Smoky Pinto Bean Burgers
These burgers are smoky, satisfying, and easy to customize with whatever beans you have on hand.
Instructions
- Combine cooked pinto beans with breadcrumbs, grated onion, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Lightly mash everything together so the mixture holds, but still has a little texture. If the mixture feels dry, add a small splash of water or a flax “egg” made from ground flax and water. If it feels too soft, stir in a bit more breadcrumbs until it is easy to shape.
- Form the mixture into burger patties and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 375°F for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping once, until the burgers are firm and lightly crisp on the outside.
- Serve on a bun with avocado, crunchy lettuce, sliced tomato, and your favorite sauce.
Notes
These burgers are great for casual dinners and also hold up well as leftovers. You can reheat them in the air fryer for quick lunches or crumble them into bowls or salads for an easy protein boost.