These super-versatile crispy tofu cutlets have it all! They’re versatile because you can season the breading with whatever you like (suggestions below). You can serve them with mashed potatoes, on sandwiches or with any kind of vegetable. This may become your next go-to easy weeknight dinner recipe!
Super-Versatile Crispy Tofu Cutlets
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 cutlets
Ingredients
- 16 ounces super firm or firm tofu, cut into 4 slabs
- 1/2 cup white rice flour (plus more if needed)
- 2 TB Ener-G, whisked with 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs (plus more if needed)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- a few dashes of pepper
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Lightly mist a baking sheet or large cast iron pan with oil, set aside.
- Set up three wide and shallow bowls in a line in this order: Bowl one: white rice flour. Bowl two: Ener-G/water. Bowl three: panko and spices.
- Place one slab of tofu into the white rice flour and press until evenly coated, tapping off any extra. Next, give it a quick dunk into the Ener-G/water mixture, then transfer to the spiced panko mixture. Press the tofu into the crumbs until coated, pressing panko onto any exposed areas with your fingers. Place onto the greased baking sheet or cast iron pan and repeat the process with the rest of the tofu slabs.
- Mist the tops well with cooking spray and place in the preheated oven (I placed mine on the top rack) for about 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden. Remove from the oven, flip, give the tops of the tofu as well as the bottom of the pan or sheet another solid mist of oil, then bake for 10-15 minutes more, or until golden all over. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a meatier cutlet: Prepare the tofu (super-firm is best) in advance by cutting it into 4 slabs and place into the freezer and allow to freeze completely. Thaw it. Once the tofu is thawed, press all of the moisture out of it. Then set up a glass pyrex with enough vegetable broth to cover the slabs. Refrigerate until ready to use. No need to press the tofu again before breading it.
For a fishy cutlet, add 1 tsp each of dill and Old Bay seasoning to the panko mixture. Serve with vegan tartar sauce, or make your own by combining pickle relish with Vegenaise. Goes great with french fries and vegan coleslaw.
For a spicy cutlet, add a few pinches of cayenne or habanero to the panko mixture. Serve with sriracha or gochujang combined with Vegenaise to taste.
For an Asian-style cutlet, season the panko mixture with 1/2 tsp Chinese Five-Spice and a little extra black pepper OR mix with Chinese spicy mustard and Vegenaise to taste and serve with rice or noodles.
For a Southern-style cutlet, serve with vegan BBQ sauce or gravy and a side of mashed potatoes or vegan mac and cheese.
The panko mixture is really versatile and can take on any kind of spice you like, such as rubbed sage, za’atar, berbere, ras el hanout or chana masala, etc. for example. Serve with whatever sides and vegan sauces you prefer.
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
Johanna says
I made this kind of thing the other 5,but I used chickpea flour and plain almond milk. I also didn't add much seasoning, so it was bland. It's time for a reboot. johanna@woodbury.org
Angie Simonsen says
Those all look great! Do you think a flax or chia egg would work? I kinda want the fishy one right now…
erinwyso says
Angie, it's worth a try! If you try an alternative egg replacer with success, I'd love your feedback!
Erin says
This is a great recipe – thank you for posting it! A question though – is the rice flour essential, or can you use all-purpose?
erinwyso says
I don't see why not … I hope you enjoy!
Dianna says
Thank you for this amazing recipe! My three kids all loved it.
I made a few tiny alterations:
1/4 cup flaxseed + 1 cup water for the “egg”
added 1/4 cup cashew parmesan to the breading because I was using it for chicken parmesan
I’m excited to try some of your other flavor ideas. Thanks!
Mary says
Thanks Dianna for your comment – that is EXACTLY what I was thinking of doing with this recipe (flax egg + make it into chicken parmesan) so it’s good to know it worked for you 🙂
Christine says
Made this last night adding lots of cashew parmesan to my panko. I love Asian and usually all my tofu dishes Asian on way or another so to have this delicious switch is wonderful – thank you for such a simple, quick and super delicious recipe.
★★★★★