Easy Lentil Tofu (Soy Free and SO GOOD!)

I often get requests for soy free tofu alternatives, so here's a recipe for red lentil tofu! It's easy to make, budget friendly, and of course, delicious!

You can season and cook this tofu however you want, so just imagine the possibilities! I love to air fry it.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below! Will you try this? It's definitely worth giving it a go.

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Red lentil 'tofu' (Makes 2-4 servings, 45g Protein per batch)
Ingredients:
1 cup dried red lentils
3 cups boiling water
3/4 tsp salt
optional: add any spice flavourings you like! I added 3/4 tsp garlic and 3/4 tsp onion powder.

Directions:
1. Rinse red lentils really well and place in a large pyrex container (or other glass bowl)
2. Add 3 cups of boiling water to rinsed lentils and cover. Let sit for 20 minutes.
3. Add mixture to a blender (do not drain off water!)
4. Add your favourite spices/seasonings and blend until smooth
5. Add the mixture to a a large saucepan and heat on medium heat, stirring constantly using a whisk. When it starts to thicken or bubble turn down to medium-low or low heat.
6. Keep stirring for a total of 7-10 minutes until mixture is very thick.
7. Once it is very thick remove from heat and immediately put the mixture directly into 8x8 glass container. Smooth top over with a spatula.
8. Place in the fridge for a couple hours to allow the mixture to cool and set. You can leave it overnight too! Once mixture is cool and set, remove from container and cut into cubes and cook like you would normal tofu! You can add marinade/sauce to the cubes or season with spices, whatever you want. I enjoy marinading or spicing up the cubes and air frying them. You can also stir fry them or bake in the oven. Enjoy!

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[mamakins]

I do something similar. I soak the red lentils, blend them like you did (although with less water) add baking powder and soda, black salt, turmeric, pepper and chopped veggies (bok choy, red pepper, onions etc). Pour in silicone muffin pan and bake. They are very dense. When I want to eat them I cut in half and pop them into the toaster! Eat ‘em right out of the toaster or put between toasted English muffin. I freeze them too. Makes for quick breakfast!

[kruzoniasworld]

This is Nigerian moi-moi but made using lentils. For moi-moi we use beans and for the best taste we use moi-moi leaf, banana or plantain leaf.

[blessedbyapollo]

Been vegan forever, worked in vegan cafes and seen it all but my mind is blown right now! Gratitude!

[mfu]

In Bengali culture, making "daler bori" with all kinds of pulses is a common practice. Bori is sun dried pulses paste mixed with salt/ spices and sometimes winter gourd and can be preserved for months. It can be lightly fried, and put into the gravy of any curry. It's fluffier than tofu and should taste much better.

[gypsywine]

I've been vegan for over 30 years, vegetarian for 20 before that. I love my own cooking and recipes but you have opened a whole new world to me. I'm gonna be upping my vegan meals from now on. Thank you

[darlenedevegan]

❤Just wanted to let you know I made my 2nd one almost immediately. I added The juice of a small lemon, Teaspoon of red chili powder, teaspoon of tumoric, and a thumb sized portion of red beat. It came out a beautiful color and the lemon gave it much more flavor. Also with that batch, I cut it up into one and a 1/2 inch French fry size pieces, put some oil, salt, pepper, garlic coder and onion powder Into the air fryer at 390 shaking it several times for approximately 9 to 12 minutes keep an eye. The best HEALTHY crunchy fries I have ever had thanks to you bringing light to this recipe! Way better than tofu krispies And super healthy as Lentils go!❤

[Lindyloo]

We tried this. It's just as easy as it looks on the video. Turned out fantastic. I thought it was gonna taste weird, but it was absolutely gorgeous. We did the salt& pepper with a little cajun and paprika. It's great because store bought tofu is really expensive here. I still have some leftovers, so I'm gonna try a marinade. I'm so impressed by the imagination being put into vegan cooking. I took a picture, but I don't think I can add it here.

[JaredWyns]

I made this and it's great! Also discovered it has the same consistency as potato, so I made red lentil fries! Just cut in strips shortways first, then down the middle longways. Afterwards, take stacks of 4 and cut each in half. Pre-salt, then air fry for 20-30 minutes and salt and shuffle midway. Excellent recipe! Same process applies to hashbrowns and anything else potato. This is amazing.

[sandychristiano]

I have been making and eating this for awhile now and really love it as a savory dish with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and liquid smoke. But today I tried it using cinnamon, allspice and good!!!! This is replacing my homemade soy tofu. It's so easy and quick to make and so delish!!! Thanks!!!

[bntravelin]

I make lentil patties . Soaked 2 hour, in food processor, add green onions, carrot, both lightly chopped In processor. Mix all together add parsley, onion powder, garlic powder. Make small patties into air fryer 12 min at 400f, flip at 6 min....

[sarahdee]

What I love is no straining OR pressing. Wonderful!

[tomiodaumit]

I started making this last year to replace the soy in my diet. After experimenting with the recipe, I add 2 tablespoons of nacho flavored nutritional yeast and 2 scoops of Naked Pea Protein to add more protein. It's fire.

[msashes]

We made this today!! I added too much garlic/onion powder.. but it still turned out pretty good!! We toasted it in a frying pan and dipped it in some sweet chilli sauce. it tasted like french fries!!

[FloofyPoofyFox]

That little slice you made off the end at 5:40 -- the colour and texture kinda reminded me of a hot-dog and now I'm really eager to try out Vegan hot-dogs with it! Lentils are tasty and I never thought to do this before!

[LLXLLA]

I made this with split peas following your exact procedure, it is delicious. Thank you

[asmrdreamland]

Hi Derek, I just finished making the “tofu” ….I mixed lentils with chickpeas….it came out so so yummy. Spice wise, I added marmite, paprika and nutritional yeasts….so freakn good !!, thank you for the idea !!! 🌷🌹🌷🌹

[KittForReal]

"Better the next day" 🙌🏽 It's a Godsend. Red lentils make a great pizza crust as well.

[NathanielJBurns]

The kitchen gods have smiled upon us yet again. 🙏🏼 thank you Derek for being the voice of vegan-food badassery.

[gayegerard]

I just made this using seasoning nutritional yeast, salt pepper and rosemary and dill it was amazing!!! So crunchy on the outside and soft inside. I am blown away. Way nicer than tofu, its more neutral I think. Thanks so much for this recipe. :)

[darlenedevegan]

ON MY 4TH BATCH!
Shared this tofu with my vegan friend and he loved it! Sent him your video.
❤ Seriously can't thank you enough because I was starting to get sick of tofu 😅