Smoky Crumble
The rise of meat alternatives has made my heart flutter. I love seeing people incorporating animal-free ingredients into their lives! While the sustainability and compassion aspects of Impossible, Beyond, and other products are amazing, they leave much to be desired in the health department. Enter: Homemade Smoky Crumble. Made primarily from Lentils, Oats, and Walnuts, and spices, this mixture is truly a staple in my home.
When you make your own Smoky Crumble you can add it to so many meals to instantly upgrade the experience and taste! I’m looking at you lasagnas, tacos, pasta bolognese, scrambled tofu, sloppy joes, enchiladas, stuffed peppers, mac ‘n cheese, loaded potatoes and so much more!
Smoky Crumble
Makes 4 servings
Prep Time 15 minutes | Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup cooked French or Brown Lentils
3/4 cup Walnuts
1 1/2 tablespoons Onion Powder
1/2 tablespoon Garlic Powder
3 tablespoons Tomato Paste or Ketchup
1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke, or 1/2 tablespoon Smoked Paprika or Chipotle Powder
1 tablespoon Italian Spice Mix
1/4 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 cup Oat Flour (store bought or blend oats in a blender on high to make your own flour)
2 tablespoons Cilantro or Parsley
Optional stir in at the end: 1/4 cup Tomato Sauce, Buffalo or Hot Sauce
Directions
Preheat your oven to 200°F.
In a food processor, add the walnuts and process on high for 20 seconds, until they are broken down almost to a flour like consistency. Remove from the food processor and place in a bowl.
Add the lentils to the food processor and pulse on high until they are mostly broken down. Add the onion powder, garlic powder, ketchup or tomato paste, liquid smoke, Italian Spices, cumin, salt, and black pepper to the food processor and pulse until fully combined. You may need to scrape down the sides periodically.
Add the ground walnuts and oat flour to the food processor and pulse until all ingredients are fully combined.
Line one to two baking sheets with parchment paper. Crumble the mixture in your hands onto the parchment paper into small pieces. Make sure they are not overlapping too much so they will bake evenly. Bake in the oven for an hour and fifteen minutes.
Once it is done baking, place in a large bowl and add cilantro or parsley, depending on the cuisine you are cooking.
Toss with marinara, buffalo, or hot sauce if desired. You can skip this step and use it in your meals right out of the oven, but I find this extra sauce makes this Smoky Crumble extremely realistic and delicious!
Add to any meal where ground beef or turkey is traditionally used.
*Note: Alternatively, you can dehydrate this at 115F for two hours.
