1-Ingredient Red Lentil Tortillas {Grain-Free, Vegan}

Utterly amazing 1-ingredient red lentil tortillas that are naturally grain-free, oil-free & vegan. You only need red lentils (plus some tap water and salt). 

Mondays need some “wow.” And do I ever have some!

First, a question: do you have some split red lentils in your pantry?

If yes, and so long as you also have some water and salt in the house, you have everything you need to make my (and, soon to be, your) favorite new recipe: Red Lentil Tortillas.

Simply Amazing 1-Ingredient Red Lentil Tortillas

I am crazy about these tortillas. Their flavor is a cross between a corn and a flour tortilla, which tastes delicious and delectable with any topping or filling (savory or sweet) you can imagine.

They are tender, too. Despite having no added oil, they are very pliable, so bend, fold or roll them for tacos, wraps, roll-ups, enchiladas and more. They are hearty, to boot: these are not crepes posing as tortillas, they pass California and Tex-Mex muster as true tortillas.

What Makes these Tortillas So Nutritious

Because of the singularity of ingredients (red lentils), these tortillas are naturally:

• Grain-free
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Oil-free
• Sugar-free

At the same time, they are very high in fiber (7 grams per tortilla!), high in protein (6.5 grams per tortilla), and offer 10% of your daily iron needs.

As promised, WOW!!!

How to Make the Tortilla Batter

Now, allow me to share a few visuals for making these super-power tortillas. They are quite easy to prepare, but different from traditional tortilla or crepe recipe methods. I want to make these as easy for you as possible for your first run-through.

First, rinse 1 cup of the lentils under cold water, and then combine with 2 cups of water in a bowl or other container. Loosely cover and let stand, at room temperature, for at least 6 hours or up to 12 hours. (Update: Several readers have informed me that they have left the lentils soaking in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.)

The lentils will get very plump with the absorbed water, and there is still water at the bottom of the bowl (Update: do not worry about how much or how little water remains after soaking; just be sure that you do not drain the lentils.)

Now, add the whole shebang (soaked lentils and remaining water in the bowl) to a blender (preferable) or food processor, along with the salt. Again, do not add more water! Blend on high speed until very smooth (no tiny bumps at all), stopping the blender once or twice to scrape down the sides. The batter should be lslightly fluffy, like so:

How to Cook 1-Ingredient Red Lentil Tortillas

It’s time to cook some tortillas!

I used a well-seasoned, cast-iron skillet to make the tortillas; it’s my favorite “non-stick” pan. You can also use another variety of nonstick pan, or make these on a nonstick griddle. You do not need to use nonstick spray, but if you like, add a spritz (or a quick wipe of oil) for peace of mind.

Heat the skillet over medium heat. Once warm, add 1/4 cup (60 mL) of batter to the center of the pan (the recipe yields 2 cups–500 mL)– of batter).

The batter is thick, so tilting the pan (as you would with a crepe) is not sufficient for spreading the batter. Instead, use the back of a metal spoon (I used a soup spoon) to spread the batter into a 6-inch (15 cm) circle.

Perfection is not Necessary

It does not need to be pretty! Also, as you can tell from the photo, there is no need to worry if the batter starts to set up as you are spreading. Not a problem. Simply keep spreading the wet batter into the circle shape, spreading over any set batter, if needed.

Cook the tortilla for about 1 to 1-1/2 minutes until the surface of the tortilla appears dry. Try sliding a spatula underneath the tortilla; once it glides under easily, go ahead and flip! Let the tortilla cook for another minute or so, to brown the other side.

That’s it! Cool the tortillas on a wire rack and repeat with the remaining batter.

I know you are going to love these tortillas every bit as much as I do. Happy eating, everyone, and have a grand Monday!

More Grain-Free & Vegan Tortillas to Love:

2-Ingredient Chickpea Flour Tortillas

3-Ingredient Sweet Potato Tortillas 

1-Ingredient Black Bean Tortillas

Grain-Free Spinach Tortillas {2 ingredients}

1-Ingredient Split Pea Tortillas

2-Ingredient Coconut Flour Tortillas