Buns Stuffed with Lentils

Get ready for a tasty treat with these easy Buns Stuffed with Lentils! These yummy vegan buns are not only delicious, but they also make a fun addition to your snacks or lunch. With a little kick of spice in every bite, you’ll want to have more!

Check out more of my Asian bread recipes here: Vegan Siopao and Pandesal - Filipino Bread Rolls.

Jump to:

• What is Buns Stuffed with Lentils?
• Health Benefits of Lentils
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage
• Ingredients
• Top Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Buns Stuffed with Lentils

What is Buns Stuffed with Lentils?

Buns Stuffed with Lentils are these amazing vegan treats that are both easy to make and super delicious! They’re savory buns filled with a spiced lentil mixture, giving you a nice kick in every bite.

Perfect as an appetizer or even for lunch, this bun recipe is a fun way to enjoy lentils. The recipe combines lentils with spices, onions, and garlic, all wrapped up in a homemade pita dough. You can serve them warm or cold, making them super versatile!

Health Benefits of Lentils

• Lentils are high in fiber and are great for the digestive system.
• Supports regular bowel movement
• It contains a wide range of healthy plant compounds, also known as phytochemicals, which protect the human body against various diseases.
• Great source of vitamins like the B vitamins
• A delicious source of plant-based protein

Substitutions

• Lentils: Use cooked red lentils or canned lentils if you don’t have dried ones. Just make sure to drain and rinse them well.
• Olive Oil: You can use any neutral oil, like sunflower or avocado oil, as a substitute.
• Self-Raising Flour: If you don’t have self-raising flour, use all-purpose flour combined with 1 teaspoon of baking powder for every cup of flour. You may use whole wheat flour for more fiber.
• Spices (Coriander, Cumin, Cayenne Pepper, and Black Pepper): You can combine these spices or use a pre-made spice blend that includes them.
• Onion and Garlic: Use onion powder and garlic powder in place of fresh onion and garlic for convenience; about 1 teaspoon each should suffice.
• Tomato Purée: Substitute with crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce if purée is unavailable.
• Lemon Juice: You can use apple cider vinegar as a tangy alternative.
• Psyllium Husk: Ground flaxseed can be a good alternative for binding.

Variations

• More Protein: This is a great alternative to your usual Sloppy Joe's. For more protein-packed stuffing, you can add diced mushrooms or sprinkle nuts.
• Spicy Version: Add some diced bell pepper and also increase the amount of black pepper.
• Cheesy Option: Mix in vegan cheese with the lentil filling.
• Herb-Infused: Add fresh cilantro or parsley for extra flavor. Sprinkly with sesame seeds before baking.
• Vegan (Dairy-free): Use any type of lentils, substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos, replace olive oil with vegetable oil, use a gluten-free flour blend, , opt for onion and garlic powders, substitute tomato purée with crushed tomatoes, and use apple cider vinegar as a tangy alternative.

Storage

• Refrigeration: Store the buns in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This keeps them fresh and ready to eat.
• Freezing: If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the buns. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last for about 2-3 months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat, just thaw and reheat!
• Room Temperature: If you plan to eat the buns within a day, you can keep them at room temperature in a covered container, but it's best to consume them to ensure freshness.

Ingredients

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

For the Lentil shawarma

• soaked lentils
• lemon juice
• soy sauce
• tomato purée
• olive oil
• ground cumin
• cayenne pepper
• ground cloves
• black pepper
• onion
• garlic cloves

For the pita

• self-raising flour
• hot water
• sunflower oil
• salt

Instructions

In a big bowl, combine flour, hot water, oil, and salt:

Cover with a kitchen towel and leave on the side while you prepare the shawarma:

Heat a non-stick pan on medium heat with oil. Cook onion and garlic until tender, then add spices and cook for another 10 seconds:

Pour soy sauce and tomato purée:

Mix then add lentils and cook for about 1 minute. Then, remove from heat and let cool down:

Now, let's prepare the stuffed pita. Flour your working space. Divide dough into 6 balls and press each ball with your hand:

Divide lentils into 6 portions and add on each dough:

Close dough by bringing the side to the middle and press again with your hand to form the pita. It must be about 12 cm in diameter:

Heat a clean non-stick pan on medium heat. Brush one side of the stuffed pita with oil, then fry in a pan until golden brown:

Brush the other side with oil before flipping to fry:

Serve stuffed pita warm or cold. I love it best when warm. It is one of my ultimate comfort foods that is so easy to make!

Top Tips

• There are several kinds of lentils: red, black, and brown lentils. You can use either of those kinds for this recipe.
• Are you fond of planting herbs in your garden? You can add any fresh herbs that you love to use in cooking.
• Did you know that you can actually steam the buns stuffed with lentils instead of frying? Yes, you can do that!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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More delicious recipes to try!

• Quick & Easy Pancit Bihon
• Fried Rice
• The Easiest Tofu Poke
• Tofu Scramble Recipe - Filipino Style
• Chickpea Buddha Bowl