Make your own quick and tasty carrot hot dog with pureed veggies and lentils to give them a delicious taste and fine 'veggie dog'-like texture. They're fast, easy and full of goodness. Vegan and easily gluten free.
With these veggie hot dogs, I’ve pureed the lentils and veggies so they have a finer and more ‘veggie dog’-like texture.
The smoked paprika and garlic powder give them that classic hot dog aroma and taste.
But they’re full of goodness from pulses and veggies.
I’ve made them with plain flour, but gluten-free flour works well if required.
Although I like veggie dogs that are full of texture with identifiable pieces of veggies and pulses, my kids don’t like ones that are chunky.
So I’ve whizzed the lentils and vegetables in this recipe to make them finer and a bit more like store-bought vegetarian hot dogs.
So, let’s put on some music, eat veggie dogs and party. Because I quite like the idea of making every day a celebration.
Kids food
As much as I wish they would, my kids don’t squeal with excitement when I feed them kale.
They’re quite good at eating raw veggies with hummus, but if I were to ask them what they wanted for dinner they’re more likely to ask for pizza, pasta or veggie dogs.
If it were up to them, every night it would be party food for dinner.
I suppose that’s understandable. They’re busy growing their bodies and minds and each day is full of wonder. So why not make every meal a party?
Veggie Dogs
I’m not going to give them a beige buffet every night, but a tray of raw veggies alongside homemade nutritious veggie dogs can actually be quite a healthy meal.
Wheat bread rolls makes it even better. And you can easily make refined sugar free homemade tomato ketchup!
Sure, it’s a bit more effort. But these veggie dogs freeze well, so I’d suggest making a double batch and stashing them in the freezer. They’re really easy to make and the kids will love rolling them into hot dog shapes.
Lentil recipes
If you love these veggie dogs and have more lentils to use up, try these lentil recipes!
Easy Lentil Soup
How to make vegan dogs
You don't need to turn to processed store bought veggie dogs. They're really easy to make yourself and taste delicious.
You will need:
red lentils
vegetable stock
olive oil
onion
carrots
smoked paprika
garlic powder
flour (plain or gluten-free)
Then you just need to cook the lentils, fry the onion and then whiz it all up on a food processor or blender! Shape it into hot dog shapes, chill them and then fry. Voila vegan hot dogs that taste delicious!
Serve them in hot dog buns, or you could even try them in milk rolls or fun bread shapes!
Get the recipe
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you!
Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #veggiedesserts.
Lentil Carrot Veggie Hot Dogs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) dried red lentils rinsed
- 3 cups (700ml) vegetable stock
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 onion finely diced
- 2 carrots (125g) grated
- 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- 1 + ¼ cups (150g) plain (all purpose) flour
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the lentils in the stock for 10 minutes or until tender, then drain.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat, then add the onion and sautee for a few minutes until translucent but not browned. Add the grated carrot and sautee for 3-5 minutes until soft.
- Add the cooked lentils, carrot mixture, spices, salt and pepper to a food processor and whiz until it’s thick and well combined.
- Tip the mixture into a bowl and mix in 3 tablespoons of the flour. Add more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until a thick and manageable consistency. You may not need all of the flour.
- Roll into hot dog-like shapes, place on a plate, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a frying pan over a medium/low heat and add some of the hot dogs. Fry, gently turning often, until golden. Repeat in batches.
- Serve in a hot dog bun.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Manuh
I've not made these yet but will do a trial run for a vegetarian friend I'll have over on the weekend. For a lentil veggie burger I tried, I read a comment that adding cooked pasta to the lentils below blending can really help with keeping the shape. worked beautifully for the burhers. I will try that here at well.
Ray J
I would appreciate it if the moderator would stop deleting my negative comment. I like the idea but I tried two times to make this and in both cases the mixture was a wet mess that could not be shaped in anyway.
Sasha
We had the same issue. We added more flour and they just tasted like dough then 🙁
RJ
I really like the idea, but I tried 2 times and the recipe did not turn out well either time. In both cases the mixture in no way resembled anything shape-able. The first time I used split red lentils, and I think I overcooked them / used too much liquid. But the second time I used canned brown lentils, which are more firm and less liquidy, and I had the same problem. Adding more flour only made it taste like flour. Too bad. Maybe if I baked the lentils to dry them out it would work better but not sure it's worth another effort.
Mer
I replaced the carrots with green peas (which I had leftover from dinner) and used green lentils. I did fry them. Tasty with BBQ sauce.
spencer
these look amazing and i’m excited to try, but i was wondering why red lentils? only ask because i have green right now and just want to save myself a trip to the store if i can 😅
Kate Hackworthy
Hi, green work too! You'll likely just need to cook them a bit longer and check on them.
mimi
A recipe definitely worth keeping. Nice taste. They also hold their shape once in the frying pan and in the bun.
