Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe {vegan + dairy free + gluten free} (2024)

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Looking for a soy free tofu? This vegan Burmese Chickpea Tofu (also called shan tofu) is an easyhomemade tofu recipe to make whichis a healthy and delicious source of protein.

Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe {vegan + dairy free + gluten free} (1)

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As a known tofu hating vegetarian you might be scratching your head wondering why I'm sharing a tofu recipe with you today.

I even wrote an entire vegan cookbook without using tofu one... single... time.

Well, you see, this Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe I'm about to share isn't really tofu.

Tofu is made from bean curd, however, Burmese tofu is made from beautiful nutty chickpea flour. Also calledchickpea tofu or shan tofu, it ismore similar to polenta than tofu, as I'll explain.

As a lover of chickpeas and chickpea flour I couldn't wait to give chickpea tofu a try after reading about it on Sarah Brinson's wonderful blog.

However, while Sarah's recipe is totally doable, I'm too impatient to leave the chickpea flour soaking for 12 hours and wait another 8 hours before eating it.

So I came across another recipe for Burmese tofu, which didn't require soaking and a long wait. I halved it and set about giving it a go.

If you've made polenta before, then the process is not too dissimilar.

Chickpea flour is whisked together with water and salt and added to a saucepan of boiling water and whisked until thick and glossy. Then it ispoured into a pan to set.

Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe {vegan + dairy free + gluten free} (2)

The tofu sets in about an hour and is soft and pillowy,with that slightly nutty chickpea flavour that I love.

The wonderful thing about this chickpea tofu recipe, apart from the fact that it's a wonderful soy free alternative to tofu, is that it is also budget friendly too.

Chickpea flour is relatively cheap especially if you are able to source itfrom an Indian grocer. (Or you can grab this one on Amazon!)

It is also extremely versatile too. Add it to salads, stir fries, soups. This soba mis soup is a great way to use chickpea tofu!

Anywhere you'd normally use tofu, you can use chickpea tofu instead.

I'm a little addicted to it at the moment, I've made 3 batches in the last 4 days, and have been having fun experimenting with it in the kitchen.

So tell me, have you ever tried chickpea tofu?

More Recipes

And if you love this Burmese Chickpea Tofu, be sure to try these other delicious ideas:

For more easy vegan cooking ideas, be sure to grab my free 5-day vegetarian meal plan. It's loaded with my favorite plant-based recipes, cheat sheets, and more.

Recipe

Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe {vegan + dairy free + gluten free} (3)

Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe (soy free tofu) {vegan + dairy free + gluten free}

Looking for a soy free tofu? This vegan Burmese Chickpea Tofu (also called shan tofu) is an easyhomemade tofu recipe to make whichis a healthy and delicious source of protein.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: dairy-free, Gluten free, Vegan

Keyword: Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe, Chickpea Tofu recipe, Delicious Everyday, soy free tofu

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 77kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chickpea flour garbanzo bean flour / besan flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground turmeric optional
  • 3 cups water divided
  • neutral flavoured oil such as canola, sunfower (safflower)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place the chickpea flour in a bowl along with the salt and turmeric (if using). Whisk to combine. Add 1 ½ cups of water and whisk until smooth.

  • Bring the remaining 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the chickpea flour and water mixture. Whisk over the heat until the mixture becomes really thick and glossy. This should take about 8 minutes.

  • Pour immediately into the prepared baking dish and leave to cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour. The longer it sits, the more water will drain out of the tofu and the firmer it will get.

  • Cut into whatever size and shape you like. This will depend on how you are going to use it. I cut it into 2 to 3 cm cubes. Store in an airtight container and use within 3 days. Some commenters have had success freezing it, but it is not something I have tried myself.

Notes

Very lightly adapted from this recipe which was sourced from The Burmese Kitchen: Recipes from the Golden Land

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSodium: 406mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

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Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe {vegan + dairy free + gluten free} (4)
Burmese Chickpea Tofu recipe {vegan + dairy free + gluten free} (2024)

FAQs

Is Chickpea Tofu good for you? ›

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. Exact amounts vary based on the recipe and ratio of chickpea flour to water, but expect the fat content to hover around a mere one to two grams per serving.

What is a good alternative to tofu for soy allergies? ›

But there are other tofus out there in the universe: Shan tofu, a Burmese preparation, made from chickpea flour; hemp tofu, which Vi Zahajszky made for this food blog back in 2012; peanut tofu, made in a similar manner to soy tofu; and a world of other tofu-like concoctions made from any bean you can think of.

What is the nutritional value of Burmese tofu? ›

3 oz of organic burmese tofu (Pacific) contains 70 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 66% carbs, 12% fat, and 22% protein. This has a relatively low calorie density, with 83 Calories per 100g.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Is chickpea anti inflammatory? ›

No, chickpeas aren't considered inflammatory. Most healthcare providers consider chickpeas to be an anti-inflammatory food. This means they can help fight harmful inflammation in your body. They're also high in fiber and a good source of protein.

How long does chickpea tofu last in the fridge? ›

Store: Store any leftover garbanzo tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days (dried chickpea tofu) or 3-5 days for chickpea flour tofu! Freeze: Out of the two methods, chickpea flour tofu is more freezer-friendly (texture-wise).

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 are the best beans for tofu? ›

Dried soybeans.

We'll use these to make homemade soy milk, which we will then transform into tofu. Use high-quality beans. Laura Brand Non-GMO Soybeans are my favorite.

What are three foods that a person with a soy allergy must avoid? ›

Avoid foods that contain any of these ingredients:
  • Hydrolyzed soy protein.
  • Miso.
  • Edamame.
  • Natto.
  • Soy albumin.
  • Soy cheese.
  • Soy fiber.
  • Soy yogurt.

How can a vegan get enough protein without soy? ›

Try swapping out meat for plant-based protein sources such as tofu, tempeh, beans, lentils, and chickpeas.

Why am I allergic to soy but not tofu? ›

On the other hands, patients with secondary soy allergy in adults, who have allergic reactions exclusively to soy milk, but not to tofu, are predominantly sensitized to Gly m 4 (PR-10), possibly due to the cross-reactive pollen allergens.

Is there anything unhealthy about chickpeas? ›

Risks. People should not eat raw chickpeas or other raw pulses, as they can contain toxins and substances that are difficult to digest. Even cooked chickpeas have complex sugars that can be difficult to digest and lead to intestinal gas and discomfort.

Is it OK to eat chickpeas everyday? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

Is it OK to eat tofu everyday? ›

Similarly, the American Cancer Society sees no dangers from eating soy. "For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said.

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