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chicken fried tofu burger on a white background with another tofu burger in the background.

Chicken Fried Tofu Burger

Keri Bevan
These chicken-fried tofu burgers are the real deal when it comes to satisfying that crispy, savory craving without the meat. Perfect for a chill weeknight dinner or a weekend hangout with friends—simple to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to make your taste buds do a happy dance.
5 from 28 votes
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 587 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

For The Chcken Fried Tofu Marinade

  • 1 block of extra-firm tofu
  • ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For The Buttermilk & Breading

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any plant-based milk of your choice
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce optional
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For The Breadcrumb Coating

  • 1 cup breadcrumbs ensure they're vegan
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

For Assembling The Burger

  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 4 tablespoons vegan mayo or vegan aioli, tahini, vegan ranch, or any sauce of your choice
  • 2 cups lettuce shredded
  • 1 tomato cut into 4-6 slices

Instructions
 

  • Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess water. Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place a heavy object (like a cast-iron skillet) on top. Let it sit for at least 20-30 minutes.
  • After pressing, cut the tofu into four even slabs or large strips.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce or tamari, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and black pepper.
  • .Place the tofu slabs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Ensure the tofu is well-coated.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or longer for more flavor (up to 4 hours).
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine the almond milk, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce (if using), flour, salt, pepper garlic powder and onion powder. This mixture will create a buttermilk-like marinade.
  • In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Mix well to create the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
  • Remove the marinated tofu slabs from the refrigerator, letting any excess marinade drip off. Dip each slab of tofu into the buttermilk mixture to coat it evenly. Then, coat the tofu in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the tofu to ensure they adhere.
  • Preheat your oven or toaster oven to around 350°F (175°C).
  • Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer over medium-high heat until it reaches 350-375°F (175-190°C).
  • Carefully place the coated tofu slabs into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary. Fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until it becomes golden brown and crispy.
  • Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the fried tofu to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
  • Spread a thin layer of vegan butter or your favorite spread on the cut sides of the buns for added flavor. Place the cut sides of the buns on a baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for about 3-5 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
  • Once the buns are toasted, spread a layer of vegan mayo, aioli, or your favorite sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Place a piece of the crispy vegan chicken-fried tofu on the bun. Add lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, onion, and any other desired toppings, and top with the other half of the bun.

Notes

❄️Storage Instructions

Refrigeration:

  • If you have leftover unbaked or baked tofu patties, let them cool to room temperature.
  • Store the burgers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

Freezer:

  • If you want to freeze unbaked tofu patties, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
  • To cook from frozen, preheat the oven as instructed in the recipe and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Reheating:

  • To reheat refrigerated burgers, preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C) and heat for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through.
  • If reheating frozen burgers, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat in the oven.
***Keep in mind that the crispiness of the breaded tofu may reduce

Nutrition

Calories: 587kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 21gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 2640mgPotassium: 494mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 511IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 249mgIron: 7mg
Keyword chcken fried tofu, chicken fried tofu burgers, tofu burgers
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