Injera-Crusted Lentil Pancakes with Spiced Yogurt Drizzle
A vegetarian Ethiopian-inspired dish featuring savory lentil pancakes with a tangy spiced yogurt sauce, perfect for brunch or a light meal. This Ethiopian-inspired vegetarian recipe (gluten-free), ready in about 35 minutes, layers red lentils, water, berbere spice blend into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. 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 tsp berbere spice blend
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils thoroughly and combine with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15-20 minutes until lentils are soft and water is mostly absorbed; mash lightly with a fork.
- Step 2: Stir 1 tsp berbere spice blend and 1/2 tsp salt into the lentil mash. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Step 3: Spoon 1/4 cup of the lentil mixture into the skillet for each pancake, flattening slightly. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp on edges.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, whisk together 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro until smooth.
- Step 5: Serve the warm lentil pancakes drizzled with the spiced yogurt sauce.








