Crispy Tofu Fried Chicken (Printable Version)
Golden, crunchy tofu pieces with savory spices.
# What You Need:
→ Tofu
01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and drained
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
→ Buttermilk Marinade
04 - 3/4 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (soy or oat)
05 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
06 - 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
→ Flour Coating
07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1/3 cup cornstarch
09 - 2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 2 tsp onion powder
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1 tsp salt
13 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
→ For Frying
16 - 2 1/2 cups vegetable oil (for deep frying)
# How To Make It:
01 - Slice the pressed tofu into 3/4 inch thick slabs. Use your hands to gently tear each cutlet into nugget-sized pieces for a more chicken-like texture.
02 - In a shallow dish, mix soy sauce and apple cider vinegar. Add tofu pieces, tossing gently to coat. Marinate for 10 minutes.
03 - In a bowl, combine plant-based milk with lemon juice and optional hot sauce. Let sit for 2 minutes to thicken.
04 - In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, white pepper, and cayenne pepper.
05 - Dip each tofu piece in the buttermilk marinade, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture. Repeat the dip and dredge process for extra crispiness.
06 - Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F. Fry tofu pieces in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel.
07 - Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- It delivers that undeniable fried chicken satisfaction without any meat.
- The texture is incredibly crispy while staying tender inside.
02 -
- Ripping the tofu by hand creates nooks and crannies that hold onto the batter much better than slicing.
- Letting the oil come back to temperature between batches is the secret to avoiding soggy results.
03 -
- A wire cooling rack prevents the bottom from getting steamy and soft.
- Serve immediately to experience the maximum audio crunch.