Pongodhall
Wonderful recipe and tasty, healthy sausages to expand my repertoire. Thank you 💐
Ben Myhre
I am not a vegetarian or a vegan, but I will always try food like this. This has such good flavor! Thanks for sharing and putting in the work to bring this recipe to us.
Michelle
This was perfect! We recently switched to a vegetarian diet and my daughter used to love hot dogs, I'm not keen on the processed veggie options so I suprised her with these! Great!
Rona
As carrots are different sizes, how many grams would you need for this recipe please
Kate Hackworthy
Hi, it's 125g. I've updated the post!
Zee
Excellent recipe! These are easy to make and taste great =)
Lauren Vavala
This is such a unique recipe! I've had veggie dogs but now I loved to make my own - great recipe!
Charlie
Hi, could I cook these in the oven instead of frying, for a healthier version? Thanks
Kate Hackworthy
Hi, that should work fine, but I haven't tried it. Perhaps at 200C/400F or a bit cooler and keep checking on them as I'm not sure how long for. Maybe 30 minutes? Please let me know how you get on with them in the oven!
Angela R
Really good. Tried these for dinner because my daughter is now vegetarian. We all really liked them. They're not the same as meat hot dogs but tasted very good as veggie dogs. I liked the texutre.
Naga
I was looking for this. My dude lives hotdog but he has gone vege with me. Will definitely try.
Taylor W.
Such a creative recipe! Perfect for meatless Monday!
Mandi
Can you freeze these cooked? Just would make prep easier to have some to just pull out and warm in the oven. Thanks.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
These look so delicious, I definitely need to give these a try with the kids!
Eva Katona
I love all the food you create - you have fantastic recipes! But this is something I was actually looking to make for a long time but I oculdn't find a good recipe for this. Will try it on the weekend.
Emily Leary
These look delicious!! I had no idea you could make lentil hot dogs like this. I need to give it a go.
Kathy
I can't wait to try these!! I haven't had hotdogs for so long as the vegetarian ones aren't gluten-free.
Kara
These look like the perfect winter warmer for firework night
Rhian westbury
These look really tasty and much like a meat hot dog. I bet the lentils and carrots gave it a good texture x
Elizabeth
Those are super clever! I bet they're much better than those carrot veggie dogs I've seen out there. Genius!
Rebecca Smith
This sounds absolutely delicious. I definitely need to give these a try
Charli
These sound utterly delicious! I love using lentils as a meat substitute but I've never thought of blending them before.
C x
Lola
Love this combo for a healthy Veggie Dog. What do you think would have if the wheat flour was substituted for oat flour? Or a mix of oat and coconut flour perhaps? Any recommendations for an alternative to wheat flour? Sorry if this has already been answered. Thanks for the inspiration!
Kate Hackworthy
Hi, either of those should work. You may need a little more or less, so add less than the required amount and add more if needed to make it workable but not too stiff.
Dems Banjo
Wow! this looks good and healthy. I am going to try it out, though my children may not like it. Thanks for the recipe.
Nichole
How long do these last in the fridge or freezer? About to make a batch of these. Can't wait to try them!!!
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Nichole, they should be fine in the fridge for 3 days and in the freezer for a month.
I hope you enjoy them!
Kate 🙂
Barb
We enjoyed your recipe after lots of looking this was the simplest using real ingredients. My daughters favorite food is lentils. So I knew she would approve. We used lots more spice than you called for. But that might just be our tastes. We live in Wisconsin. We are pretty serious about our dogs! Pics etc https://www.facebook.com/741558457/posts/10155855318448458/
Kate Hackworthy
I'm so pleased that you like the recipe! Thanks for sharing pictures of it 🙂
Anthony Osude
My girlfriend has become vegetarian recently and this went down a treat. Thanks for sharing.
Jack Smith
I will give this a try. I going to see if I can fool my kids. thanks
Kate Hackworthy
I hope they enjoy them!
Teri Stephens
This is so creative, and I bet they taste delicious. Fun way to get the young ones to embrace the veggies. Great pics, too.
Juli
I want to reach through the screen. This lentil carrot hotdogs sound so good. I have all of the ingredients, I am going to make these for my kiddos this evening. pinning!
Carlee
They really do look delicious and so much healthier than the real thing. They'd be fun to try!
georgie
what a creative recipe! I'm always looking for new vegetarian ideas! must try this!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
I have to say that this recipe really intrigues me. Mainly because I do not like hot dogs. I bet I would love this though, so I'm going to make them two ways - one with the paprika and garlic powder and one without. As I do not want it to mimic a hot dog for me. I really am looking forward to trying your recipe. They look fun to eat and I miss eating hot dog buns!