Crispy Breaded Tofu Strips with BBQ Sauce Recipe
Crispy and flavorful Breaded Tofu Strips made by coating extra firm tofu in a cornstarch-soy sauce mixture, then breaded with seasoned breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast, pan-fried to golden perfection. Served with tangy BBQ sauce, this vegan-friendly dish is a perfect protein-packed snack or appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu Preparation
- 14 to 16 ounces of extra firm tofu
Breading Mixture
- ½ cup of cornstarch
- ¼ cup of water
- 2 Tablespoons of soy sauce
Breading
- ½ cup of breadcrumbs
- 1 Tablespoon of nutritional yeast
- Pinch of salt
For Cooking
- ¼ cup of vegetable oil
Serving
- ½ cup of BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Tofu: Drain and press the tofu to remove excess water, then cut the block into strips roughly the size and length of a finger to ensure even cooking and easy handling.
- Make the Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together cornstarch, water, and soy sauce thoroughly with a fork to form a smooth coating mixture.
- Prepare the Breading: On a large plate, mix together the breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, and a pinch of salt uniformly to create the dry breading mixture.
- Heat the Oil: Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, preparing for frying.
- Bread the Tofu Strips: Dip each tofu strip into the cornstarch mixture ensuring even coverage, then immediately press it onto the breadcrumb mixture making sure all sides are coated well.
- Fry the Tofu: Place the breaded tofu strips carefully onto the hot pan and cook each side for about 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping gently to avoid breaking.
- Drain and Serve: Transfer the cooked tofu strips to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, then serve hot with BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu thoroughly helps achieve the best texture by removing excess moisture.
- The nutritional yeast adds a subtle cheesy flavor while keeping the dish vegan.
- You can substitute BBQ sauce with your favorite dipping sauce such as sweet chili or teriyaki.
- For crispier results, you may double-coat the tofu by repeating the dipping and breading step.
- Use a non-stick or well-seasoned pan to prevent tofu from sticking and breaking.
Keywords: breaded tofu, crispy tofu strips, vegan appetizer, tofu recipe, fried tofu, plant-based snack
