Vegan Tofu Sticks
These Vegan Tofu Sticks are very crispy, spicy, and absolutely easy to make. The best thing is that they are guilt free and super delicious baked sticks. They are loaded with flavorful Panko breadcrumbs to add an amazing texture.
If you are looking for some healthy, spicy, and delicious recipes then definitely try these vegan tofu sticks. You can make these as a side dish, appetizer, or snack with your favorite dipping sauce. They are totally addictive.
Make these tofu sticks with extra firm tofu for the perfect texture. The flavorful Italian style bread crumbs add tons of flavors in the dish. Some cornstarch is mixed with some water for dipping the sticks. Later on they are covered with breadcrumbs for the perfect amount of crispiness.
You can adapt your own flavors by using the spices or seasonings of your choice in the non flavored panko breadcrumbs. Bake them in the oven, air-fryer, or shallow fry them in a pan for a perfectly crispy texture.
I have cut the tofu into long sticks but feel free to chop them into cubes, triangles, or nuggets as per your liking. The extra firm tofu can be mashed and shaped into fingers before covering them with breadcrumbs to make some tofu fingers.
If you like to add some more heat to the tofu, you can cover them with some hot sauce and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Check out my spicy cauliflower bites for reference.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For Tofu Sticks:
- Extra firm tofu
- Italian breadcrumbs
- Corn starch
- Paprika
- Black pepper powder
- Salt
- Oil
For Dipping Sauce:
- Tomato ketchup
- Schezwan chutney/Chili garlic sauce
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
Vegan Tofu Sticks Step By Step Recipe
Pressing The Tofu
Wrap a block of tofu in a clean cotton towel or paper towel. Put it on a large plate.
Place a cutting board over the tofu and press it with something heavy like a pestle and mortar or heavy frying pan. You can keep some heavy food packets as well.
Let the tofu sit for about 20-30 minutes. Remove as much water as possible by pressing the tofu.
Place the tofu on a cutting board and slice it into 2 halves in the middle to reduce the thickness.
Keep both the slices on top of each other and slice into 6 pieces lengthwise as shown in the picture to get 12 pieces.
Tofu Sticks
Sprinkle some salt, black pepper, and paprika on the tofu slices, coat each slice every well, and set aside for 10 minutes.
On a baking tray, spread some oil with a brush. Set it aside.
Spread some breadcrumbs onto a plate.
In a deep plate or wide bowl, mix cornstarch and some water to form a lump free thin slurry.
Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃
Dip the tofu in the cornstarch slurry until coated well with a spoon.
Next, cover the tofu with breadcrumbs with the help of a fork. Remove any excess crumbs and place it onto a baking pan.
Repeat with all the tofu pieces and transfer them to the oven to bake – I used a toaster oven.
Bake the tofu sticks for 30-35 minutes by turning them halfway through until they turn golden brown and crispy on top.
Dipping Sauce
In a small bowl, add all the dipping sauce ingredients, and mix well.
Tips For Making Vegan Tofu sticks
- Make sure to use extra firm tofu for this recipe. Soft tofu will not work for making tofu sticks.
- Press the tofu very well to remove excess moisture from it.
- Thinner the tofu slices, you will get crispier sticks. I have cut the tofu into 12 pieces but you can cut it into 16-18 pieces.
- Make sure to use lump free cornstarch mixture while dipping the tofu sticks.
- Use some panko breadcrumbs to get a perfectly crispy texture.
Variations
- You can use white flour instead of cornstarch in the recipe while making the slurry.
- If you don’t have Italian breadcrumbs then use regular panko breadcrumbs. Add some paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried parsley in them. Add 1 tsp each – paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, parsley, and ½ tsp salt.
- You can coat the tofu sticks with some crushed corn chips or corn flakes by adding some seasonings.
- Shallow fry the tofu sticks in a wide pan with 2-3 tbsp oil. You can deep fry them in a pan by adding ½ cup oil or air fry them.
How To Store Vegan Tofu Sticks?
Store tofu sticks in an airtight container for 4-5 days in a refrigerator.
These are easily stored in a freezer safe container for 2 months. Take the required portion and reheat them in an oven or on a stove top on a skillet.
How To Serve Vegan Tofu Sticks?
Use the tofu sticks in some wraps, tacos, salad bowls, or stir fry veggies.
Serve them with some ketchup + mustard, vegan mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, or any hot sauce.
Vegan tofu sticks can be served as a side dish along with some fried rice. They will go well with some noodles, or as fries along with some burgers or sandwiches.
Other Tofu recipes:
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Recipe Card
Vegan Tofu Sticks
Ingredients
Tofu Sticks
- 16 oz Tofu extra firm
- 3/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs panko
- 1/4 cup Corn starch
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper powder freshly ground
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Oil
Dipping Sauce
- 3 tbsp Tomato ketchup
- 1 tbsp Schezwan chutney
- 1/2 tbsp Soya sauce
- 2 tsp Sesame oil
Instructions
Pressing The Tofu
- Wrap a block of tofu in a clean cotton towel or paper towel. Put it on a large plate.
- Place a cutting board over the tofu and press it with something heavy like a pestle and mortar or heavy frying pan. You can keep some heavy food packets as well.
- Let the tofu sit for about 20-30 minutes. Remove as much water as possible by pressing the tofu.
- Place the tofu on a cutting board and slice it into 2 halves in the middle to reduce the thickness.
- Keep both the slices on top of each other and slice into 6 pieces lengthwise as shown in the picture to get 12 pieces.
Tofu Sticks
- Sprinkle some salt, black pepper, and paprika on the tofu slices, coat each slice every well, and set aside for 10 minutes.
- On a baking tray, spread some oil with a brush. Set it aside.
- Spread some breadcrumbs onto a plate.
- In a deep plate or wide bowl, mix cornstarch and some water to form a lump free thin slurry.
- Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃
- Dip the tofu in the cornstarch slurry until coated well with a spoon.
- Next, cover the tofu with breadcrumbs with the help of a fork. Remove any excess crumbs and place it onto a baking pan.
- Repeat with all the tofu pieces and transfer them to the oven to bake.
- Bake the tofu sticks for 30-35 minutes by turning them halfway through until they turn golden brown and crispy on top.
Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, add all the dipping sauce ingredients, and mix well.
Notes
- You can use white flour instead of cornstarch in the recipe while making the slurry.Â
- If you don’t have Italian breadcrumbs then use regular panko breadcrumbs. Add some paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dried basil, and dried parsley in them. Add 1 tsp each – paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, parsley, and ½ tsp salt.Â
- You can coat the tofu sticks with some crushed corn chips or corn flakes by adding some seasonings.
- Shallow fry the tofu sticks in a wide pan with 2-3 tbsp oil. You can deep fry them in a pan by adding ½ cup oil or air fry them.
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