Spicy Crispy Tofu Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Crispy tofu and vegan cheese grilled between toasted sourdough for a flavorful, comforting dish.

# What you'll 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)

# Method:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Golden, crispy tofu stays crunchy even under melted cheese, giving you texture that actually matters.
  • Vegan cheese finally melts like it should, pooling into all the right corners of your sandwich.
  • The smoked paprika and cayenne hit differently when they're coating something warm and savory.
  • Ready in under 40 minutes from fridge to plate, no complicated techniques needed.
02 -
  • Vegan cheese brands vary wildly; some melt into orange puddles while others stay rubber-like, so test your brand on a smaller sandwich first if you're unsure.
  • Medium heat is your friend here—high heat will burn the bread before the cheese melts, leaving you with a crispy outside and a cold inside.
  • Pressing the tofu isn't optional; it's the difference between a soggy disappointment and that satisfying crunch that makes this sandwich special.
03 -
  • If your vegan cheese isn't melting well, cover the skillet with a lid for the last minute of grilling to trap steam—it works like a mini oven and softens the cheese beautifully.
  • Toast the bread slices in the tofu pan before assembling to add extra flavor and ensure they won't absorb too much moisture from the cheese.
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