Injera-Inspired Teff Flatbread with Spiced Lentil Filling

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft teff flour flatbread inspired by Ethiopian injera, filled with a mildly spiced lentil mixture for a satisfying vegetarian wrap. This african-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 50 minutes pairs teff flour, all-purpose flour, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 African cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 tsp active dry yeast with 1 1/2 cups warm water and 1/2 tsp salt. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Step 2: Whisk in 1 cup teff flour and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour until smooth. Cover and let ferment at room temperature for 12-18 hours, until bubbles appear and batter smells slightly sour.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp berbere spice mix; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 3/4 cup rinsed red lentils and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until lentils are tender and water is mostly absorbed. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and remove from heat.
  6. Step 6: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Pour 1/4 cup of the fermented batter into the skillet, swirling to form a thin round flatbread about 8 inches in diameter. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until holes form on the surface and edges lift.
  7. Step 7: Remove injera and keep warm. Repeat with remaining batter.
  8. Step 8: To serve, spoon the spiced lentil filling onto each teff flatbread, roll or fold, and enjoy warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Injera-Inspired Teff Flatbread with Spiced Lentil Filling take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Injera-Inspired Teff Flatbread with Spiced Lentil Filling?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep teff flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Injera-Inspired Teff Flatbread with Spiced Lentil Filling?

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 Injera-Inspired Teff Flatbread with Spiced Lentil Filling for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Injera-Inspired Teff Flatbread with Spiced Lentil Filling 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.

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