Lastly, the crispy texture on the outside with a soft inside is just perfect and goes so well with a side of spicy sriracha mayo.

Ingredients

• Red lentils are rich in protein and fiber, keeping you full and super healthy.
• Potatoes add important carbohydrates, lending a crispy texture and reliable energy boost.
• Onions offer a sweet, savory taste that amps up the flavor and aroma.
• Garlic gives a spicy kick and aroma, also its known for healthy benefits.
• Flour binds everything well, giving fritters a light texture; chickpea flour keeps them gluten-free.
• Spices like cumin, paprika, and cayenne elevate flavor, adding warmth and complexity in every bite.
• Water hydrates lentils perfectly, letting flavors meld and cook to tender perfection.
• Oil crisps up the fritters quick, creating a tasty golden-brown finish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
• 1 cup water (plus a little extra for soaking if needed)
• 1 large potato, peeled and grated
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour if you want it gluten-free)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional but adds a nice kick)
• Oil for frying

How to Make this

1. Rinse 1 cup red lentils and let em soak in 1 cup water for about 20 minutes, adding a little extra water if needed.

2. Peel and grate 1 large potato and put it aside.

3. In a large bowl, mix the soaked lentils, grated potato, 1 small finely chopped onion, and 2 minced garlic cloves.

4. Stir in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or chickpea flour if u want it gluten-free) along with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/3 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper if u like a kick.

5. Mix everything really well. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash more water until it comes together.

6. Heat some oil in a frying pan over medium heat.

7. Scoop about a heaping tablespoon of mixture for each fritter and gently flatten them out in the pan.

8. Fry each fritter for around 3-4 minutes per side until they turn a nice golden brown.

9. Once done, transfer the fritters onto paper towels to drain the excess oil.

10. Serve warm with spicy sriracha mayonnaise on the side and enjoy!

Equipment Needed

1. A bowl for soaking the lentils
2. A grater for the potato
3. A chopping board and knife for the onion and garlic
4. A large mixing bowl for combining all the ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons for the flour and spices
6. A frying pan to cook the fritters
7. A spatula for flipping the fritters
8. Paper towels for draining the oil

FAQ

Red Lentil Fritters Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have red lentils, you can try using green lentils or split peas, but remember that they might need a little extra cooking time.
• Instead of plain water, use some light vegetable broth for a bit more flavor in your fritters.
• Swap out all-purpose flour for chickpea flour if you prefer a gluten-free option, or even try rice flour if you’re out of options.
• If you don’t have smoked paprika, you can mix regular paprika with a tiny bit of liquid smoke to get a similar taste.
• For the onion, you might wanna use a couple of shallots instead if you like a milder flavor in your dish.

Pro Tips

• Make sure you really let the lentils soak enough so they turn mushy, cause if they’re too firm your fritters might fall apart during frying. Sometimes I even mash them a bit by hand so they mix better with the other stuff.

• If you find the mixture is too watery or runny, don’t be afraid to add a bit more flour. It makes them easier to shape and keeps ’em from breaking apart in the pan.

• When you’re frying, don’t just cram all the fritters in at once. Give them space so they get crispy on the outside and cook evenly. Trust me, overcrowding can make ’em soggy and uneven.

• Next time, try tossing in a little extra spice or even some fresh herbs like cilantro for a twist. It adds a burst of flavor that really elevates the dish even if it might not look “perfect”.