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Baked Greek Lentil Meatballs with Tzatziki

Irresistibly Crispy Baked Greek Lentil Meatballs with Tzatziki

Enjoy a deliciously healthy meal with Baked Greek Lentil Meatballs with Tzatziki, packed with protein and Mediterranean flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Chilling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 meatballs
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meatballs
  • 1 cup Green Lentils Any type of lentils can be used, just adjust cooking time.
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
  • 1/4 cup Parsley Fresh herbs enhance taste; use less if using dried.
  • 1/4 cup Dill Fresh herbs enhance taste; use less if using dried.
  • 1 small Onion Can substitute with onion powder
  • 2 cloves Garlic Can substitute with garlic powder.
  • 1 Egg Or substitute with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water).
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil Can be swapped for any neutral oil.
For the Tzatziki
  • 1 cup Greek Yogurt Use unsweetened almond yogurt for a dairy-free option.
  • 1/2 cup Cucumber Grate and squeeze dry before mixing.
  • 2 tbsp Lemon Juice Fresh lemon juice is preferable.
  • 1 clove Minced Garlic Adjust to taste.
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Dill or Mint Optional, adds an additional layer of flavor.

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

Meatballs Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Mash the cooked lentils until mostly smooth, leaving a bit of texture.
  3. Mix the mashed lentils with breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, dill, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, olive oil, and egg in a bowl.
  4. Scoop the mixture into 1 to 1.5-inch balls and place them on the prepared sheet.
  5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.
  6. For extra crispy meatballs, broil for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Tzatziki Preparation
  1. Whisk together tzatziki ingredients: Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.
  2. Chill for at least 20 minutes for the best flavor.
Serving
  1. Serve the meatballs warm alongside the tzatziki dip.
  2. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and cucumber slices.

Notes

Don’t overmix the lentil mixture to keep the meatballs fluffy. For crispy meatballs, consider broiling at the end. Store leftovers in an airtight container.