Crispy Southern Fried Tofu Sandwich with Spicy Aioli
A crispy, golden Southern-style fried tofu sandwich with spicy aioli, quick-pickled jalapeños, and crunchy toppings. A plant-based twist on a comfort food classic with bold, crave-worthy flavors!
Equipment
- Pan for frying tofu
- Small jar or bowl for pickling jalapeños
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) block of firm tofu, pressed and sliced into 4 equal pieces widthwise
- 2 vegan brioche hamburger buns (or similar buns of choice)
- Vegetable or neutral oil for frying
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
Buttermilk Mixture
- ¼ cut nut or oatmilk of choise
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 3-4 dashes of Tabasco
Cornstarch Mixture
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼-½ tsp cayenne (adjust for spice preference)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Spicy Aioli
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (like vegenaise)
- 2 tsp Tabasco (or Frank's Red Hot)
- Pinch of salt
Pickled Jalapeños
- 1 large jalapeño, sliced
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbp sugar
Additional Sandwich Toppings
- Butter lettuce or shredded romaine
- Bread and butter pickle slices
- Thinly sliced red onion
Instructions
- Quick Pickle the Jalapeños: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp water, and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a simmer. Remove from heat, add the sliced jalapeño, and let sit in the fridge while preparing the rest of the sandwich.
- Press and Slice the Tofu: Press the 8-ounce block of tofu between two plated with a heavy pan on top, for 20 minutes to remove excess moisture. Once pressed, slice into 4 equal pieces widthwise.
- Prepare the Spicy Aioli: In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup mayonnaise and 2 tsp Tabasco with a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and set aside.
- Make the Buttermilk Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together ¼ cup nut or oat milk, 2 tsp lemon juice, and 3–4 dashes of Tabasco. Let sit for a minute to slightly thicken.
- Prepare the Cornstarch & Panko Mixtures: In a shallow dish, whisk together ⅓ cup cornstarch, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, ¼–½ tsp cayenne, and ¼ tsp black pepper. In a separate shallow dish or plate, spread out ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs to have ready for coating.
- Bread the Tofu: Dip each piece of tofu into the cornstarch mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Then dip it into the buttermilk mixture. Repeat the process one more time—back into the cornstarch, then into the buttermilk. Finally, press the tofu into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring an even, crispy coating. Reapeat with each piece of tofu and set aside.
- Fry the Tofu: Heat about ½ inch of vegetable or neutral oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the breaded tofu pieces in the oil. Fry for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Spread the spicy aioli generously on both the top and bottom of the brioche buns. Layer the butter lettuce (or shredded romaine) and thinly sliced red onion on the bottom bun. Place the fried tofu on top, then finish with pickled jalapeños and pickle slices. Cover with the top bun and press lightly to secure everything in place.
- Serve & Enjoy: Finish assembling as desired and serve immediately!
Notes
Cooling for Maximum Crispiness
If you have a wire rack, use it instead of a paper towel to cool the fried tofu. This prevents steaming and keeps it extra crispy.
Pickling Time
The longer the jalapeños sit, the more flavorful they’ll become. If you have time, let them pickle for at least 30 minutes or even overnight for a stronger tang.
Oil Readiness Tip
Test if the oil is hot enough by dropping in a small breadcrumb. If it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready for frying.
Gluten-Free Option
Use gluten-free panko and a gluten-free bun to make this sandwich GF-friendly.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 sandwichCalories: 560kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 21gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 970mgPotassium: 390mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 3.6mg
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