These oven-roasted lentils are crunchy, crispy, and packed with flavors! Perfect as a grab-and-go snack that is nutritious and highly portable. You only need 5 simple ingredients and can customize it to suit your taste.
These amazing roasted lentils, alongside my roasted black beans and air fryer potato slices, are some of my favorite savory snacks! It is packed with fiber and protein and will hold me until the next meal.
It is also great as a topping for various dishes, and I especially love adding them to my pumpkin potato soup or some silky vegan congee for extra flavor and texture.
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🫘Lentils best for roasting
Most varieties of lentils are suitable for roasting. This includes green, brown, French, or black lentils. Whole lentils are preferred, as they hold their shape better than split ones.
However, red or orange lentils are not recommended for this recipe as they tend to fall apart and turn mushy easily. They are better suited for soups and stews such as instant pot dal and lentil carrot soup.
⏲️Cooking lentils from scratch
I like using canned lentils as they are more convenient. However, you could make your lentils from scratch as well!
Stovetop method - Add a cup of lentils and 2 ½ cups of water to a pot or saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and allow to simmer for 15-17 minutes. Lentils should be tender but not mushy. Drain and allow to cool slightly before using.
Instant pot method - Add a cup of lentils with 2 cups of water. Cook at high pressure for 6 minutes, then allow pressure to release naturally. Drain and let the lentils cool before roasting.
🧂What you will need
📃Ingredients notes and substitutions
- Lentils - Green, black, brown, and French whole lentils are recommended for this recipe. However, red and orange are unsuitable as they turn mushy easily. You can use canned lentils or cook them from scratch.
- Olive oil - Can be substituted with other neutral-tasting oils such as canola, sunflower seed, or corn oil. For a lower-fat version, use a cooking spray.
- Seasonings - I am using onion and garlic powder. However, feel free to experiment with the seasonings and add whatever herbs or spices that sound good.
🔪How to make
- Step 1: Place cooked lentils on paper or dish towels and gently pat dry.
- Step 2: Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix until well combined.
- Step 3: Spread lentils evenly on a lined baking tray.
- Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes until browned, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Allow roasted lentils to cool down before enjoying them!
💡Tip
Keeping a close eye on them in the last 20 minutes of cooking is recommended to prevent burning.
✔Helpful tips
- Avoid overcooking lentils - If you cook them from scratch, cook until they are tender but firm. It is harder for mushy lentils to turn crispy.
- Stir occasionally - When roasting lentils, check on them and stir every 10 minutes or so to ensure even cooking.
- Ensure lentils are spread out when roasting - Minimize overlapping to help lentils crisp up better.
- Experiment with the seasonings - Try adding herbs and spices such as smoked paprika, cumin, rosemary, and red chili flakes. You could also do spice blends like curry powder, taco seasoning, and Italian seasoning.
🥗How to serve
- As a snack - Roasted lentils transport easily, making it a great on-the-go snack. You can also make a savory trail mix by combining them with some roasted nuts and seeds.
- Topping for salads and mains - Add a handful to your pasta dishes, casseroles, or salads for extra crunch, flavor, and protein. I love adding them to spaghetti, romaine avocado salad, and TVP tacos.
- Garnish for soups and stews - They add a delightful crunch to creamy soups!
- To top Buddha bowls or salad bowls
❄️Storing and meal prep suggestions
Batch make it - You can easily double the recipe for a larger batch of roasted lentils. To ensure that your baking tray is large enough to minimize overlapping. Or, you could cook them in 2 batches.
Storing - Roasted lentils can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for a week or refrigerated for 2 weeks. Allow lentils to cool completely before storing.
Reviving stale lentils - If your lentils go stale, simply roast them in the oven for 3-5 minutes to help them regain their crispiness.
💚Why you will love this recipe
- Savory and crunchy with endless flavor combination
- Easy to make and only requires 5 ingredients
- A nutritious snack that is high in fiber and protein
- Meal prep friendly and highly versatile
?Commonly asked questions
Roasting lentils does not reduce their protein content. When heated or cooked, the 3D structure of the protein will unravel and turn back into a chain of amino acids. However, the overall protein amount will remain the same.
Roasted lentils are crunchy and savory, with a slight nutty taste that deepens during roasting.
As lentils on their own do not have much flavor, the flavor of roasted lentils will depend on the seasonings added to them. For a spicy kick, add some hot sauce or curry powder. Boost the umami by adding nutritional yeast or soy sauce, or brighten their flavor profile by adding a splash of vinegar!
You can use canned lentils for roasting. Drain lentils from the can and rinse them before using them.
To roast lentils in the air fryer, line a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer container, then place seasoned lentils in. Cook for 10-15 minutes at 180C/360F, shaking it every few minutes.
🍽More high protein snacks
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📖 Recipe
Crunchy Roasted Lentils
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can green lentils or cooked from dry (around 1 ½ cups cooked)*
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 150C/300F. Place cooked lentils on a paper towel or dish towel and gently pat dry.
- In a large bowl, place all ingredients and toss until seasonings are well distributed.
- Spread lentils evenly on a lined baking tray.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes until browned, stirring it every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking. Keep a close eye on the last minute of cooking to prevent lentils from burning.
- Let them cool down before serving!
Notes
- Avoid overcooking lentils - If you cook them from scratch, cook until they are tender but firm. It is harder for mushy lentils to turn crispy.
- Ensure lentils are spread out when roasting - Minimize overlapping to help lentils crisp up better.
- Experiment with the seasonings - Try adding herbs and spices such as smoked paprika, cumin, rosemary, and red chili flakes. You could also do spice blends like curry powder, taco seasoning, and Italian seasoning.
- Storing - Lentils can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for a week, or refrigerated for 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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Beth says
Thank you so very much for I bought some BBQ flavored lentils twice then they never got them again. They are addictive! I love the texture! I'm so glad you shared this!
Erin says
Used brown lentils, truffle oil and sea salt and it was easy and delicious! Thank you for the stellar method!
Toria says
I made this with dried yellow lentils. I added chilli, paprika, garlic and onion powder but salt flakes. Came out delicious. Thank you.
caroline says
A simple, delicious, and healthy snack. Thank you!
Jim Mee Sha says
Happy to hear that!
Cindy says
Great recipe! I like the versatility so I can adjust the seasonings to the type of salad. Thanks for sharing!
Jim Mee Sha says
Happy to hear that!
Joan says
Yum and so easy!
Laura says
Wonderful, easy and delicious. A fan from Spain 🙂
Meesha says
Really happy to hear that!😁
Rose says
Hi Meesha, I’d like to try these, they look delish. How many dried lentils do I need to make 1 1/2 cups cooked? Thanks for your help and I’ll rate after making.
Meesha says
You will need around 3/4 cup of dried lentils to make 1 1/2 cup.😁
Jenn K says
How long do you cook your lentils? Do you soak your lentils first?
Meesha says
I recommend referring to the section "how to cook lentils" in this post! I go into details on how to cook lentils either using an Instant pot or on stove. Hope this helps!
Charlene Eredics says
Could you use Trader Joes steamed lentils?
Meesha says
Yes, you definitely can 😉
Jade says
Have you cooked in an air fryer? Time and temp?
Meesha says
No, I have yet to try it myself. But I think you can try cooking it at 325F for 10-12 minutes. Do let me know how it turns out! 😊