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This Tofu Fried Chicken recipe gives you the perfect crunch, packed with bold flavor. It mimics the texture of crispy fried chicken without using any animal products. Serve it with a variety of dipping sauces, or in sandwiches, salads, and more! The tofu stays juicy inside and develops a golden, crispy crust. Freezing the tofu twice makes it chewy, almost like chicken. You only need basic pantry ingredients, so it’s easy to make. Try it for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or party platters.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients Needed to Make Tofu Fried Chicken
- Equipment Needed
- Tips & Tricks for Perfect Tofu Everytime
- Different Ways to Serve This Tofu Fried Chicken
- Tofu Fried Chicken sandwiched with Caesar dressing
- Switch Up The Flavor With These Simple Variations
- How to Store and Reheat Your Tofu Fried Chicken
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Looking For More Tofu Recipes?
- The Best Tofu Fried Chicken Cutlets Recipe
Ingredients Needed to Make Tofu Fried Chicken
- Firm Tofu – absorbs flavor and is packed with protein.
- All-Purpose Flour – the base for both the wet batter and dry batter.
- Cornstarch – helps create an extra-crispy crust.
- Spices – a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, white pepper, black pepper, and paprika seasons the batter to perfection.
- Plant Milk – helps make the batter wet. Unsweetened oat or almond milk works best.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – helps curdle the milk into a buttermilk-like consistency.
- Poultry Seasoning – adds a chicken-like herby flavor to the tofu.
Equipment Needed
- Tofu press or heavy pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Wire rack
- Baking sheet
- Deep pan or Dutch oven (for frying)
- Food Thermometer
- Tongs or chopsticks
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Tofu Everytime
- Freeze and thaw the tofu twice for a more chicken-like texture.
- Press the tofu after freezing to remove the excess water.
- Coat the tofu just before frying for optimal crunchiness.
- Monitor the oil temperature with a thermometer.
- Fry the tofu in batches to keep it crispy.
- Let the fried tofu rest on a wire rack after frying and finish it with flaky salt.
Different Ways to Serve This Tofu Fried Chicken
- Serve with vegan ranch or vegan honey mustard.
- Add to rice bowls with roasted vegetables.
- Add to wraps with lettuce and pickles.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Toss in buffalo sauce for a game day snack.
- Add to salads for extra protein.
Tofu Fried Chicken sandwiched with Caesar dressing
One of our go-to ways to serve these tofu cutlets is in a Caesar sandwich with garlic bread.
We prepare our vegan garlic butter, use it to make garlic bread (by spreading it generously on bread and baking for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until golden), toss some lettuce in vegan Caesar dressing, and assemble everything with the fried tofu cutlets.
Switch Up The Flavor With These Simple Variations
- Add cayenne to the flour for a bit of heat.
- Add nutritional yeast for a nutty and cheesy flavor.
- Swap paprika for smoked paprika for a deeper flavor.
- Add curry powder for a subtle warm spice.
How to Store and Reheat Your Tofu Fried Chicken
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 400 degrees F until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can soften the crust and make it soggy. We don’t recommend freezing this cooked tofu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the texture may vary slightly, but it will work perfectly well!
We recommend using neutral oils with a high smoke point, like avocado, canola, or vegetable oil.
Yes, but results may vary slightly. Simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
Reduce the salt in the dredge to your preference. Also, you can omit the final sprinkle of salt to finish off your tofu filets.
This Crispy Fried Tofu is a great way to enjoy a crunchy bite without using animal products. Season it with your favorite spices and serve it however you like—in bowls, sandwiches, wraps, or as a snack. It’s simple, flexible, and always works well in so many different applications. Happy cooking!
Looking For More Tofu Recipes?
The Best Tofu Fried Chicken Cutlets
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 cutlets 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Tofu Fried Chicken recipe gives you the perfect crunch, packed with bold flavor. It mimics the texture of crispy fried chicken without using any animal products. Serve it with a variety of dipping sauces, or in sandwiches, salads, and more! The tofu stays juicy inside and gets a golden, crispy crust outside. Freezing the tofu twice makes it chewy, almost like chicken. You only need basic pantry ingredients, so it’s easy to make. Try it for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or party platters.
Ingredients
- 2 packages of firm tofu, 16 oz (freeze and thaw 2 times for best texture*)
- 1 cup cold unsweetened plant milk
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon salt, plus a pinch more for seasoning the tofu
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, plus a pinch more for seasoning the tofu
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon of poultry seasoning
- High-heat neutral oil for frying (avocado, vegetable, or canola)
Instructions
- Press the tofu. Drain the firm tofu and press for at least 30 minutes.
- Make the buttermilk. Combine the apple cider vinegar and unsweetened plant milk, then set it in the fridge for 10 minutes to curdle.
- Mix the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and white pepper and whisk until well combined.
- Prepare the wet batter. Transfer 1 cup of the dry mixture in step 3 into a separate large bowl, and then pour in the chilled buttermilk. Whisk until a batter forms.
- Slice the tofu into cutlets. Slice both blocks of tofu in half widthwise, then slice each half into 3 slabs for 12 slices total.
- Season the tofu. Sprinkle a dusting of poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper on both sides of each slab of tofu and set them aside.
- Set up your dredging stations. Place the wet batter and seasoned flour mixture in separate bowls side by side. In addition, we recommend a wire rack set on a baking sheet to place the battered tofu on.
- Prepare the oil. Heat a large and deep pan of oil to 350°F. We recommend using a thermometer to monitor the temperature and keep it consistent.
- Batter the tofu. Coat each slice of tofu first in the wet batter, then coat it in the dry mixture. Place on the wire rack and repeat with the remaining tofu slices.
- Fry the tofu. Place the tofu into the hot oil in small batches and fry until golden and crispy, about 5-10 minutes. Cool the fried tofu back on the wire rack and sprinkle with salt on both sides.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Tofu: Freezing is optional but recommended for optimal texture.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven or air fryer at 400°F until heated through and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can soften the crust and make it soggy.
- Freezing: We don’t recommend freezing this cooked tofu.
- Prep Time: 45 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
