Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers with Crispy Panko Coating
These hearty vegetarian burgers combine roasted sweet potatoes with black beans for a satisfying plant-based patty that's crispy outside and tender inside. Seasoned with chili powder, lime zest, and garlic, these burgers offer a southwestern flavor profile that works perfectly for weeknight dinners or weekend barbecues. The panko coating creates an appealing golden crust when pan-seared and baked, making them sturdy enough to hold up on a bun with all your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven and spray parchment lined baking sheet with cooking spray
- 2
Mash baked sweet potatoes in large bowl until smooth
- 3
Add black beans and seasonings and stir to combine
- 4
Mix in egg whites and breadcrumbs until well incorporated
- 5
Scoop generous amounts of mixture and form into patties
- 6
Heat olive oil in large skillet and pan-sear both sides of each patty in batches
- 7
Transfer seared patties to prepared baking sheet
- 8
Bake until golden brown
- 9
Assemble burgers with arugula, avocado, tomato, cheese and bun
Tips
Make sure sweet potatoes are well-roasted and cooled before mashing to prevent soggy patties and easier handling.
Don't overmix the burger mixture as this can make the patties dense and tough.
Chill formed patties for 30 minutes before cooking to help them hold together better during pan-searing.
Good to Know
Refrigerate cooked patties up to 3 days in airtight container
Form patties up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate covered
Best served immediately while warm and crispy
Common Mistakes
Don't skip pan-searing step to avoid soggy texture
Ensure sweet potatoes are completely cooled to prevent mixture from becoming too wet
Substitutions
Vegan Options
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
FAQ
Can I freeze these burger patties?
Yes, freeze cooked patties up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat in oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
What if I don't have panko breadcrumbs?
Regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers work fine. You can also pulse rolled oats in food processor for gluten-free option.
How long do leftovers keep?
Store cooked patties in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in skillet with little oil or in oven to restore crispiness.