✔ 1 cup cooked brown or green lentils (about ½ cup dry)
✔ ½ cup breadcrumbs (or oat flour for gluten-free option)
✔ ¼ cup ground flaxseed (or 1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water for a flax egg)
✔ ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts (adds texture & protein)
✔ 1 small onion (finely diced)
✔ 2 cloves garlic (minced)
✔ 1 tablespoon tomato paste
✔ 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (adds umami flavor)
✔ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
✔ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
✔ ½ teaspoon salt
✔ ¼ teaspoon black pepper
✔ 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (for baking or frying)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Lentils
📌 1. If using dry lentils, rinse and cook in 2 cups of water for about 20 minutes until soft. Drain and let cool.
📌 2. Mash the cooked lentils with a fork or pulse in a food processor until slightly chunky.
💡 Don’t over-mash! Keeping some texture gives the meatballs a better consistency.
