Baked Lentil Sambusas with Spiced Filling

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-18 · Updated 2026-06-18

Golden baked sambusas stuffed with a fragrant lentil and onion filling, combining crispy pastry and warmly spiced legumes for a perfect snack or appetizer. This african-inspired snacks ready in about 45 minutes turns red lentils, water, medium, finely chopped yellow onion into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 cups water
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon berbere spice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 8 sheets phyllo dough sheets
• 2 tablespoons, for brushing olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine lentils with 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until lentils are soft and most water is absorbed. Drain any excess liquid.
2. Step 2: While lentils cook, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon berbere spice, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook for 1 minute more.
4. Step 4: Add cooked lentils to the skillet, mixing well to combine and heating through for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lay one phyllo sheet on a clean surface and brush lightly with 1/4 tablespoon olive oil. Place another phyllo sheet on top and brush again. Cut the layered sheets into 3-inch-wide strips.
6. Step 6: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of lentil filling onto one end of each strip. Fold the dough over the filling into a triangle shape, continuing to fold along the strip until sealed.
7. Step 7: Place sambusas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush tops with remaining olive oil.
8. Step 8: Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Serve warm as a savory Ethiopian-inspired snack.