Spicy Crispy Tofu Cheese (Print)

Golden crispy tofu paired with melted vegan cheese on toasted sourdough for a bold, comforting dish.

# Ingredients:

→ Tofu

01 - 7 oz firm tofu, pressed and sliced into 0.4 inch slabs
02 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
06 - 1/4 tsp salt
07 - 2 tbsp neutral oil (such as canola or sunflower)

→ Sandwich

08 - 4 slices sourdough bread
09 - 4 slices vegan cheese (cheddar-style preferred)
10 - 2 tbsp vegan butter or margarine
11 - 2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise (optional, for extra creaminess)
12 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional, for extra heat)

# Directions:

01 - Pat tofu slices dry with paper towels.
02 - Combine cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a shallow bowl. Dredge tofu slices in the mixture until fully coated.
03 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu slices 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden, crispy, and heated through. Remove and set aside.
04 - Spread vegan butter on one side of each bread slice. If desired, spread vegan mayonnaise on the unbuttered side of two slices.
05 - Place a buttered slice buttered side down, top with vegan cheese, crispy tofu, jalapeño slices if using, another layer of cheese, then the second slice of bread with buttered side up.
06 - Clean the skillet and return to medium heat. Grill sandwiches 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese melts.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The tofu gets genuinely crispy and stays that way, not soggy or bland.
  • It's faster than you'd think, and feels like you're doing something special even though it's simple.
  • Spicy cheese and crispy tofu together hit different—way more satisfying than either alone.
02 -
  • Don't skip pressing the tofu—wet tofu will never crisp up no matter how hot your oil is.
  • Vegan cheese quality matters more than you'd think; cheap versions won't melt smoothly and the texture gets rubbery.
  • Keep your heat at medium, not high, when grilling the sandwich, or your bread will burn before the cheese melts inside.
03 -
  • If your vegan cheese isn't melting well, lower your heat slightly and cover the skillet with a lid for the last minute of cooking to trap steam.
  • Make sure your tofu is actually pressed dry—seriously, this is the difference between crispy and disappointing, and I learned this the hard way.
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