Spicy Crispy Tofu Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Golden crispy tofu paired with melted vegan cheese and toasted sourdough for a bold comfort dish.

# What You Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 7 oz firm tofu, pressed and sliced into 0.4 inch slabs
02 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
06 - 1/4 tsp salt
07 - 2 tbsp neutral oil (canola or sunflower)

→ Sandwich

08 - 4 slices sourdough bread
09 - 4 slices vegan cheddar-style cheese
10 - 2 tbsp vegan butter or margarine
11 - 2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise (optional)
12 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Pat tofu slices dry using paper towels.
02 - In a shallow bowl, combine cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Coat tofu slices evenly in the mixture.
03 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
04 - Spread vegan butter on one side of each bread slice. If using, spread vegan mayonnaise on the unbuttered side of two slices.
05 - Place a bread slice buttered side down. Layer vegan cheese, crispy tofu, jalapeño slices if using, another cheese slice, then top with second bread slice, buttered side up.
06 - Wipe skillet clean, return to medium heat. Grill sandwiches 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently until bread is golden and cheese melts.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The tofu gets genuinely crispy and spicy, not just a sad pale layer hiding in your sandwich.
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, perfect for when you want something special without the fuss.
  • Completely vegan but so satisfying that nobody will miss anything.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu is non-negotiable—wet tofu will steam instead of fry, and your coating will fall off in the skillet.
  • Medium-high heat for frying the tofu and medium for grilling the sandwich makes the difference between golden and burnt.
  • The jalapeño slices release more heat when you're chewing, so if you want steady spice, mince them instead of slicing.
03 -
  • Don't let your skillet cool down between frying the tofu and grilling the sandwich—wipe it clean and go straight from one to the other for efficiency.
  • If your vegan cheese isn't melting well, cover the skillet with a lid for the last minute of grilling to trap steam and soften it faster.
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