Simple Vegan Air Fryer Lentil Sliders Recipe

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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.