Spiced Fried Lentil Sambusas

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-09 · Updated 2026-05-09

Crispy triangular pastries filled with a spiced lentil mixture, perfect for sharing as a flavorful street food snack. This Ethiopian-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs red lentils, cooked and drained, onion, finely chopped, garlic clove, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 5, 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 red lentils, cooked and drained
• 1 small (about 1/2 cup) onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp berbere spice blend
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 10 samosa pastry sheets or spring roll wrappers
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté 1/2 cup finely chopped onion with 1 minced garlic clove in 1 tbsp vegetable oil for 5 minutes until translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 1 tbsp berbere spice blend, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 cup cooked and drained red lentils and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, cooking for 3 minutes until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
4. Step 4: Cut 10 samosa pastry sheets into strips about 3 inches wide. Place a spoonful of lentil filling at one end of each strip, fold into a triangle shape, and continue folding until sealed.
5. Step 5: Heat 2 cups vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry the sambusas in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning occasionally.
6. Step 6: Drain on paper towels and serve warm with a side of spiced yogurt or chutney.