Maple-Glazed Lentil Loaf with Herb Crust
A hearty vegan loaf packed with earthy lentils, sweet maple, and a crunchy herb topping, perfect for meal prep or holiday sides. This vegetarian-inspired vegetarian (vegan) ready in about 60 minutes pairs cooked and drained brown lentils, rolled oats, finely grated carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 8, 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 cup, cooked and drained brown lentils
- 1/2 cup, rolled oats
- 1/2 cup, finely grated carrots
- 1/4 cup, finely diced onion
- 1, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine cooked lentils, 1/2 cup rolled oats, grated carrots, diced onion, minced garlic, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 2 tbsp chopped parsley. Mix until well combined and holds together when pressed.
- Step 2: Press mixture firmly into a greased 8x4-inch loaf pan, smoothing the top. Brush with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame seeds.
- Step 3: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and firm to the touch. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing to set.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil and toast sesame seeds for 1 minute until fragrant and golden, stirring constantly.
- Step 5: Remove loaf from pan, slice into 8 equal portions, and serve warm with additional maple syrup drizzle if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Lentil Loaf with Herb Crust take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Maple-Glazed Lentil Loaf with Herb Crust?
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 rolled oats from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Lentil Loaf with Herb Crust?
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 Maple-Glazed Lentil Loaf with Herb Crust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Maple-Glazed Lentil Loaf with Herb Crust vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.