CRISPY Lentil Fritters | Insanely Delicious and Easy to Make

These crispy lentil fritters, known as tortillitas de lentejas, are what Spanish comfort food is all about. We’re talking a ton of great flavors, super easy to make, and all done using everyday ingredients. Serve them as a tapas appetizer or even as a main course.

To make this recipe, I used dried green lentils. You can also use brown lentils or even red lentils. Either way, when you’re working with dried lentils, they’re not like other dried beans, where you have to soak them overnight. Just give them a quick rinse, and they are ready to go.

I served these fritters next to a simple mayo aioli that truly elevates this dish. I used a combination of garlic, saffron, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and olive oil. You can add some heat by adding in a dash of crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: I fried the fritters for about 4 minutes per side on medium heat to get that crispy texture. You can also bake them if you like. 200°C / 400°F for about 15 to 20 minutes should do the trick.

Key Ingredients & Cookware I used in this Recipe:
MY COOKWARE
MY CHEF´S KNIFE
EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
SPANISH GOLDEN SAFFRON

If you´re not already subscribed to my youtube channel, become a subscriber and click on the bell icon to be notified everytime I release a new video.

Support Spain on a Fork. Get your Spain on a Fork Apron and other awesome Merchandise here.

Your SUPPORT Helps Spain on a Fork Keep Going

Join Me on Patreon!

Watch the Video Below on How to Make CRISPY Lentil Fritters

5 from 1 vote

Print

CRISPY Lentil Fritters | Tortillitas de Lentejas

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Spanish

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 470 kcal

Author Albert Bevia @ Spain on a Fork

Ingredients

FOR THE LENTIL FRITTERS

• 1/2 cup dried green lentils 95 grams
• 2 cups water 480 ml
• 1 bay leaf
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour 90 grams
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup beer 120 ml
• 1 shallot (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley 8 grams
• 1/2 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1.50 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE MAYO AIOLI

• 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
• 1/4 tsp saffron threads .17 grams
• 1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise 120 grams
• 1 tsp lemon juice 5 ml
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 15 ml
• sea salt & black pepper

EXTRAS

• 1/3 cup sunflower oil 90 ml
• chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Add the lentils into a fine sieve and rinse under water, then add into a saucepan, along with the water and bay leaf, heat it with a high heat, once it comes to a boil place a lid on the pan and lower to a low heat, simmer until the lentils are just cooked through (check package instructions on the lentils you are using), once cooked drain the lentils into a colander and rinse under cold water

2. Add the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the middle, crack in the egg and whisk it, then add in the beer and whisk everything together until you get a creamy batter

3. Add the chopped shallot into the batter, along with the chopped garlic, parsley, paprika, and cumin, mix together, then add in the lentils and season with salt & pepper, mix together until well mixed

4. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the sunflower oil

5. After a couple of minutes add in spoonfuls of the batter, you want all the fritters in a single layer and evenly spaced out, cook in batches, fry for 4 minutes per side or until golden and crispy, then transfer over a wire rack with paper towels underneath

6. Once the fritters are done make the mayo aioli, add the garlic into a mortar, along with the saffron and a pinch of salt, using a pestle pound down on the ingredients until you get a paste-like texture, then add in the mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, and season with salt & pepper, whisk together

7. Add the mayo aioli into a serving dish and decorate the fritters around it, garnish with chopped parsley, enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Get the Spanish Golden Saffron I used to make this Recipe

Nutrition Facts

CRISPY Lentil Fritters | Tortillitas de Lentejas

Amount Per Serving

Calories 470 Calories from Fat 270

% Daily Value*

Fat 30g46%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 0.02g

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 20g

Cholesterol 51mg17%

Sodium 261mg11%

Potassium 344mg10%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 393IU8%

Vitamin C 6mg7%

Calcium 44mg4%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclosure: At Spain on a Fork, we offer affiliate links to help you find what you need to re-create our recipes. If you like what we do, you can support us through our chosen links, which earn us a commission, but you still pay the same price. Learn more here.