Pinto Bean-Cheddar Patties Recipe

Pinto Bean-Cheddar Patties

Serves 6

30 minutes or fewer

30 minutes or fewer Coating these patties in breadcrumbs before cooking them in olive oil makes them nice and crisp on the outside. They are delicious with salsa and a green salad. If time is short, you can also make these with prepared dried breadcrumbs.

2 ½ cups fresh whole-grain breadcrumbs
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or soy cheddar cheese
2 Tbs. canned chopped green chiles
2 Tbs. olive oil plus more if needed

Preheat broiler. Place 1 1/2 cups of breadcrumbs on baking sheet, and toast under broiler for several seconds, or until browned. Remove; let stand 5 minutes.
Mash beans with fork in mixing bowl. Add cheese, chiles, toasted breadcrumbs, and salt and pepper to taste. Form mixture into 4 patties, about 3 inches in diameter. Dredge patties in untoasted breadcrumbs.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add patties, and cook until crisp and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes on each side; add more oil to pan if necessary. Serve hot.