These vegan air fryer lentil sliders are the perfect plant-based recipe for a spring BBQ or picnic. I made these for my omnivore loved ones and they devoured them! Also, they’re really cheap to make and nutritious. I love cooking with lentils.

Lentils are a healthy plant-based protein that provide all sorts of beneficial nutrients. You can use red or green lentils for this recipe, though I do prefer using green for their texture.
When I first formulated this recipe I was going to use almond flour. Then, by a happy accident, I realized I was out and used an unopened box of croutons. It turns out they were the perfect addition for these vegan sliders because they’re already seasoned and full of flavor.
Croutons are also much crunchier than flour alone. So, they add a nice layer of texture. Be sure to check the ingredients to make sure your croutons are vegan. Many of them contain dairy of some kind.

Some vegan brands of croutons I like are:
- Kelly’s gourmet cheezy croutons
- Carrington farms organic croutons
- Fresh gourmet organic seasoned croutons
About the ingredients for these vegan air fryer sliders
- Lentils – This is the “meat” of the recipe. Many vegan slider recipes call for black beans, but I prefer the texture and density of lentils.
- Croutons – Croutons contribute to the texture of these sliders and also help hold them together. Depending on what croutons you choose, they also add a lot of flavor.
- Almond milk – I like using almond milk over soy milk in most of my recipes. I find it contributes to the best texture and flavor possible.
- Seasonings and Spices – This is the fun part. You can really customize these sliders any way you want. Like them spicy? Add some cayenne pepper? Want a bit of sweetness? Mix in some ketchup. I love how versatile the base recipe is.
- Olive oil – You can replace the olive oil with vegetable broth but I would recommend using the oil, if possible. The fat in the oil helps keep the sliders moist.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I make these vegan sliders gluten free? – Yes you can! Just use your favorite gluten-free bread crumbs or croutons in place of the vegan croutons.
- What do I top these burgers with? – You can garnish and top these sliders with any of your favorite condiments or burger toppings. I like ketchup and a slice of vegan cheese on mine.
- Can I make these without an air fryer? – Yes! You can fry these sliders up on a pan with olive oil until they are thoroughly cooked through. Or, you can bake them on a baking sheet in your oven.
- What do I serve these sliders on? – You can serve these sliders without bread if you are watching your carb intake, or you can serve them on a fluffy roll as you would a burger. I’ve even made wraps and added the sliders inside before. The recipe is really versatile and can be mixed up depending on your preferences.

Vegan Air Fryer Lentil Sliders Recipe
These veggie patties are so flavorful, delicious, and satisfying
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Lentils Dry
- 2 Cups Water For cooking the lentils
- 1 Cup vegan croutons of your choice
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- ½ cup Almond milk
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
Instructions
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Use a medium to large cooking pot to cook 1 cup lentils in 2 cups water according to package directions, stirring occasionally until they are soft and cooked through
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Remove heat and allow lentils to cool off for at least 10 minutes
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In a food processor or blender combine croutons and lentils and blend until thoroughly combined
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Then add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 tsp salt into the food processor also, and blend again until thoroughly combined
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The lentil slider “dough” should be thick and slightly sticky
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Roll the lentil “dough” into 8 evenly sized balls
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Line your air fryer basket with foil
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Space out the lentil slider balls on the foil
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Set your air fryer to 350 degrees F
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Cook them in the air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes
Recipe Notes
I love to top my lentil sliders with vegan mayonnaise, avocado, lettuce, and vegan cheese!
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