Vegan Crispy Fried Pork Belly

Indulge in the ultimate plant-based comfort food with this Vegan Crispy Fried Pork Belly—a sensationally crispy, delightfully smoky, and savory twist on a classic favorite. Made with extra-firm tofu as the "meaty" base and wrapped in rice paper for a satisfyingly crunchy bite, this recipe layers flavor with a bold marinade of soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke, accented by paprika and garlic powder. A light coating of cornstarch ensures the perfect golden crust when pan-fried to perfection in bubbling vegetable oil. Whether you're a vegan looking to recreate nostalgic flavors or a foodie eager to explore creative alternatives, this dish is as fun to make as it is to eat. Serve it hot, slice it up, and enjoy this irresistible meatless masterpiece with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside steamed veggies for a satisfying meal. Perfect for impressing dinner guests or indulging in comfort food vibes!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 block (about 14 oz) Extra firm tofu
• 4 Rice paper sheets
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 3 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 0 for frying Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and placing a heavy object on top for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.

Step 2

Cut the pressed tofu block horizontally into four equal slabs.

Step 3

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.

Step 4

Brush each tofu slab with the marinade on all sides. Allow the tofu to marinate for about 10 minutes.

Step 5

Fill a shallow dish with warm water. Dip one rice paper sheet in the water for about 5 seconds or until pliable, then lay it on a flat surface.

Step 6

Place one slab of marinated tofu on the softened rice paper, then fold the rice paper around the tofu, creating a tight wrap. Repeat for the remaining tofu slabs.

Step 7

Coat each wrapped tofu slab with a thin layer of cornstarch. This will help achieve a crisp outer layer.

Step 8

In a skillet, heat a generous amount of vegetable oil over medium heat until hot.

Step 9

Fry each wrapped tofu slab for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Adjust the heat as necessary to avoid burning.

Step 10

Once cooked, remove the tofu slabs from the skillet and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 11

Let the vegan fried 'pork belly' cool slightly before slicing into desired portions and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(694.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1950.8

Total Fat 129.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 60.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2488.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 142.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.9g	0%
Total Sugars 16.1g
Protein 72.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 2776.3mg	0%
Iron 13.4mg	0%
Potassium 1186.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.5%

Protein: 14.3%

Carbs: 28.2%