Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (2024)

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Make your own Chickpea flour Tofu. 10 min Non soy tofu made with Chickpea flour or Besan / gram flour. Easy Homemade Burmese tofu. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Tofu Nut-free Recipe. Pin this post!Jump to Recipe

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (1)

Burmese (chickpea) tofu is made by cooking split pea flour or chickpea flour and water batter until it thickens and can set. One of the other methods is to soak the split chickpeas, blend and use that batter. I make my chickpea tofu with chickpea flour and with less liquid so it isa sturdier, and quick version of Burmese tofu. This recipe makes about 2.5 to 3 cups cubed tofu which can be stored for a few days refrigerated.

The tofu can also be made with Chickpea flour (which is ground garbanzo beans (white chickpeas), pure besan / gram flour (which is flour of brown chickpeas (kala chana) or split brown chickpeas (chana dal)), or mixed flour besan which can have 2 different types of chickpea / split pea flour, or yellow split pea flour. Each of the flours need different amounts of liquid. Besan (gram flour) is also ground finer than white chickpea flour. Because of these differences, chickpea flour generally makes a thicker batter and needs more water to achieve the similar consistency as besan batter if the recipe was written with besan. Besan will need less liquid to make an equally sturdy tofu as Chickpea flour tofu. The tofu recipe below made with any of the flours, without adjusting the recipe will still be usable wherever needed. Depending on the flour used, the resulting tofu cubes might be soft or firm. Use less water for firmer and more water for softer chickpea tofu.

Chickpea flour is mixed with water to form a smooth batter. The batter thickens into a thick custard like consistency which sets and can be easily sliced. I use these properties of chickpea flour in many recipes, like this nut-free Nacho cheese slice, these chickpea flour pasta noodles and more.

This recipe is adapted from the spiced chickpea tofu in my book. You can use it as a substitute for soy tofu in many recipes. It does well in curries, tossed in dressing, in wraps, salads, also makes a great morning scramble, or egg salad!, breaded tofu etc. It also sticks to the pan like regular tofu while stir frying, if your pan isnt good ;).

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (2)

Made these Buffalo Tofu Wraps with Chickpea flour tofu tossed in buffalo hot sauce.

More chickpea flour recipes from the blog

  • Chickpea flour Pancakes – Indian Chilla
  • Veggies in Chickpea flour Sauce- Sindhi Kadhi
  • Besan Burfi – Chickpea flour fudge with condensed non dairy milk
  • Fluffy chickpea flour Omelet

This tofu might not absorb marinades as quickly. So I generally prefer to flavor the tofu itself while making it. Mix in herbs, spices and flavors into the batter before cooking it. That way the tofu is already infused with a profile depending on where you are using it. I usually add garam masala and cayenne when using in curries and some soy sauce and lemon when adding to asian fusion, some italian herb blend for other uses like a mashed up marinated tofu salad.

Blend the chickpea flour water and spices into a smooth batter. Cook over medium heat. the batter will start to get lumpy after a minute or so.

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (3)

Keep stirring frequently. The batter will eventually thicken evenly and become custard like.

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (4)

Cook for another 2 minutes so the chickpea flour is cooked through. You can taste the mix carefully at this point to ensure that the chickpea flour doesnt taste raw and adjust salt if needed. the mixture will also start to come away from the pan.

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (5)

Transfer the custard to a parchment lined container. Cool for 10 minutes then refrigerate for about an hour.

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (6)

Remove from parchment, cube and use.

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (7)

Keep refrigerated for upto 4 days.

Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (8)

Recipe Card

Chickpea Flour Tofu Recipe

Chickpea flour Tofu. 10 min Non soy tofu made with Chickpea flour or Besan / gram flour. Easy Burmese tofu. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Nut-free Recipe. Makes about 3 cups of cubed chickpea tofu.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

Total Time15 minutes mins

Course: how to

Cuisine: fusion

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 117kcal

Author: Vegan Richa

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup (120 g) chickpea flour/ garbanzo bean flour use 1 1/4 cup besan/ gram flour
  • 1/2-3/4 tsp (0.5 tsp) salt
  • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) turmeric optional, for color
  • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) cumin or garam masala optional
  • 1 3/4 cup (437.5 ml) water

Instructions

  • Grease a bread pan or line with parchment and keep ready. (9 by 5 rectangle or any similar rectangle or smaller square pan).

  • In a bowl whisk all the ingredients under chickpea tofu until there are no lumps, or use a blender..(or you can add the ingredients directly to the pan and whisk to combine). I use a blender for quick and smooth batter.

  • Pour the chickpea flour mixture into a deep saucepan. Cook over medium heat. Stir continuously. The mixture will start to get lumpy as the pan heats up (see video) and then thicken evenly and considerably. 4 to 5 mins.

  • Once the mixture is evenly thick and stiff, keep cooking for another 2 minutes so the chickpea flour gets cooked through. Also tap the spoon or spatula to drop the mixture stuck to it to the pan. If the mixture is starting to brown, reduce the heat to medium low. You can taste test the mixture at this point carefully, to ensure that there is no raw chickpea flour flavor and adjust salt if needed.

  • Pour the mixture into the prepared loaf pan or parchment and even it out using a spatula or another parchment if needed. Let it cool, then refrigerate for atleast an hour to set.

  • Remove the set slab from the pan. Slice into cubes. Store in an airtight container refrigerated for upto 4 days. The tofu can leak some moisture while it sits. drain and use.

Video

Notes

Variations: Use vegetable stock instead of water.
Add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor or other herbs and flavors of choice.

To use in stir fries or curries: Crisp in a tsp of oil until golden on some edges. (see this recipe).

