Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Sambusa with Berbere Dipping Sauce

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Crispy triangular lentil-filled sambusas seasoned with Ethiopian spices, paired with a fiery berbere dipping sauce for bold flavor. This ethiopian-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes turns brown lentils, water, 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 200 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 Ethiopian cuisine 200 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

1 cup brown lentils
3 cups water
1 medium, finely chopped onion
3, minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp berbere spice mix
1 tsp cumin powder
1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp salt
20 sheets spring roll wrappers
for frying vegetable oil
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp red chili flakes
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup water (for sauce)

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Rinse 1 cup brown lentils and combine with 3 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are soft but not mushy. Drain any excess water.
Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp berbere spice mix, and 1 tsp cumin powder, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Stir the cooked lentils into the spiced onion mixture along with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well and let cool.
Step 4: To form sambusas, place one spring roll wrapper on a flat surface. Cut it in half lengthwise. Take one half, fold into a cone shape, and fill with 2 tbsp lentil filling. Seal edges with a little water and press firmly to close. Repeat until all filling is used.
Step 5: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry the sambusas in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Step 6: For the berbere dipping sauce, whisk together 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp red chili flakes, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/4 cup water until smooth.
Step 7: Serve the warm lentil sambusas with the spicy berbere dipping sauce for a flavorful appetizer or snack.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Sambusa with Berbere Dipping Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Sambusa with Berbere Dipping Sauce?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Sambusa with Berbere Dipping Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Sambusa with Berbere Dipping Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Ethiopian-Inspired Lentil Sambusa with Berbere Dipping Sauce vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.