Skip to Content

Red Lentil Tortilla Chips {Grain-Free, Vegan}

2-Ingredient, crispy crunchy tortilla chips, made from red lentils! They are naturally grain-free, gluten-free, vegan, high-protein, and high-fiber.

When life gives you tortillas, and you live in Texas, you must make tortilla chips.

And that is exactly what I did with some of my red lentil tortillas from Monday’s post.

I made several batches, with and without spritzes of cooking spray, and at varying temperatures, ranging from 250F to 350F.

All of my results looked and smelled delicious. They also tasted dreadful. Think crun-chewy lentil jerky. While excellent for strengthening my jaw, they were definitively inedible.

I was not daunted! I knew exactly what my chips needed: fat. A light spray of oil on top wasn’t going to cut it: the fat needed to be in the tortillas from the start. So I made several mini batches of the tortillas, with varying amounts of oil, and tried the chip-making once again.

Eureka!

By replacing 2 tablespoons of water with oil (I used avocado oil, but use the oil you prefer), the chips were transformed from terrible to terrific. They are so delicious! Akin to corn tortilla chips, they are crispy, crunchy, and hearty, perfect for snacking solo or dunking into your favorite dip.

Make the lentil tortillas in the same manner as before, but use only 1 and 7/8 cups water instead of 2 cups to soak the 1 cup of lentils. When it is time to blend the batter, add those aforementioned 2 tablespoons of oil along with the salt.

Prepare and cool the tortillas, and then cut them into 8 equal wedges.

Arrange the wedges, in a single layer, on two parchment-lined baking sheets, and slide into the oven for a slow bake. I found 250F to be the perfect temperature for drying out and crisping the chips, without over-browning them, or worrying about burning. After 45 to 50 minutes, turn off the oven and let the chips remain in the oven for 15 minutes longer for final crisping.

Here are the results:

I hope that you are already imagining the different flavor possibilities (added to the blender when making the tortillas) for these chips. For example, fresh herbs (cilantro, parsley), rosemary (perhaps with olive oil as the oil), nutritional yeast & chili powder for a nacho cheese profile, garlic, or endless other options. Yes, please!

Happy munching, everyone!

 

Red Lentil Tortilla Chips {Grain-Free, Vegan}

Red Lentil Tortilla Chips {Grain-Free, Vegan}

Yield: 64 chips
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

2-Ingredient, crispy crunchy tortilla chips, made from red lentils! They are naturally grain-free, gluten-free, vegan, high-protein, and high-fiber.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup split red lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups water, less 2 tablespoons (1 and 7/8 cups total)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used avocado oil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Tortillas: Combine the rinsed lentils and water in a medium bowl or other container; loosely cover. Let stand, at room temperature, for at least 6 hours or up to 12 hours.
  2. Do not drain lentils.
  3. Add the entire contents of bowl (soaked lentils and remaining water), oil and salt to a blender or food processor, Blend on HIGH speed until completely smooth (no tiny bumps) stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides of container. The batter should look somewhat fluffy. Scrape into a bowl or measuring cup.
  4. Heat a nonstick skillet (well-seasoned cast iron skillet is ideal), or a nonstick griddle, to medium heat (no hotter).
  5. Once warm, add 1/4 cup of batter to the center of the pan (the recipe yields 2 cups of batter). Using a metal spoon, spread the batter into a 6-inch circle.
  6. Cook for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes until surface of tortilla appears dry. Slide a spatula underneath and flip. Cook about 1 minute longer to brown other side. Transfer to cooling rack and cool completely.
  7. Repeat with the remaining batter.
  8. Make the Chips: Preheat oven to 250F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  9. On a cutting board, evenly stack the tortillas. Cut the stack in half, and then in quarters. Cut the quarters in half, so that each tortilla yields 8 even wedges.
  10. Arrange wedges in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until chips appear dry and somewhat crisp. Turn off the oven; let chips remain in oven for 15 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let cool completely on baking sheets.

Notes

Storage: Store the cooled chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Tip: Split red lentils have become widely available in recent years. You can find them in most grocery stores, shelved alongside other dry beans and legumes. They are not expensive, either (about $2.50 for a 1-pound bag, depending on where you live).

Tip: Be sure to use split, not whole red lentils for this recipe. It should not be a problem as split red lentils are far more common (whole red lentils tend to be available in Southeast Asian markets, or, occasionally, in bulk food sections of very well stocked natural foods stores.

Nutrition Information
Serving Size 8 chips
Amount Per Serving Calories 127Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 0.5gCholesterol 0mgSodium 72.7mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 7gSugar 0.5gProtein 6.5g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @powerhungrycamilla on Instagram and hashtag it #powerhungrycamilla

 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Dor

Tuesday 30th of May 2023

Why can I use green lentils?

Camilla

Wednesday 7th of June 2023

Hi Dor! Did you mean to write "can't" instead of can? You can certainly try the recipe with green lentils, I have not tested it but it should work.

Tammy

Thursday 25th of May 2023

These are so good. Even my husband liked them. Thank you for sharing.

Camilla

Tuesday 30th of May 2023

Wonderful, Tammy! I am so glad that they were a success :)

Amanda

Tuesday 8th of November 2022

What am I doing wrong!?! I followed the instructions but my tortillas are not cooking properly. They just don’t seem to cook through. They stay mushy and just rip apart when I try and take them out of the pan.

Camilla

Thursday 10th of November 2022

Hi Amanda, Oh no, I am so sorry you are having issues with the recipe! This one is worth trying again, because I really think you will enjoy them once you get the hang of making them. It sounds like your tortillas may have been too thick.

Here is what I suggest: Spread the batter more thinly by pouring it into the middle of the pan and then moving it, with a spoon, to cover the pan (making the layer of batter thinner as you spread it). It is 100% fine if the batter sticks in some places as you move it out with the spoon. It is just bringing to cook in those spots. Just keep spreading! You can even add a few more spoonfuls of batter to sparse places if you spread it too thin. It will cook much faster when it is thinner and there will be zero mush. Do not try to flip the tortillas until it start to lift, without sticking, when you slide a spatula under it. I know you can do it, do not give up! These are so delicious, cheap and worth it. ?

Christina p.

Tuesday 22nd of March 2022

Hi i just stumbled on your site! Your Tortillas, and of course chips, and other clever recipes using beans and legumes seem quite genius. And I can't wait to get in the kitchen and try some hopefully all these recipes!I've been vegetarian for some years now and more recently eating more gluten free and vegan recipes I wish I had discovered your recipes sooner! Thx for all the leg work on these!

Camilla

Wednesday 23rd of March 2022

Thanks so much, Christina, and welcome! So happy that you found me :)

Lia

Tuesday 6th of July 2021

Such a delicious and easy healthy snack! Thanks for the great recipe!

Camilla

Monday 12th of July 2021

You are so welcome, Lia!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Skip to Recipe