Nutrition is for 1 serve

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chickpea Flour Tofu Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 117Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Sodium 315mg14%

Potassium 253mg7%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 6g12%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 1.6mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Did you make this recipe?Please do leave a comment and rating below.. Tag me on Instagram @veganricha

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  1. ucity88

    How do I make this extra firm? And, can it be frozen?

    Reply

    • Richa

      Use the method from my instant pot cookbook. That yields extra firm chickpea tofu. The current version is firm. Yes it can be frozen

      Reply

  2. Robin

    Hi there! This sounds great! If I decide to make it with nutritional yeast, how much would you suggest I add? Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Richa

      1-2 tbsp

      Reply

  3. Megan

    Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (10)
    First time trying chickpea tofu, surely won’t be the last. So easy and versitile.

    Reply

    • Vegan Richa Support

      Nice!

      Reply

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Chickpea flour Tofu - Soy-free Tofu Recipe - Vegan Richa (2024)

FAQs

Is chickpea tofu healthier than soy tofu? ›

Given that soy-free tofu is primarily made with chickpea flour and water, you can expect the nutrition to be fairly advantageous. Like soy-based tofu, this varietal is naturally gluten-free. It's also very low in total fat and contains no saturated or trans fats.

What is a soy-free alternative to tofu? ›

The most common recipe for soy-free tofu is chickpea flour-based Shan tofu. Chickpea flour is simply finely ground dried chickpeas, and, thanks to its use in gluten-free baking, it is now fairly easy to find in grocery stores.

Can you substitute chickpea flour for soy flour? ›

Chickpea flour and soy flour can be used interchangeably in many recipes, especially those that require a gluten-free alternative. Chickpea flour is a great option for savory dishes such as falafel, socca, or vegetable fritters. It can also be used as a binder in veggie burgers or as a coating for fried foods.

Is soy-free tofu healthy? ›

Unlike tofu that is made from soybeans, the Soy-Free Tofu contains no carbohydrates or fat, making it a great option for those looking to reduce their intake of these macros.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

Is chickpea tofu good for weight loss? ›

Due to their high-fiber and protein content, chickpeas are excellent for weight loss diets because they keep you fuller longer and control appetite.

What to avoid when going soy-free? ›

If your child is allergic to soy, the following ingredients should be avoided: hydrolyzed soy protein, miso, soy sauce, soy flour, soy grits, soy nuts, soy milk, soy sprouts, soy protein concentrate, soy protein Isolate, soy sauce, tempeh, textured vegetable protein (TVP).

How can a vegan get protein without soy? ›

  1. Beans and Lentils. Beans and Lentils are perhaps the most crucial parts of your vegan diet. ...
  2. Quinoa. Here's a fact for you, most plant-based foods aren't considered complete proteins meaning they lack some of the essential amino acids however quinoa is a complete non-soy vegan protein. ...
  3. Nuts. ...
  4. Chia Seeds. ...
  5. Hemp.
Oct 15, 2021

Can you be vegan without eating soy? ›

Soy is nutritious and versatile, making it a popular choice for vegans. But if you're allergic or intolerant, there are still plenty of options for you as a vegan without soy. For many vegan brands, soy is a go-to ingredient.

Is chickpea flour just ground up chickpeas? ›

Chickpea flour is known as garam flour or garbanzo bean flour and it is made by grinding dried chickpeas. A staple in Indian and Pakistani cuisine, chickpea flour is commonly found in Asian and Middle Eastern groceries, but you can also make it yourself at home with a spice grinder or coffee grinder.

What is the difference between pea flour and chickpea flour? ›

Pasting properties of both the flour of legumes were significantly different (P < 0.05). Chickpea flour had a lower pasting temperatures and the peak, final, and setback viscosities than dried green pea flour. These characteristics seem to be related to the increased fat content of chickpea flour than green pea flour.

Is chickpea flour better for you than white flour? ›

Chickpea flour is full of healthy nutrients. It's a great alternative to refined wheat flour, as it's lower in carbs and calories yet richer in protein and fiber. Research suggests that it may have antioxidant potential and could decrease levels of the harmful compound acrylamide in processed foods.

Can you make tofu without soy? ›

Chickpea Tofu; A Flavorful, Soy-Free Tofu Alternative

This chickpea tofu (also called Burmese tofu) is simple to make, unprocessed, and can be prepared in two ways. Both are packed with protein and fiber. This isn't the first time I've used pulse flour as a vegan alternative.

What is the healthiest form of tofu? ›

Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

What is a vegan alternative to soy? ›

If you're looking to replace the protein that soy delivers, legumes may be your solution. Black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, and lentils are filling and nutrient-rich ingredients that can be incorporated into salads, soups, or into mains like burritos and nachos.

Is chickpea better than soybean? ›

In this sense, due to its lower lipid content (up to twenty-one-fold less) compared to that of soybean, chickpea stands out as a good option in weight management. Furthermore, the content of insoluble fiber in chickpea is comparable or even higher than that of soybean.

What type of tofu is better? ›

In general, I find that firm and extra-firm tofu are the most useful because they're versatile. They hit the tofu texture sweet spot—soft enough to absorb flavor but hardy enough to be cooked without risk of falling apart. Do note that some firm tofu, like House Foods', skews soft, more like medium-firm.

Which tofu is best for weight loss? ›

3.5 oz of firm tofu has 78 calories, and silken tofu has 55 calories. Soft soy tofu with lecithin is ranked second with 61 Calories, but all of those are less than many animal protein options, which usually clock in at 140-200 calories for 3.5-oz servings.

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