Fried Ethiopian Sambusa with Spiced Lentil Filling

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Crispy fried sambusas filled with a richly spiced lentil mixture, perfect as flavorful street food or an appetizer. This Ethiopian-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs green lentils, water, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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

• 1/2 cup, rinsed green lentils
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 small, finely chopped yellow onion
• 2, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp berbere spice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• for frying, about 2 cups vegetable oil
• 12 sheets samosa wrappers or spring roll wrappers

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup rinsed green lentils with 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until lentils are tender and water is absorbed. Drain any excess water.
2. Step 2: While lentils cook, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp berbere spice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir the cooked lentils into the spiced onion mixture and mash slightly with a fork to bind the filling. Remove from heat and let cool.
4. Step 4: Lay out 12 samosa or spring roll wrappers on a clean surface. Place about 2 tbsp of lentil filling near one corner and fold the wrapper into a triangular shape, sealing edges with a little water.
5. Step 5: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry sambusas in batches for 3-4 minutes each until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.