Red Lentil Pancakes Recipe The Holy Mess

These simple pancakes with just two ingredients are a delicious way to add healthy lentils to your diet. They are versatile as well as low in calories.

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Red lentil pancakes are a healthy option to add nutrient-rich lentils to your diet in a flavorful, easy way. These pancakes are quick to make and take just two simple ingredients.

I admit that when I first heard about this recipe, I was highly skeptical. Pancakes made out of beans?! I wondered if it would work and even more, if it would taste half-way decent.

However, I’ve been adding more beans to my diet for health and weight loss, so I was willing to give it a try.

I’ve made these pancakes a number of times now and been surprised at the delicious result. Being made with lentils, these have a heavier texture than a traditional pancake, but they are quite good.

Because of the fiber and protein in the beans, these are really filling. Typically I am hungry for 3-4 pancakes (at least *ah-hem*) but I’m often satisfied with just one of these.

I’ve tried this recipe with both sweet and savory variations. While they do work for a sweeter pancake, my favorite way to make them is savory with garlic and onion. I enjoy them spread with hummus and filled with veggies like spinach and tomatoes. This makes a perfect accompaniment to my big lunch salads.

Try these with our hummus without tahini for a real punch of filling fiber and plant-based protein.

What are Red Lentil Pancakes?

Red lentil pancakes are pancakes made just with red lentils and water. This same recipe can be made into crepes, flatbread, or even pizza crust. Read on for our simple tutorial showing you how.

These pancakes are low in calories and zero or low points on all WW Plans.

Weight Watchers Points for Red Lentil Pancakes

Here are the points for red lentil pancakes.

Serving size is 1 crepe or pancake, using 1/6th of batter.

This recipe is zero points for WW plan 2023. (Note that diabetic plan points might vary.)

WW Green – 2 points

WW Blue – 0 points

WW Purple – 0 points

red lentil pancakes with spices — Red lentil pancakes take just 2 simple ingredients and are full of fiber and protein. I like matching a batch and adding them to my breakfasts or lunches to make them more filling and to get in an extra serving of beans.

Red Lentil Pancake Ingredients

These pancakes require only 2 ingredients:

Red lentils
Water

Do not attempt to use other types of lentils for this recipe. Red lentils cook more quickly than other colors and provide the necessary texture. If your local grocery store does not carry red lentils, you can order red lentils on Amazon here.

How to Flavor Red Lentil Pancakes

This is a basic recipe that can be flavored in any way you desire. Here are some options.

Savory pancakes. Add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder and a dash of sea salt. Use as a flatbread and fill with vegetables, hummus, or serve alongside most any dinner.
Italian lentil pancakes. Add 2 tsp Italian seasoning mix. Stuff with vegetables or serve alongside pasta and sauce.
Indian pancakes. Add 1 tsp curry. Delicious served with a vegetable curry or dahl.
Mexican pancakes. Add 1 tsp chili powder and 1 tsp cumin. Serve spread with fat free refried beans.
Sweet pancakes. Add 2 finely chopped dates. Serve with maple syrup and banana slices.

FAQ about Red Lentil Pancakes

Here are answers to questions we receive most often about lentil pancakes.

Can I use other lentils to make pancakes?

No. Only red lentils can be used in this recipe. Red lentils are softer and cook more quickly than other lentils.

What is the healthiest pancake?

Some of the most healthy pancakes are lentil pancakes and oatmeal pancakes. Whole wheat pancakes made with 100% whole wheat flour or protein pancakes (such as using Kodiak mix) are other options.

How can I flavor Red Lentil Pancakes?

Red lentil pancakes and crepes are a basic recipe that can seasoned a variety of ways. Make them savory with garlic, onion, and salt, or make them sweet by adding chopped dates or other sweeteners.

Can Red Lentil Pancakes be frozen?

Yes, make pancakes according to directions and cool completely. Store in a sealed freezer bag with a sheet of wax paper between each pancake.

Why do my pancakes break apart when I cook them?

If you don’t wait long enough for the pancake to cook on the bottom, it will tear as you flip it and you’ll have a soggy mess. Cook the pancakes on a medium-low to medium heat and be sure they are done and slightly browned on one side before flipping.

How can I make my lentil pancakes more fluffy?

Red lentil pancakes are thinner than a traditional pancake and more suitable for a crepe or flatbread. To make them fluffier like a traditional breakfast pancake, add 1/2 tsp baking powder to the batter.

How to Make Red Lentil Pancakes {Step by Step with Photos}

Here’s exactly how to make these healthy lentil pancakes.

Red lentils in cup for crepes — We used an immersion blender, but you can you use a regular blender or food processor to make the batter.

Measure lentils into a large cup (if using immersion blender) or container (if using blender). Add water and allow to soak for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.

After soaking, drain soaking water and replace with fresh water. (You can skip draining and cook these in the soaking water, but changing the water aids in digestion.)

Blending lentils for batter — Be sure to allow a couple hours soaking time so lentils are very soft and blend easily.

Blend lentil and water mixture with an immersion blender or pour into blender and blend on medium speed until completely mixed with no large chunks of lentils.

Red lentil pancake batter — Blend until creamy. These can be made savory or sweet depending on the spices you add.

The batter will be thick and creamy. If using spices or flavorings, add them now.

Ladle batter into skillet — Make pancakes on the smaller side as you get used to working with the batter.

Ladle batter onto a skillet over medium-low to medium heat. Spread with the back of a spoon to reach desired size. Lentil batter is a bit more tricky to work with than flour batters, so I recommend starting with a smaller pancake until you get the hang of it.

Lower heat works better than high heat to make sure pancakes are cooked through.

pancake cooking — Cook over medium low heat.

Once the pancake is done on one side and a tiny bit brown, carefully flip.

cooking lentil crepe — Carefully cook and flip.

Cook for 1-2 more minutes on other side, and then turn onto serving plate. Cooking remaining pancakes and serve.

Enjoy these pancakes as you would a traditional pancake or fill with your favorite low calorie dips or spreads. You can also enjoy them as a wrap for vegetables, salad, or sandwich fillings. Try egg salad or tuna salad.

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