These Mediterranean Lentil Patties are quick, protein-packed, and full of flavor, perfect for easy weeknight meals or meal prep lunches.
For similar easy recipes, check out our Greek chickpea fritters, zucchini fritters, and easy corn fritters.
Easy, Protein-Packed Patties for Busy Nights
Louise and I love making these Mediterranean Lentil Patties after a long day at work or a good workout 💪. They come together fast with simple ingredients and give you that perfect mix of flavor, texture, and protein in every bite.
They’re nutritious, naturally low in saturated fats, and fit right into a Mediterranean-style eating pattern. 🫒 You can cook them on a skillet or pop them in the air fryer for an even quicker option.
Serve them with tzatziki, a fresh green salad, and warm pita bread for a complete dinner that feels homemade and satisfying. 🍋
Whether you’re cooking for two or meal prepping for the week, these easy vegetarian lentil patties make eating well simple and enjoyable.
Nico Pallotta
Ingredients
For quantities, see recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Lentils: Canned lentils keep this recipe quick and easy. You can also use cooked brown, green, or red lentils. If starting from dried, boil them until tender. These are the heart of this healthy lentil recipe.
- Egg: Helps bind the patties together and add protein.
- Parmesan: Adds richness and saltiness. Substitute with grated pecorino for even more flavor.
- Flour: All-purpose flour gives structure. Try chickpea flour for extra protein or oat flour for a gluten-free alternative.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds color and freshness. You can use cilantro, dill, or even baby spinach if that’s what you have.
- Onion: Yellow or red onion both work. In a pinch, try shallots or a bit of green onion for a lighter flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds bold flavor. Garlic powder can stand in if you’re short on time.
- Paprika or Cumin: These add warmth and depth. Smoked paprika gives a richer flavor, while cumin makes it taste more earthy.
- Ground Coriander: Brings a soft citrusy note. You can replace it with curry powder or extra paprika if needed.
- Lemon Wedges: Brighten everything up at the end. Lime wedges or a splash of apple cider vinegar also work.
- To serve: Pair with low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr mixed with herbs for a quick tzatziki. Add a green salad and pita for a budget-friendly dinner idea that’s fresh and filling.
How to Make Mediterranean Lentil Patties
Blend the Ingredients
Add the drained and rinsed lentils, egg, parmesan, flour, parsley, onion, grated garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper to a food processor.
Pulse a few times until the mixture comes together but still has some texture. Avoid overblending so the patties stay hearty.
Shape the Patties
Scoop the mixture and form about 12 even patties. Place them on a parchment-lined tray. You can shape them by hand or use a cookie cutter for neat edges.
If the mixture feels sticky, wet your hands lightly before shaping.
Choose Your Cooking Method
You can cook these lentil fritters in a skillet, oven, or air fryer depending on your mood or time.
- Pan-fry: Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for about 5 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
- Bake: Brush each patty with olive oil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes until golden.
- Air-fry: Lightly oil the basket and patties. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes or until nicely browned.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve warm with lemon wedges for a bright finish. Pair with tzatziki, a fresh salad, and pita bread for a complete meatless meal idea that’s quick, satisfying, and packed with Mediterranean flavor.
Tips
- Drain lentils well: Too much liquid makes the patties soft and hard to shape. Shake well after rinsing.
- Don’t overblend: Keep some texture so the patties hold up nicely and feel hearty.
- Adjust with flour if needed: If the mix feels too wet, add a bit more flour until it holds together.
- Use good olive oil: It gives the patties that signature Mediterranean diet recipe flavor and helps them brown evenly.
- Cook in batches: Avoid crowding the pan or air fryer basket so the patties crisp up instead of steaming.
- Serve smart: Add a side of tzatziki, a grain salad, or even couscous cooked with vegetable broth (we use bouillon powder dissolved in water to keep groceries lighter).
- Meal prep tip: These patties keep well for lunches or quick weeknight meals. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer for best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can prepare the lentil mixture up to 24 hours in advance. Store it covered in the fridge, then shape and cook when ready. It’s perfect for make ahead vegetarian lunches.
Absolutely. Cooked patties freeze well for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer until warm and crisp again.
It helps, but you can also mash everything by hand with a fork or potato masher for a more rustic texture.
They’re great with tzatziki, a crisp green salad, or grains for a healthy lentil recipe that feels satisfying and balanced.
More Easy Lentil Recipes
- Vegetable lentil soup
- Mediterranean lentil salad
- Curry lentil eggplant soup
- Moroccan lentil soup
- Mediterranean red lentil soup
- Mediterranean tomato lentil soup
- Lentil soup with potatoes and spinach
- Creamy red lentil soup
Tried this Lentil Patties recipe? We'd love to hear what you think! Leave a 🌟 star rating and drop a comment below—we read every single one. 💬💛
Recipe
Mediterranean Lentil Patties
Ingredients
- 2 cans lentils 15 oz / 400 g each can - drained and rinsed - or 3 cups / 460 g cooked lentils
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup parmesan grated
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup parsley or dried oregano
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic grate them before adding to the blender
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander or curry powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika or ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt + black pepper to taste and a drizzle of olive oil if cooking on a pan
Instructions
- Blend the Ingredients: Add 2 cans lentils (drained and rinsed) ,1 large egg, ½ cup parmesan, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour, ¼ cup parsley, 1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to a food processor.Pulse a few times until combined but still a little chunky. Do not overblend or the patties will turn mushy.
- Shape the Patties: Form about 12 patties with your hands and place them on a tray lined with parchment paper.If the mixture feels sticky, wet your hands lightly to make shaping easier.
- Choose your favorite cooking method:Pan-fry: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a non-stick skillet and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden.Bake: Brush with olive oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes until firm and golden.Air-fry: Lightly oil both sides and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes until crisp.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm with lemon wedges, tzatziki, and salad or pita for a quick Mediterranean-style meal.
Notes
- Canned Lentils → Cooked brown or green lentils. If using dried, boil until tender before mixing.
- Egg → Add more flour or chickpea flour.
- Parmesan → Grated pecorino for extra flavor or nutritional yeast for dairy-free.
- Flour → Chickpea flour for more protein or oat flour for a gluten-free option.
- Parsley → Cilantro, dill, or chopped baby spinach for a fresh twist.
- Onion → Red onion, shallots, or green onion for a milder flavor.
- Garlic → Garlic powder or granulated garlic if you’re short on time.
- Paprika or Cumin → Smoked paprika, curry powder, or chili flakes for more depth.
- Ground Coriander → Curry powder or a pinch of turmeric for a warm note.
- To Serve → Lemon wedges, low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr with herbs, green salad, and pita bread for a balanced meal.
- Drain lentils well: Too much moisture makes shaping tricky, so shake them dry after rinsing.
- Keep some texture: Pulse lightly so the patties stay hearty and don’t turn mushy.
- Add flour if needed: A spoonful or two helps the mix hold together if it feels too soft.
- Use quality olive oil: It gives that rich Mediterranean flavor and helps the patties brown beautifully.
- Cook in batches: Leave space so they crisp up instead of steaming in the pan or air fryer.
- Serve with balance: Pair with tzatziki, grain salad, or couscous cooked in vegetable broth.
- Plan ahead: These patties are great for meal prep and reheat perfectly for quick weeknight meals.
Evvie Ferrera says
Love your recipes !
Louise Vestergaard says
Thank you, Evvie, you are so kind!! We are really happy that you are here 🙂 Kindest,
Louise