Go Back
–+ servings
Air Fryer Shepherdless Pie in individual ramekin molds in front on a brown cheese board and seen behind in a rectangular dish.

Air Fryer Vegan Shepherdless Pie or Vegetable Shepherd's Pie (Oven Method Included)

Vegan Shepherdless Pie or Vegetable Shepherd's pie is a hearty gluten-free meal with vegetables, and lentils cooked in tomato sauce and topped and baked with creamy potato.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Soaking Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 2 6 * 3

Ingredients

For Lentils Gravy

  • 1/2 Cup Brown Lentils Masoor Dal
  • 2 Cans Finely chopped Tomatoes / 5-6 plum and ripe Finely chopped Tomatoes
  • 2 cup Chopped Vegetables of your choice (I used Mushrooms, Carrot, Broccoli, Cauliflower)
  • 2 Medium Onion Chopped
  • 3-4 Cloves Garlic (Grated or chopped)
  • 2 Bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper as per taste
  • 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika as per taste, can be swapped with Red chilly powder
  • 2-3 tbsp Soya / Tamari Sauce - Gluten Intolerance use Tamari Sauce
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil or Vegetable Oil
  • Chives or Parsley for Garnish - Optional
  • Salt

For Mashed Potatoes

  • 6 Medium size Boiled and mashed Potatoes
  • 1 Cup Vegan Milk (Soy Milk) Around 100 -125 ml, Vegans can use almond or soy milk
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • Salt

Instructions

Cooking of lentils - If using dry lentils

  • Clean the lentils for any dirt or impurities.
    Brown Lentils ready to be rinsed, soaked and cooked.
  • Rinse it well and Soak the Brown Lentils in enough water for at least 2 hours.
    Soaked Brown Lentils
  • If using an Instant pot, pressure cook the lentils for 15 mins on high.
    Brown lentils ready to be cooked in Instant Pot.
  • If using an stove top, pressure cooer pressure cook for 3-4 whistles or depending on your cooker settings.
    Cooked Brown lentils in a steel vessel.
  • If using an open pot, fill a medium size pot with water and add salt.
  • Let the water come to a boil.
  • Add the brown lentils and let them cook for 20-25 minutes or until done.

If using tinned lentils

  • If using tinned brown lentils, just give a nice rinse and use.

Making the lentils Gravy or the base for Shepherdless Pie

  • In a large pan add the oil. Once it is a bit hot, add in the chopped onion and garlic.
    Adding of onion and garlic in oil.
  • Saute for 1-2 mins until translucent.
  • Add the bay leaf and saute for a few seconds.
  • Add the Tomato puree and mix.
    Adding of Tomato Puree in the pot.
  • Add in the chopped vegetables,smoked paprika, black pepper, brown lentils.
    Vegetables used for Shepherdless Pie, seen are cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms and peppers
  • Adding of Vegetables in the onion and tomato mixture in the pot.
  • Adding of pepper for Vegetarian Shepherds Pie.
  • Adding of black pepper for Vegetarian Shepherds Pie.
  • Adding of brown lentils for Curry for Vegetarian Shepherds Pie.
  • Mix everything and let them cook on slow to medium for 7-8 minutes until the vegetables are done.
    Curry in making for Vegetarian Shepherds Pie in a pot.
  • Add soya sauce and salt.
    Curry in making for Vegetarian Shepherds Pie in a pot.
  • Mix everything and let it fruther cook for 4-5 mins on slow sstirring in between until the sauce thickens.
  • You should be able to get a nice thick lentil and vegetable mix.
    The curry or the base for Vegetarian Shepherds pie is ready and in a pot.

For Mashed Potatoes

  • In the meantime, in a heavy bottom pan, add in the milk.
    Milk and Butter to a pot.
  • Once the milk is warm, add in the pepper, salt and mashed potatoes.
    Salt and pepper added to the mix
  • Mash the potatoes well and let the mixture cook well until it slightly thickens.
    Everything Mixed and mash in the making.
  • The mix will get more thick once cooled a bit.

Assembling

  • In a wide pie dish or ramekin mold of your choice, Add in the Lentils Gravy and spread it uniformly.
    Layering of the curry in the baking tins.
  • Fill the pie dish or baking mold upto half with lentils and vegetable gravy.
  • Top it with the Mashed potato and spread it evenly.
    Baking Tins ready to be baked in oven and air fryer.
  • You can use a fork to make some design or just leave it.

Baking in an Air Fryer

  • Preheat the air fryer at 180 Deg C / 356 F
  • Keep the ramekin molds or baking dish in the air fryer.
    Mini Shepherdless Pie read to be baked in air fryer baked in air fryer in ramekin moulds and seen in an air fryer basket.
  • Vegan Shepherdless Pie in a rectangular tray ready to be baked in an air fryer.
  • Bake for 8 mins.
  • Check if the top is golden brown, if not bake for an additiona 1-2 mins
    Mini Shepherdless Pie baked in air fryer baked in air fryer in ramekin moulds and seen in an air fryer basket.
  • Meatless Shepherds pie baked in air fryer and seen in an air fryer basket.

Baking in an oven

  • Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 Deg C / 356 F for 25-30 mins. Broil it for the last 5 mins to give it a nice golden colour on the top.

Notes

  • Standard US Size cups and spoons are used. 1 cup = 237 ml, 1 teaspoon = 5 ml
  • Baking time will vary depending on the dish used and the quantity