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?

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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 tofu made from chickpeas? ›

Unlike regular tofu, which is made from soybean curd, Burmese tofu (or shan tofu) is a staple of the Shan people in eastern Myanmar. It combines water, chickpea flour, and salt (often also with turmeric). However, there are also versions using whole chickpeas (both methods included below!) too.

Is chickpea tofu better 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? ›

Ready to try your first high protein soy-free tofu?
  • High Protein Chickpea Tofu.
  • Fava Bean Tofu.
  • Yellow Pea Tofu.
  • Green Pea Tofu.
  • Pigeon Pea Tofu.
  • High Protein Red Lentil Tofu.
  • Pumpkin Seed Tofu.
  • Hemp Heart Tofu.
Sep 25, 2023

What is the name of the Burmese tofu? ›

Shan tofu (also known as chickpea tofu) is a Burmese dish that comes from the Shan State in Myanmar. Yellow in color, this “tofu” is very easy to make and can be served in many ways. Many recipes for this chickpea tofu use only chickpea flour, water, salt, and occasionally turmeric for color.

Why do vegans love chickpeas? ›

Chickpeas—also known as garbanzo beans—are loaded with heart-healthy fiber and contain a number of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals too. In addition, their high protein content makes them a valuable alternative for those that follow vegetarian and vegan diets.

Is tofu or chickpeas healthier? ›

Nutrition Comparison: Tofu Vs Chickpeas

Tofu has 6.7 times less sugar than chickpea, and it has signficantly less carbohydrates than chickpea. Chickpea is a great source of potassium. Chickpea is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Both tofu and chickpeas are high in calcium, iron and protein.

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 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.

Which tofu is best for weight loss? ›

Firmer tofu offers more protein for more calories, while softer tofu, such as silken, will be lower in calories and lower in protein (40 calories and four grams of protein).

Can I eat tofu if I'm allergic to soy milk? ›

People with a soy allergy should not consume soy milk, soy yogurt or ice cream, edamame, miso, tempeh and tofu. Most individuals allergic to soy can safely consume highly refined soybean oil. Ask your allergist about avoiding this ingredient.

What can I use instead of dairy in tofu? ›

You can, of course, replace dairy milk with soy milk by picking up a bottle of Silk at the grocery store. But you can also puree a package of tofu in the blender with a cup and a half of water the create a high-protein, low-fat milk substitute for use in recipes. (Think alfredo sauce!)

What is dairy Free tofu? ›

In a process similar to that of making cheese, tofu is made by curdling soy milk, which comes from soybeans. The milk is coagulated with the use of taric acid or other food acids, and then pressed into bricks. As this process contains no animal byproducts, neither does tofu, meaning tofu itself completely vegan.

Where did Burmese tofu come from? ›

The dish has been a staple in Burmese culture for years, originating in the Shan State of Myanmar (it's also known as Shan tofu). Unlike panelle, a Sicilian crispy, fried fritter created using a similar technique, Burmese tofu is silky, creamy, and smooth.

Is Franklin Farms chickpea tofu gluten free? ›

The new product is plant-based, vegan, non-GMO, cholesterol free, gluten free, kosher, and soy free.

What is tofu made out of? ›

Tofu is made from dried soybeans that are soaked in water, crushed, and boiled. The mixture is separated into solid pulp (okara) and soy “milk.” Salt coagulants, such as calcium and magnesium chlorides and sulfates, are added to the soy milk to separate the curds from the whey.

What bean is tofu made out of? ›

Tofu is made from soymilk and a coagulant. Soymilk is made from soybeans and water. To make the soymilk into tofu, a coagulant like gypsum is added to make it curdle, and the resultant curd is strained and pressed.

Are chickpeas and soy the same thing? ›

Compared to soybean, chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) contains less protein (17–31 vs. 35 g/100 g) and fat (2.9–7.4 vs. 17 g/100 g) and higher carbohydrate (51–65 vs.

Is chickpea a soy bean? ›

Soybeans are classified as a legume. Other foods in the legume family are navy, kidney, string, black and pinto beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lentils, carob, licorice, and peanuts. Sensitivity to one legume can often be in association with sensitivity to another legume.

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