Vegetarian Crispy Fried Pork Belly

Delight your taste buds with this innovative take on a comfort food classic—Vegetarian Crispy Fried Pork Belly. Crafted from firm tofu and infused with a smoky, savory marinade of soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke, this plant-based masterpiece perfectly mimics the rich flavors and satisfying crunch of traditional pork belly. Each slice is dredged in a seasoned cornstarch blend, featuring garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, before being fried to golden, crispy perfection. Ready in under an hour, this vegan-friendly recipe is perfect as a snack, appetizer, or protein-packed main dish. Pair these irresistible crispy tofu strips with your favorite dipping sauce or use them to elevate your next stir-fry or rice bowl. It’s comfort food reinvented—and completely meat-free!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Firm tofu
• 3 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Liquid smoke
• 2 cups Vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup Cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt

Directions

Step 1

Drain the tofu and press it to remove excess moisture by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and placing a heavy object on top for at least 20 minutes.

Step 2

Cut the pressed tofu into 1/2 inch thick slices, aiming for a shape similar to pork belly strips.

Step 3

In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke to create a marinade.

Step 4

Place the tofu slices in the marinade. Turn the slices to ensure they are fully coated and let them marinate for 15 minutes.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt.

Step 6

Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.

Step 7

Remove each tofu slice from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then coat each piece evenly with the cornstarch mixture.

Step 8

Carefully place the coated tofu slices into the hot oil. Fry them in batches for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 9

Use a slotted spoon to remove the tofu from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 10

Serve the crispy fried vegetarian 'pork belly' slices hot, with your preferred dipping sauce or as part of a larger meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(974.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4190.2

Total Fat 437.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 62.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 268.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2999.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 73.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.1g	0%
Total Sugars 31.8g
Protein 48.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 651.2mg	0%
Iron 7.4mg	0%
Potassium 854.8mg	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: 89.0%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 6.7%