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HI!
There, I wrote the first word. That’s ALWAYS the hardest for me.
Funny random thing, I was talking to my mom the other day (cause apparently she’s the only person I ever physically talk to). I forget exactly what we were even talking about, I was probably rambling and or ranting about something, and then I ended my question by saying out load, “question mark”.
Just in case you are confused, here is an example, “what kind of ice cream would you like, question mark”. I am pretty sure that this can only mean a few things. One, I am talk texting into my phone way too much (which by the way, NEVER gets what I am actually trying to say…people hate texting me). Two, I am writing too many emails, and when I type things on the computer, I always say comma, period and question mark in my head every time they are needed (yeah, I’m not the best with spelling an punctuation). Three, I am just not getting enough sleep! OR… it could be that I no longer physically talk to people, I just text and email them!
The point is that I actually said the words question mark out loud at the end my question, that’s just semi loony! I mean, where the heck is my head?? Question mark, question mark???
Ahh, wait, my heads probably still with these sunflower seed veggie burgers. I kind of cannot stop thinking about them.
I mean, sunflower seeds?? Halloumi?? Tahini?!?!? Like so much yes to them all, but especially that tahini sauce. Tahini sauce should probably go on just about everything you make from here on out. Boring salads no more!!
No but, seriously, just like all my other veggie/bean based burgers, I am crazy in love with these guys. My dad and I like them better than their meaty look-a-likes. I know, I know. What?!?
I totally admit it, I love veggie burgers way more than meaty ones. It’s just the truth and the same goes with my dad…which is kind of the reason I made these burgers. With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, and me not knowing what to get my dad, who honestly does everything for me – and then some, I figured I at least better come up with a good meal.
My brother Kai and his girlfriend Caitlin will be here (yeah!! I’ve been missing him), so there will definitely be some meat, but veggies burgers all around for those who care about them!! Those who care about them being my parents and I. Well, my brother Brendan too, he’s my only brother who truly appreciates really good food, not just meat and potatoes, but unfortunately, he’s rarely around, he and Red are quite the gypsies with all their snowboard travels.
So anyway, this is one of those recipes where the name (sunflower seed burger) came into my head first and from there, the recipe just kind of came into its own. I knew from the start that halloumi needed to be involved. I am semi obsessed with that cheese right now, and I LOVE throwing it on the grill (or in a skillet), so it’s perfect for these burgers!
But then I thought, there needs to be something saucy since there is no melty cheese and the burgers don’t give off any juice, that’s when the tahini happened. Not going to lie, the tahini is my favorite part. So good.
The burgers are really pretty simple to make. I used my favorite base recipe and pretty much just added toasted sunflower seeds. I swear though, the sunflower seeds make all the difference. SO GOOD.
Oh, and oh my gosh, I almost forgot about the sweet potato straws. These are truly SO good. The straws you see in the photos are actually carrots because white sweet potatoes were accidentally bought and I really wanted a good pop of color, so carrots it was. They actually worked great though, so really you can use carrots or sweet potatoes. Whatever you do, just make them. They add such great texture!
If you would like to grill these burgers, I recommend pre cooking them in the oven for 10 minutes or so, just to make sure they really stay together on the grill.
You can also freeze them for an easy de-thaw and cook meal. COOL!
Sunflower Seed Veggie Burgers with Fried Halloumi + Curried Tahini Sauce.
Servings: 5 Burgers
Calories Per Serving: 989 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Burgers
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup sunflower seeds lightly toasted + cooled
- 1 cup cannellini beans finely mashed
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs use gluten free bread crumbs if needed
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 of your [favorite burger buns | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/everything-bagel-slider-buns/]
- 8 ounces Halloumi sliced
Crispy Sweet Potato Straws
- 2 medium sweet potatoes OR 6 large carrots
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil melted
- 1 teaspoon spicy curry powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Tahini Sauce
- 1/2 cup tahini sesame seed paste
- 1-2 teaspoon thai red curry paste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- water to thin
- sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the quinoa, sunflower seeds, mashed cannellini beans, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, chipotle chile powder, salt and pepper. Mix well to moisten the ingredients and then form into 4 or 5 equal burger patties (I made 5). Place on a plate and put in the fridge.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Slice the sweet potatoes into 1/8 inch thick straws or use a mandolin slicer and do the same. Place the straws on a baking sheet and toss them with the melted coconut oil, curry powder, salt and pepper - toss well. Divide the straws between two baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, toss, and then bake another 15-20 minutes more or until the edges just begin to crisp.
- To make the tahini sauce, add the tahini, curry paste, maple syrup, lemon juice and soy sauce to a bowl. Add a few tablespoons of water and mix until smooth and combined, if needed, add more water to thin. Top with sesame seeds.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Grab the burgers and cook until golden and crisp, about five minutes per side.
