Spicy Crispy Tofu Grilled Cheese (Printer-friendly)

Bold layers of spiced tofu and vegan cheese on toasted sourdough create a comforting flavor combo.

# 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)

# Directions:

01 - Pat tofu slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Combine cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a shallow bowl. Dredge tofu slices thoroughly in the mixture.
03 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu slices 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove from heat 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 - Layer each sandwich: buttered side down slice of bread, a slice of vegan cheese, crispy tofu, jalapeño slices if desired, another slice of cheese, then the second slice of bread with buttered side up.
06 - Clean skillet and return to medium heat. Grill sandwiches 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tofu gets genuinely crispy and golden, tasting nothing like tofu and everything like the best part of the sandwich.
  • It's actually faster than you'd think and uses ingredients most people already have or can find easily.
  • That spicy kick makes it feel gourmet, but the whole thing comes together in under 40 minutes.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu is non-negotiable—wet tofu won't crisp, it'll steam, and you'll end up with a sad, soggy sandwich.
  • Medium heat when grilling is more important than you'd think; high heat makes the bread burn before the cheese finishes melting.
03 -
  • A drizzle of sriracha or hot sauce right before grilling creates pockets of extra heat without making the sandwich soggy.
  • Thin jalapeño slices are the move if you want extra heat—they stay crunchy and add a fresh pepper brightness that complements the spice already in the tofu.
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