These Lentil Croquettes are made with a blend of lentils, sweet potato and carrots to provide a wholesome finger food. Easy to pick up with a soft texture they are perfect for babies and toddlers but are sure to be a hit with all ages.
If your little one has already enjoyed our flavourful lentil puree, they're in for a treat with these Lentil Croquettes. With a similar flavour profile, this finger food offers a different and convenient way to explore lentils.
And if you're seeking more delicious lentil recipes, check out our Lentil Bake, Lentil Curry, Baby Pasta Sauce, and Lentil Burgers for a variety of wholesome and tasty options to enjoy.
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Reasons to Love this Recipe
- Nutrition - These little croquettes are packed full of Vitamin A - essential for growth, healthy skin and for good vision. Potassium - which helps the heart and muscles work better. Vitamin C - needed for growth and healing of wounds. It also helps in the absorption of iron which is great because the lentils provide a source of Iron - needed for healthy blood and muscles.
- Texture Exploration - With their finger food format, these croquettes provide a great opportunity for yorur little one to explore different texture, encouraging sensory development and fine motor skills.
- Freezer Friendly - Ideal for busy parents, prepare a batch in advance and have a convenient supply at your fingertips.
Step By Step Instructions and Cooking Tips
Preparing the croquettes are easy but a little time consuming. The first step is cooking the sweet potato and lentil mixture, The mixture is soft and mashes together well. I often just serve this mixture as a side dish!
Before forming the sweet potato croquettes you will need to chill the mixture to firm it up. This makes it easier to shape and coat the croquettes.
Use a heaped tablespoon of mixture to form each croquette and roll them into small sausage like shapes. It is easer if you form rough croquette shapes first, until all the mixture is used, them wash your hands and roll the croquettes in the breadcrumbs. You can tidy up the shape, while rolling in the breadcrumbs, until they look like the croquettes pictured.
TIP- If you find the mixture is still on the soft side then add a tablespoon of breadcrumbs to the mixture, this will soak up the excess moisture and will make the croquettes easier to form. Keep adding a tablespoon at a time to get the consistency you are happy to work with.
Recipe FAQs
Freeze the crumbed croquettes (before baking) on a baking tray until frozen and then transfer to a ziplock bag / freezer container. Freeze for up to two months.
If you have leftovers you can also freeze them using the same method.
These croquettes are appropriate to introduce when your baby reaches the developmental stage for finger foods, 6 months +. However it's important to note that they contain common allergens, such as dairy form the cheese and wheat in the breadcrumbs, as well as egg. It is recommended to introduce these allergenic ingredients individually and separately to observe any potential allergic reaction. If no issues arise, you can offer these croquettes to your baby.
This recipe has been developed using red lentils as they breakdown and soften easily. If you decide to substitute them with a different variety of lentil, please note that the cooking time and required liquid amount may vary and the texture of the croquette will be different. Since I have not tested this recipe with other lentil varieties, I cannot guarantee the outcome.
Chilling the mixture helps to firm it up to make it easier to form the croquettes. If you find the mixture is still on the soft side then add a tablespoon of breadcrumbs to the mixture, this will soak up the excess moisture and will make the croquettes easier to form. Keep adding a tablespoon at a time to get the consistency you are happy to work with.
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Lentil and Sweet Potato Croquettes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 Small Onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 200g (3 small) Carrot, peeled and finely diced
- ½ teaspoon Minced Garlic
- 400g (1 medium) Sweet Potato, cut into small chunks
- 100g (½ cup) Red split lentils
- 250ml (1 cup) Water
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Coriander (cilantro) (optional)
- 50g (½ cup) Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 1 Egg
- 75g (1 cup) Panko Breadcrumbs SEE NOTE 1
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large sauce pan over a medium high heat. Add the onions, garlic and carrots, reduced the heat, and sauté for 5 mins.
- Add the red split lentils and sweet potato and stir for a further 5 mins.
- Add the water, cover and simmer on a low heat for approx. 30 mins. (making sure to check and stir mixture so it does not burn) SEE NOTE 2
- Mash together and chill for 30 mins.
- Pre heat oven to 190c / 375f / gas 5
- Add egg, cheese and coriander to the sweet potato and lentil mixture. Stir to combine. SEE NOTE 3
- Use a heaped tablespoon of mixture to form each croquette and roll them into small sausage like shapes. It is easer if you form rough croquette shapes first, until all the mixture is used, them wash your hands and roll the croquettes in the breadcrumbs. You can tidy up the shape, while rolling in the breadcrumbs, until they look like the croquettes pictured.
- Place on a greased baking tray, lightly spray with oil and cook for approx. 30 mins (until golden)
Recipe Notes
- I find panko breadcrumbs give the best crunchy coating. You can use homemade breadcrumbs if you prefer.
- You want to make sure the mixture is soft and the water has been absorbed.Â
- If you find the mixture is too wet to form croquettes then you can add a couple of tablespoon of breadcrumbs into the mixture. This will soak up any excess moisture. Sometimes I need to do this, other times I don't.
DeDe says
This is such a yummy recipe. I made a few changes and can report the results are still amazing and my toddler loved it.
I didn't put egg as I personally don't like the egg and lentils flavour combination. Instead I added a bit Breadcrumbs.
Amy says
Great to know, thanks De De.
Lisa says
Just made this but was planning on freezing as you suggested. What’s the best way to serve it after freezing? Do we thaw it first, then cook as suggested?
Amy says
Hi Lisa you can bake from frozen, just make sure they are piping hot throughout before serving. 🙂
Angeliqua says
Can I use brown lentils instead of red ?
Amy says
Hi Angeliqua, The cooking time would need to be longer and the croquettes would be a different texture (red split lentils break down more).
Rachel says
Can you use a different bean such as black bean or canelloni beans? Do you need to use bread crumbs to coat ?
Rachelle says
This was so yummy! I am pretty picky, and have been wanting to ‘safely’ expand my palette, and this fit the bill. My six month old baby is just starting solids, and she loved this as well!
I baked a few whole sweet potatoes, then tore off the skin and mashed them. This method saved active time since I didn’t have to cut or peel them. I also grated the carrot, and cooked the grated carrot for two minutes.
I didn’t add the onion or cheese, but instead I added some cinnamon. I did need to add some breadcrumb to the potato mixture, as I found it to be too wet.
Amy says
Thanks Rachelle, I'm glad you are finding recipes that work for you and your baby. Hopefully you find many more.
Alicia says
I really loved this recipe thank you for sharing. My little fussy eater gobbled them all up and that’s a huge tea time achievement for us
Amy says
Fantastic! Thanks for taking the time to let me know, Alicia 🙂