- Once the burgers are finished, remove and place on plate. Next add a drizzle more of olive oil to the skillet and once hot, add the Halloumi slices. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until lightly golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Spread the bottom of each bun with the tahini sauce, top with a burger and fried Halloumi and crispy sweet potatoes. Add the top bun. Serve with more tahini sauce. Enjoy!!
Healthy, summer comfort food? I think, yes!
Made these tonight, and I have to say, they’re probably the best veggie burgers I’ve ever made, and were really well received. I didn’t use halloumi because my store doesn’t carry it, but I didn’t miss it…the flavors of the tahini sauce and the sweet potato straws were insanely good. Good stuff, Tieghan.
Hi Tieghan,
I emailed before saying I was making these burgers and the one-skillet lasagne this week. Well I have done both but will put lasagne comment on that recipe. These were absolutely delicious. I could not get quinoa at the shop I went to so I used rice. It will be even nicer with quinoa as it will be a smoother mix. Flavours are lovely, we really loved the tahini sauce. I spiralized carrots, put the glaze on then burnt them! So we just had fresh spiralised carrot, tomatoes and lettuce instead. Had leftovers cold in a sandwich with the tahini sauce and ketchup!
YAY!! SO happy it worked well and tasted good!! Thank you so much for making and commenting Liz!!
Hey Liz! Sorry for the trouble cooking the lentils. I will adjust the recipe to make it an accurate cooking time. So happy you loved both recipes, thank you!!
This was absolutely delicious! The whole family loved them. The only thing I changed was the sauce- didn’t have most of the ingredients on hand so I made an avocado spread instead. Your recipes never fail! Thank you!!!
YAY! So happy to hear that! Avocado spread sounds delish!! Thank you!
Hi Tieghan,
This recipe looks amazing I’m going to try it – my BF and I don’t eat meat and burgers are his fave meal so I’m always looking for new yummy veggie burger recipes!
One question. We have green curry paste open in the fridge, not red. Do you think that would work ok in the tahini sauce?
Hey Vanessa!
I have not tried that, but I think it will work just fine!! Let me know if you have questions. THANKS!
So I had to look up all of your burgers, because I am craving a burger likewoah and I am not about to just go grab one from a drive-thru window (those have their place, assuredly, but considering I have not had a burger in way too long, I want my next one to be something amazing, therefore I turn to you). And strangely enough I was JUST thinking last night while peeling carrots for a slice ‘n’ roast, “I wonder if these peelings could be crisped up in the oven and used for something, rather than simply putting them in the compost or using them to make veggie stock”.
Do you think peelings would be a bit too thin for making these straws? Perhaps spiralized carrots would work well?
Carrots will work great! I have done that before with awesome results!
Tieghan…these are absolutely positively the VERY BEST burgers EVER!!! My husband and I don’t eat meat…or any sort of animal…and have not found a veggie burger we truly loved…until now!!!! You’re so great…love looking at your videos and blog!!! Thanks a bunch! Lisa
Thank you so much!!! So happy you love these burgers! 🙂
Thanks and have a great Easter weekend!
Hi. These sounds delicious. I’m thinking about subbing the cannellini beans for black beans, mainly because I have them on hand. What do you think? Anyone else done this?
I think that will be great! 🙂
These are my favorite veggie burgers! I’ve made them twice now, and my super carnivorous boyfriend actually requested them the second time. Amazing recipe!!
I am a foodie and know about a variety of unusual ingredients that most people have no clue what things are……..but surprisingly I never heard of halloumi. What is it? and where did it originate? What type of stores would I might find it at?
Really?? It’s a cheese used into a lot Middle Eastern, Indian and Greek cooking. It is a lot like feta, but it stays firm when cooked. I find mine in my grocery store, so I think you should be able to find it in yours too. Let me know if you have any other questions, Thanks!
omg these burguers look insaneeely delicious!!!
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Thank you so much, Anna! Hope you had a great weekend!
Sitting here on a Friday night trying to decide what to make for family this weekend and I come across this beautiful veggie burger. I must admit, I too love veggie burgers as they can offer so much flavor and texture. Will def be giving this recipe a try!
Thanks Jessica!! Hope you love the burgers!! 🙂
The truth is, a veggie never tempts me. But you, you my girl got that burger in my wish list. Have to try to recreate it, if I can. lovely flavor choice.
Oh god.. now this is a burger! And the fact that they are vegetarian makes the recipe even better. Love it.
I can’t say that I like veggie burgers more than beef burgers, but I DO love a good veggie burger…always. These look phenomenal Tieghan, and of course, that grilled halloumi..yes.
Thank you so much, Nicole! Hope you are having a great week! 🙂
These look great! Always on the hunt for a good veggie burger recipe that will fool my boyfriend into eating vegetarian (and actually enjoying it). This one looks like it may do the trick! Especially with that sauce and crispy straws. Yum!
Thanks Amanda!! I have a feeling you will love this burger!! 🙂