Maple-Glazed Lentil & Sweet Potato Loaf
A hearty, savory plant-based loaf with earthy lentils, roasted sweet potatoes, and a sticky maple-tamari glaze. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegan) ready in about 65 minutes pairs brown lentils, medium (about 12 oz) sweet potato, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 brown lentils
- 1 medium (about 12 oz) sweet potato
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup grated carrot
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp tamari
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp flaxseed meal
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Pierce sweet potato and roast for 45 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, cook 1 cup brown lentils in 2 cups water for 20 minutes until tender but not mushy, then drain.
- Step 2: While lentils cook, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1/2 cup diced onion and 1/2 cup grated carrot for 5 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, mash roasted sweet potato until smooth. Add cooked lentils, sautéed vegetables, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp tamari, 2 tbsp flaxseed meal, 1/2 cup rolled oats, and 1 tsp dried thyme. Mix until cohesive.
- Step 4: Press mixture into a greased 8x4-inch loaf pan. Brush top with remaining 1 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tbsp tamari. Bake for 25 minutes until golden and firm.
- Step 5: Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Slice into 8 portions and serve warm with extra tamari for drizzling.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Lentil & Sweet Potato Loaf take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 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 & Sweet Potato Loaf?
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 brown lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Lentil & Sweet Potato Loaf?
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 & Sweet Potato Loaf 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 & Sweet Potato Loaf 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
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
