Red Lentils are easy to make into savory or sweet pancakes.

Let’s find out how good lentils are for you too!

Although black lentils have the most significant percentage of nutrients and protein, all lentils pack lots of nutrients into a neat little package.

Lentils don’t need to be soaked before cooking as beans do. Just rinse them well. I like to soak lentils; it takes less time to cook them. Using soaking water keeps more nutrition in your food. However, it is essential to wash and soak red lentils before making these pancakes.

Red lentil pancakes are great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you are avoiding sugars, well, these don’t need any! They taste good just by themselves or with a dollop of sour cream on the side.

Lentil Nutrition

Red Lentils in Jar — Red Lentils Soaking in a Jar – Refrigerate to use as needed

Thiamine, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic acid, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorous, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, and Manganese.
1/2 cup of cooked lentils contains approximately:
112 calories
20 grams of Carbs
8.5 grams of protein
0.4 grams of fat
7.5 grams of fiber

The protein in lentils is not a complete protein. To be complete, lentils should be eaten with seeds, nuts, or grains, like rice. You don’t have to add them to the same recipe or meal; just add them on the same day for the best results.

Adding a few cooked lentils to a salad with some pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds is not only tasty; you are adding a complete plant-based protein to your diet.

Lentils are Naturally Gluten-Free

To assure you are combining lentils to eat a complete protein, in keeping with our gluten-free diets, any seeds or nuts you enjoy are appropriate gluten-free additions to lentils. For grains, you can use a naturally gluten-free variety such as rice, corn, teff, quinoa, or certified gluten-free oats. Also, be sure to read the labels as you need to be sure there are no other items added that could interfere with their gluten-free status. This can happen inadvertently if some grain is processed in a facility that also processes wheat.

Lentils improve healthy gut function along with good bacteria. Lentils contain a wide range of plant compounds called phytochemicals. Polyphenols such as procyanidin and flavonols are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. All of these great nutritional benefits add up to help improve blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, add good cholesterol, and contribute to heart health.

Lentils are tasty when cooked in such a way as to augment their natural flavors. Red lentils have a slightly green-tasting peppery flavor. If you wish to counter this to have a more pleasing flavor, oddly enough, you add some black pepper or a little hot sauce. Red lentils don’t take a lot of cooking time. You should, however, be aware of one thing, acids, like lemon juice or vinegar, will impede the cooking process. So be sure to add any citrus or acidic flavors to the lentils after they are cooked.

Brunch and Special Occasion Ideas:

Red Lentil Pancakes are a great treat for Brunch. You can make them ahead and keep them warm in the oven until serving time.
You may enjoy the following books for additional reading.
Just Egg Recipes: Best recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinners, and more! by Quincy Haydon
Danielle Walker’s Against All Grain Celebrations: A Year of Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes for Every Occasion, by Danielle Walker
Sarabeth’s Good Morning Cookbook: Breakfast, Brunch, and Baking, by Sarabeth Levine and Genevieve Ko, with photographs by Quentin Bacon.
Gluten-Free, You Can Do It, by Trina Astor-Stewart. From making your own flour mixes and baking delicious bread to tea time, mealtime, and so much more.

5 Steps to Making Red Lentil Pancakes