Lentils can be used as a hamburger substitute in many recipes. I’ve made this lentil loaf several times since this post was first published. I’m glad to be able to finally take new photos. You’ll find one of the originals in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
The idea for lentil loaf came from Pinterest, of course (see the pin here). I was pleasantly surprised to see it had been posted by Dawn Jackson Blatner, author of The Flexitarian Diet (affiliate link). I love the use of sunflower seeds as well as all the vegetables. This particular loaf is egg and gluten free, thanks to the use of besan flour.
We’ve used besan flour before to make besan pudas and we used it as a binder when making zarangollos. As you’ll recall it’s a flour made from chickpeas. When I first came across this ingredient I thought it was kind of exotic, but it’s actually popular in the Mediterranean and Middle East and used in all sorts of traditional recipes. Since it’s grain free, it’s used a lot in gluten free and paleo recipes. For this particular recipe it’s used as an egg replacement. Feel free to use an egg if you prefer.
2015 Edit to Add: Sometimes when I make this the mix seems to be too wet. When this happens I’ll add some breadcrumbs to help tighten things up.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked lentils or a 15 ounce can
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup minced onions
- 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons besan flour mixed with 1/4 cup water or one egg
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°
- Cover a small baking sheet with foil and grease the foil.
- Mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and combine well. It's okay if the lentils get a little mashed. Use your hands, it's fun!
- Shape the mix into a loaf on the foil lined baking sheet.
- Brush the loaf with a little olive oil, ketchup or barbecue sauce and bake for 30 - 40 minutes until the loaf is firm.
If you prefer, shape the mix into patties and fry as for White Bean Patties.
2015 Edit to Add: We served the lentil loaf this time with some peas and potato/carrot mash. After the post was originally published, one of my readers suggested trying them in a sandwich with cheese and spinach. We’ve done it, and it makes for a tasty sandwich.
do u have the nutrition facts available? im new to your site, do u post replies and then notify of the post via email? or do we have to keep coming back to the site to check? it looks yummy, i have had bypass surgery and need a diet of high protein low carb, and has to be delicious for the whole family!
Hi Lorra, I don’t post nutrition facts because I encourage people to make substitutions to suit the ingredients they like and have on hand (for example the garbanzo flour as a binder instead of eggs in the lentil loaf). You can save any of my recipes via the BigOven app by clicking the SAVE button on the recipe card and for a fee (isn’t there always a fee?) BigOven will calculate nutrition as well as help you create a meal plan and shopping list. There are other websites that do the same thing but my recipes are automatically uploaded to BigOven as are recipes from thousands of other bloggers, including many paleo and low carb bloggers. Good luck!
Never tried making lentil loaf, although it is on my list. The besan is a surprise..I have been wanting to get a loaf pan but looks like you have improvised 🙂 Maybe I will try that.
I have a couple recipes using besan; some from India, some from the Mediterranean. I really like it as an ingredient. Please let me know how it turns out for you 🙂
Wow, cool idea to make a sandwich with it! Looks definitely like a delicious comforting veggie meal! I love mashed potatoes, reminds me of home 🙂
I’ve been looking for a good lentil loaf recipe for such a long time! I have my own, and it tastes great, but it doesn’t hold together well. I’m going to try this one for sure!
Let me know how it turns out for you!
oooooo – I just bought a bag of lentils! Maybe I’ll try making this!
I really like lentil loaves! This looks good!
I need to make it again, it’s been awhile.
I’ve never had a lentil loaf. I like lentils and should give this a try.
I think you’ll like it, Nicky. Let me know how it turns out 🙂
I’m trying to eat a little lighter for the spring and summer- going to try this!
My son actually liked it which was a surprise since he’s usually resistant to the veggie food.
My grandmother used to use lentils with provolone cheese and spinach on subs. It was one of her favorites.
That sounds like something I’m going to have to try!
Great recipe and so healthy. I am definitely adding this to my recipe box. Thanks for sharing. I am pinning and twitting.
Thanks, Marla!