Chicken-Style Fried Tofu
Imagine the crisp sound of golden tofu, perfectly fried to a delicate crunch, giving way to a tender, flavorful centre. This Chicken-Style Fried Tofu, cleverly in disguise, captures all the satisfying essence of fried chicken, without the meat. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. With each bite, you’re swept away by the harmony of savory spices and the satisfying crispness that dances on your tongue. It’s tofu transformed into something extraordinary—an unspoken love affair in every bite.
Ingredients
Tofu:
1 lb (454 g) extra-firm tofu, frozen
then thawed*
1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened plain
soy beverage
2 tbsp (30 mL) apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari sauce)
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp (8 g) nutritional yeast
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper
Coating and frying:
1⁄2 cup (68 g) all-purpose flour
1⁄2 cup (64 g) cornstarch
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper
5 cups (1.25 L) canola oil
As seen in
Instructions
Tip
* See ingredients: You can also use a block of fresh tofu that has not been frozen. The texture will be different, and it will absorb a bit less marinade.
Tofu:
1 With your hands, break the tofu block into pieces of your desired size. Set aside.
2 In a sealable container, make the marinade by combining the soy beverage, vinegar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, oil, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt and black pepper to taste.
3 Place the tofu pieces in the marinade. Seal the container and shake gently to coat the tofu with marinade. Let stand at least 2 hours in the fridge or, for more intense flavor, up to 24 hours.
Coating and frying:
4 In a bowl, make the coating by combining the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.
5 In a deep fryer or a large, deep saucepan, heat the oil to 350°F (180°C).
6 In a colander over a bowl, drain the tofu pieces and set aside the marinade.
7 Roll the tofu pieces in the coating, covering them completely, then dip them again in the marinade and again in the coating.
8 Fry the tofu pieces, in several batches, in the hot oil for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until nicely browned and crispy. Drain on sheets of paper towel to remove excess oil.
9 Serve immediately or let cool and refrigerate.**
** Reheat the fried chicken–style tofu in an air fryer to crisp
it up again!
Photography credit: Ariel Tarr
