Vegetarian Crispy Fried Chicken with Honey Garlic Sauce

Get ready to elevate your meat-free menu with this irresistible Vegetarian Crispy Fried "Chicken" with Honey Garlic Sauce! Perfectly golden-browned tofu takes center stage, delivering a satisfying crunch thanks to a seasoned flour-and-cornstarch coating spiked with garlic, onion, and paprika. A quick buttermilk marinade tenderizes the tofu, mimicking the juicy interior you'd expect from classic fried chicken. The pièce de résistance is the sticky, savory honey garlic sauce, made with rich butter, sweet honey, and soy sauce for an umami-packed finish. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and a pop of fresh green onions, this vegan-friendly dish is ideal for impressing at dinner parties or indulging in comfort food cravings. It’s easy to make in under an hour, with flavors so bold, even non-vegetarians will be asking for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 ounces extra-firm tofu
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.25 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu to remove excess moisture: Wrap the tofu block with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place a heavy object like a skillet on top for 15-20 minutes.

Step 2

While the tofu drains, in a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Step 3

Cut the pressed tofu into strips or bite-sized pieces. Place them in the buttermilk mixture to marinate for at least 15 minutes.

Step 4

In another bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, remaining salt, and pepper. Mix well.

Step 5

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or pan over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 6

Remove the tofu pieces from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge them in the flour mixture to coat evenly.

Step 7

Fry the tofu pieces in batches, careful not to overcrowd the pan, until they are golden brown and crispy, about 4 to 5 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 8

To make the sauce, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 9

Stir in the honey and soy sauce and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.

Step 10

Arrange the fried tofu on a serving platter and drizzle the honey garlic sauce over them.

Step 11

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving. Enjoy immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1472.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5588.1

Total Fat 489.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 84.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 271.4g
Cholesterol 88.8mg	0%
Sodium 5481.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 257.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.7g	0%
Total Sugars 64.4g
Protein 95.5g	0%

Vitamin D 126.9IU	0%
Calcium 3088.8mg	0%
Iron 21.9mg	0%
Potassium 1828.4mg	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: 75.7%

Protein: 6.6%

Carbs: 17.7%