Lentils are one of my favorite vegan ingredients to cook with. They add bulk, protein, and flavor to meals that need a bit of “meat” to them. These vegan air fryer lentil burgers can be made as burgers, or the recipe can be divided for lentil burger sliders. Either, way they’re perfectly delicious, juicy, and satisfying.

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.
• Quinoa – Quinoa adds texture and helps bind the burgers together. They also add protein and nutrients.
• 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. In this recipe, the almond milk is used to make the flax egg. You can also use water if you’re in a pinch.
• Ground flax seed – Instead of an egg, this vegan recipe uses a flax egg (1 tbsp. ground flx + 3 tbsp. almond milk left to sit for 5 minutes).
• 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. I find the woody herbs of sage and thyme to really compliment these lentil burgers. The smoky cumin also contributes to the flavor.
• Almond flour – A little bit of almond flour added helps keep these burgers the right texture and consistency.

Recipe FAQs

• Can I make these vegan sliders gluten free? – Yes you can! The base recipe is gluten-free, and just use your favorite gluten-free buns or a lettuce wrap.
• 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. You can also tried grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms or hot sauce for additional flavor.
• 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.

These air fryer lentil slides are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free if you use a gluten-free bun or serve them on a lettuce wrap. I’ve also used this recipe to make “taco meat” for vegan tacos. It’s really versatile, and using lentils in recipes makes a satisfying plant-based meal! So, next time you’re preparing for a cookout, try these burgers or my juicy portobello mushroom burgers.