I'm looking for a vegan sandwich protein recipe that is more of a whole food than the highly processed food that is often found in stores. So far, I'm going to try out lentil patties. I figure I can freeze a batch and stick them in the air fryer as needed. Any other ideas?
You might would call this processed but its pretty minimal. You can make it as a roast or make it slightly different and slice it into deli slices. Both ways are good on sandwich's IMO.
Its pretty similar to what you get in stores. Just cheaper and less additives/processed.
Also here is a Alternative recipe I haven't tried yet.
Chickpea tuna. Mash a tin of chickpeas with nori flakes and a little olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste, optionally (but highly recommended) add corn and vegan mayo.
Since all my suggestions were already mentioned here, I will ask a kind of off-topic question: Why are looking into "protein" ingredients specifically? So what are you looking for / trying to achieve with protein intake?
It is mostly a shorthand for the type of ingredient in a sandwich. So you have veggies, sauces, (vegan) cheese, and of course bread. The actual macronutrient profile is likely to be more varied than just protein, like with a legume patty.
My diet does tend to be fairly low in protein, from what my food logging has shown. I am going to start some strength training and regular exercise within the next few weeks, so I want to have a balanced diet there.