Vegetarian Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers

Craving the crispy, golden perfection of fried chicken fingers but looking for a plant-based twist? These Vegetarian Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers are the ultimate meat-free comfort food that will tantalize your taste buds! Made with extra-firm tofu and marinated in a tangy buttermilk and hot sauce blend, each strip is coated in a perfectly seasoned flour mix, double-dipped, and encrusted with crunchy panko breadcrumbs. Fried to golden-brown perfection, these tofu "chicken" fingers are irresistibly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Ready in just 35 minutes and packed with flavor from a medley of spices like paprika, garlic powder, and thyme, they’re a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack. Serve them piping hot with your favorite dipping sauce for a vegetarian treat that even meat-lovers will adore! Perfect for game days, parties, or weeknight cravings, these crispy tofu tenders redefine vegan comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 ounces extra-firm tofu
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 cups vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Slice the pressed tofu into 1/2-inch thick strips resembling chicken fingers.

Step 3

In a shallow bowl, mix the buttermilk and hot sauce to create a marinade.

Step 4

Place the tofu strips into the buttermilk marinade, ensuring they are completely submerged. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes.

Step 5

In another shallow dish, whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme.

Step 6

Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.

Step 7

Remove each tofu strip from the buttermilk marinade, letting the excess drip off, then dredge it in the flour mixture, coating well.

Step 8

Dip the flour-coated tofu back into the buttermilk, then coat with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.

Step 9

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).

Step 10

Fry the tofu strips in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the skillet, until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 11

Use a slotted spoon to remove the tofu strips and drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.

Step 12

Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1312.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5000.2

Total Fat 461.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 69.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 269.3g
Cholesterol 26.8mg	0%
Sodium 3743.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 172.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.3g	0%
Total Sugars 18.4g
Protein 90.6g	0%

Vitamin D 126.9IU	0%
Calcium 3059.2mg	0%
Iron 19.9mg	0%
Potassium 1523.5mg	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: 79.8%

Protein: 7.0%

Carbs: 13.2%