Air Fryer Lentil Patties
Air fryer lentil patties are a cheap, filling meal made from two tins of lentils, an onion, an egg and a little spice. The mixture is chilled briefly so it holds together, then cooked in the basket with just a light spray of oil until the outsides are crisp and the middles are soft. The recipe makes 8 patties, enough for four people with a salad or in buns.
- Total
- 1 h 12 min
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 27 min
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 225kcal
Choosing the ingredients for air fryer lentil patties
Tinned green or brown lentils hold their shape best, while red lentils turn to paste and will not give you a patty. Rinse and drain them well, then pat them dry, because wet lentils are the main reason patties fall apart. The breadcrumbs soak up moisture, so dried crumbs work better than fresh. A handful of chopped parsley or coriander adds freshness, and a teaspoon of smoked paprika gives a deeper flavour.
Method for air fryer lentil patties
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mash the lentils Tip the drained lentils into a large bowl and mash roughly with a potato masher so about half are broken down and the rest stay whole. The mixture should be chunky, not smooth.
- Add the flavourings Stir in the onion, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper until well combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed. If it is sticky, add 1–2 tbsp more breadcrumbs.
- Chill and shape Cover and chill for to firm up. Divide into 8 portions of about 85g and shape each into a patty about 8cm wide and 2cm thick.
- Preheat the air fryer Heat the air fryer to 190°C for . Lightly spray the basket and the patties with oil.
- Cook the first batch Place 4 patties in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between them. Cook for , turning carefully with a fish slice after , until golden and crisp on both sides.
- Cook the second batch Keep the first batch warm while you repeat with the remaining 4 patties, cooking for and turning halfway. Check the patties are piping hot in the centre before serving.
Serving suggestions
Serve the patties in toasted buns with sliced tomato, lettuce and a spoonful of yoghurt mixed with a little lemon juice, or alongside a crisp salad and some chips from the same air fryer. You can also tuck them into pittas with hummus. Leave out the bun for a lighter meal.
For a version with more vegetables, try air fryer vegetable patties. Tinned lentils also go into a warming lentil soup when the weather turns cold.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Lentil Patties
- The patties crumble when you turn them.
- The mixture was too wet or not chilled long enough. Drain the lentils well, add 1–2 tbsp more breadcrumbs, and give them the full 30 minutes in the fridge. Wait until the underside has formed a crust, after 6 minutes, before turning.
- The outside browns but the middle is mushy.
- Mash only half the lentils and pat the drained lentils dry with kitchen paper first. Keep each patty to about 2cm thick so the heat reaches the middle in 12 minutes.
- The patties stick to the basket.
- Spray the basket with oil before adding them, or use a perforated air fryer liner. Do not try to lift them until the underside has set.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Lentil Patties
How long do you cook lentil patties in an air fryer?
Cook them at 190°C for 12 minutes, turning after 6 minutes. A standard 4–5 litre basket holds 4 patties at a time, so 8 patties take two batches, plus 3 minutes to preheat.
Can you cook lentil patties in the oven instead?
Yes. Bake them on a lined tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6 for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and firm. They will be a little less crisp than in the air fryer.
Can you freeze lentil patties?
Yes, freeze the shaped uncooked patties on a tray, then bag them for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen at 180°C for 15–18 minutes, turning halfway, until hot all the way through.
Are lentil patties vegan?
Not as written, because of the egg. For a vegan version, swap the egg for 2 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tbsp water, left to thicken for 5 minutes, and chill the mixture well.
How did you like the recipe?
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