Crispy Sweet Potato Red Lentil Patties (Printable)

Golden pan-seared patties combining sweet potato and red lentils, served with zesty avocado cilantro cream.

# What You'll Need:

→ Patties

01 - 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
02 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and grated
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
09 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or chickpea flour
11 - Olive oil, for pan-frying

→ Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce

12 - 1 ripe avocado
13 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
14 - 1 garlic clove
15 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
16 - 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
17 - Salt, to taste
18 - 2-3 tablespoons water

# Directions:

01 - Add red lentils to a saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10-12 minutes until lentils are soft and most water is absorbed. Drain excess water and let cool slightly.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, grated sweet potato, chopped onion, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, pepper, chopped cilantro, and flour. Mix thoroughly until mixture holds together. Let rest for 5-10 minutes to bind.
03 - Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil. With damp hands, scoop portions and shape into small patties. Cook in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
04 - Combine avocado, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, yogurt, salt, and 2 tablespoons water in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding more water as needed for creamy, pourable consistency.
05 - Serve patties warm, topped or dipped with creamy avocado cilantro sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy outside gives way to this impossibly creamy, spiced center that somehow tastes comforting and exciting at the same time
  • That avocado cilantro sauce is the kind of thing youll want to put on everything, not just these patties
02 -
  • The mixture absolutely needs that 5 to 10 minute resting period or the patties will fall apart in the pan
  • Keep your hands damp while shaping—dry hands will stick to the mixture and make a mess
03 -
  • Grate the sweet potato using the large holes of a box grater for better texture
  • Let the cooked patties rest on paper towels for at least a minute before serving to keep them crispy
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