Spicy Black Bean Cakes

Crispy, zesty, and packed with plant-based protein, these Spicy Black Bean Cakes are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any meal. Made with a flavorful blend of mashed black beans, panko breadcrumbs, fresh cilantro, scallions, and bold spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder, these patties are bursting with Southwestern-inspired flavors. A quick chill in the fridge ensures they hold together perfectly, while pan-frying creates an irresistible golden crust. Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish, these patties are versatile enough to enjoy as a hearty appetizer, a meatless main course, or even tucked into a taco or burger bun. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, a drizzle of lime juice, or your favorite toppings for a dish that's as customizable as it is delicious. Perfect for fans of easy vegetarian recipes that don’t skimp on spice!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups (cooked, or 1 can drained and rinsed) Black beans
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large Egg
• 3 stalks Scallions (green onions), finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.75 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Lime juice
• 0.25 cup Olive oil or vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, mash the black beans with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth, leaving some texture for added bite.

Step 2

Add the panko breadcrumbs, egg, chopped scallions, minced garlic, cilantro, ground cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice to the mashed black beans.

Step 3

Mix everything thoroughly until well combined. The mixture should be moist but not overly sticky. If it’s too wet, add more breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon at a time.

Step 4

Using your hands, form the mixture into 8 evenly sized patties (about 2-3 inches wide and 0.5 inch thick). Place the patties on a plate and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to help them bind.

Step 5

Heat the olive oil or vegetable oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat.

Step 6

Carefully place the patties in the skillet, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Fry each patty for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden-brown and crispy.

Step 7

Transfer the cooked patties to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Step 8

Serve immediately with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or a fresh squeeze of lime juice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(692.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1187.2

Total Fat 73.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 10.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 219.5mg	0%
Sodium 3427.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 109.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.4g	0%
Total Sugars 9.2g
Protein 37.2g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 306.5mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 456.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.9%

Protein: 12.0%

Carbs: 35.1%