Kichari Lentil Patties

Have you heard of kichari before? This Indian porridge is transformed into red lentil patties for a tasty treat that’s perfect for snacks and meals. 

Vegan patties make a nice change from eating legumes in a bowl! While there is definitely something appealing about a hearty, satisfying bowl of beans or lentils, it’s nice to change things up.

You’re going to love the Indian spices and flavors that add so much to these crisp patties. If you love these vegan patties then you might also give these red lentil patties with amaranth and black bean bulgur patties a try!

Why This Recipe Works

• These vegan lentil patties contain both rice and lentils (and a myriad of vegetables) making them a very complete meal (and a complete protein!) 
• Perfect for those days when the weather is a bit cool, and it feels good to eat something warming and grounding. 
• Deliciously healthy lentil patties the whole family will love!
• An easy recipe that goes together in just a few steps.

What Goes Into This Recipe

Made with simple, mostly pantry staple ingredients you can find in most grocery stores. The full list and quantities of each ingredient are on the recipe card at the end of the page.

• Aromatics: Fresh garlic, ginger, and onion layer are the first layer of flavor in kichari patties.
• Red lentils: Gives kichari its porridge-like consistency. You won’t get the same results with brown or green lentils. You can reference this lentil guide to learn more about the different kinds.
• Brown rice: You can use any variety of brown rice have you including basmati, long-grain, or short-grain. Check out how to cook brown rice here!
• Spices: Cumin seeds, mustard seeds, turmeric, and black pepper. Use the whole seeds for the best results. Also, don’t skip the black pepper as it increases the bioavailability of the turmeric significantly! 
• Veggies: Use whatever you like! Some ideas include finely chopped broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, potatoes, peas, carrots, or kale.
• Herbs: Fresh cilantro and parsley. Check out this article on how to properly store your herbs!
• Sriracha: For serving but it’s totally optional if you prefer no heat! 

How To Make Lentil Patties

• 1) Add the oil, garlic, ginger, and onion to a saucepan and cook over medium heat until lightly brown. 

• 2) Add the red lentils, rice, and water and bring to a low boil. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 25 to 35 minutes until the rice and lentils are cooked and it has reached a porridge-like consistency.

• 3) Uncover the pot, turn off the heat, and let it rest for 10 minutes, it will thicken a bit more as it stands.
• 4) Heat one tablespoon of oil in a skillet and add the cumin and mustard seeds. Heat on medium-low until the mustard seeds begin to pop, usually about 1 to 2 minutes. Do not let them burn. Then add the turmeric and black pepper to the oil and stir them into the seeds.

• 5) Add the chopped vegetables to the skillet and cook on medium-low heat until just tender and salt to taste. 

• 6) Add the fresh herbs and then combine the veggie mixture with the cooling rice and lentil mixture.

• 7) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and lightly oil the baking sheet, or line it with a silicone mat or parchment paper. 

• 8) When the mixture is cool enough to handle, form the kichari into small balls with your hands and lay them on a sheet evenly spaced. 

• 9) Bake for 10 to 15 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. They will remain soft and delicious inside. Drizzle with a condiment of choice such as Sriracha.

Expert Tips and FAQs

• Heating the spices is an essential step in making kichari lentil patties. It warms the oils in the spices making them more fragrant and flavorful.
• Don’t forget to oil or line your baking sheet to keep the baked lentil patties from sticking.
• Serve with a sauce such as Sriracha, tamarind paste, vegan garlic sauce, or spicy peanut sauce.

What is Kichari?

Kichari, an Indian spiced legume and rice porridge, really is something special. It can be something as simple as rice and red lentils cooked together and seasoned with just salt and pepper. 

Many variations include a variety of veggies cooked right into the pot. It’s often spiced with mustard seeds, cumin, fenugreek, and our all-time favorite, turmeric. 

It’s like an Indian risotto, cooked on a stovetop until nice and creamy then dished out in wide bowls. You can eat it alone or with a simple flatbread.

In this recipe, I change it up a bit and serve it shaped into baked lentil patties. Serve it up with a bit of tamarind sauce or hot sauce for a snack, lunch, or dinner. 

More Vegan Lentil Recipes

• Mushroom Red Lentil Meatballs
• Red Lentil and Vegetable Stew
• Lentil Potato Soup
• Lentil Kalamata Spread

Photos by Alfonso Revilla