Healthy Lentil Bread Recipe
Lentil bread is one of the most popular and healthy vegan breads out there and in this article I’ll be sharing with you, how I turn simple lentil into some of the most enjoyable breads you can ever taste. And at the end you should be able to make your own lentil breads without much stress.
I like Lentils because they are affordable, filling, and packed with an immense amount of plant protein and fiber. When blended into a smooth batter and baked, they create a dense but tender bread. Lentil bread is not meant to replace a fluffy sandwich loaf, but rather to offer something more rustic and satisfying, perfect for everyday meals.
How to Make Lentil Bread at Home
Surprisingly, making lentil bread is much simpler than many people imagine. I mean, looking at lentils, you might not think it’s a great ingredient to be used for baking some vegan bread. If you want to embark on this easy lentil bread journey with me, then let’s proceed. Red lentils are my favorite choice because they soften easily and blend into a smooth consistency. You start by rinsing the lentils well and soaking them for a few hours. This step helps them blend more easily and improves the overall texture of the bread.
Once soaked, drain the lentils and add them to a blender along with water, a little oil, and your seasonings. Salt is essential, and from there you can add garlic powder, dried herbs, or nutritional yeast if you want a more savory loaf. A leavening agent like baking powder helps the bread rise just enough so it does not feel too heavy.
Blend everything until smooth, then pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan. The batter will be thicker than traditional bread dough, more like a thick cake batter. Bake until the top feels firm and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. After baking, let the loaf cool before slicing. This helps it set and makes cleaner slices.
The above is just a straightforward explanation, to get an easy step by step process, the below recipe card should do the job for you.
Healthy Lentil Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Mixing bowl
- Loaf pan (8 × 4 inch / 20 × 10 cm)
- Parchment paper or nonstick spray
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried red lentils rinsed and soaked for 3 hours
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or any neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder optional
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs rosemary, thyme, or oregano – optional
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast optional, for savory flavor
Instructions
Preheat
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Blend the batter:
- Drain the soaked lentils and add them to a blender with water, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar. Blend until completely smooth.
Mix dry ingredients:
- Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, garlic powder, herbs, and nutritional yeast to the blender. Blend briefly until combined.
Pour and smooth:
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake:
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool:
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely before slicing.
Obi
