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A smartphone photo showcasing three thick, golden-brown seared Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Patties with visible mashed orange sweet potato pieces and charred edges.

Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Patties with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

These Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Patties feature a golden-brown crispy crust and a coarse texture. Topped with a thick, vibrant green avocado cilantro sauce, they make a perfect plant-based dinner or meal prep option.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 patties
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American, Plant-Based
Calories: 295

Ingredients
  

For the Patties
  • 2 cups (450g) orange sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup (190g) dry split red lentils rinsed thoroughly
  • 2 tbsp (16g) arrowroot powder or cornstarch to bind
  • 1 tsp (2g) ground cumin for earthy warmth
  • 1 tsp (2g) smoked paprika adds a subtle smoky depth
  • 1 tsp (3g) garlic powder finely ground
  • 1 tsp (3g) onion powder uniformly ground
  • 1 tsp (6g) fine sea salt to season the mixture
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) second avocado oil high smoke point oil for pan-searing
For the Sauce and Toppings
  • 2 medium ripe avocados pitted and scooped out
  • 1 cup (30g) fresh cilantro leaves firmly packed, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) fresh lime juice squeezed from fresh limes
  • 1 tbsp (9g) toasted black sesame seeds for the final beautiful garnish
  • 1/2 tsp (3g) sea salt flakes sprinkled on top right before serving

Equipment

  • 1 Cast-Iron Skillet Essential for creating beautifully charred, crispy edges.
  • 1 High-speed blender Used to create the thick, vibrant green avocado cilantro sauce.
  • 1 Fine-mesh Sieve For thoroughly rinsing and draining the red lentils.

Method
 

Prepare the Bases
  1. Steam the cubed orange sweet potatoes for 12 to 15 minutes until fork-tender. Transfer to a bowl and let vent for 5 minutes, then coarsely mash them leaving visible bits.
  2. Simmer the rinsed red lentils in 2 cups of water for 10 to 12 minutes until soft. Drain thoroughly using a fine-mesh sieve and let air-dry for 5 minutes.
Mix and Cook Patties
  1. Fold the soft red lentils, sweet potatoes, arrowroot powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and fine sea salt together until a coarse mixture forms. Let rest for 10 minutes, then shape into six thick, round patties.
  2. Heat avocado oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the patties for 4 to 5 minutes per side until a deep golden-brown crispy crust and charred edges form.
Blend Sauce and Assemble
  1. Blend the ripe avocados, fresh cilantro leaves, lime juice, water, and sea salt in a high-speed blender until a thick, vibrant green sauce forms.
  2. Stack the seared patties on a ceramic plate. Dollop generously with the thick avocado cilantro sauce, then garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, toasted black sesame seeds, and sea salt flakes.

Notes

Tip 1: Make sure to air-dry both your cooked lentils and steamed sweet potatoes to eliminate excess moisture for the ultimate crispy crust.
Tip 2: Do not crowd the cast-iron skillet during searing, as overcrowding causes the patties to steam rather than crisp.