Spicy Crispy Tofu Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

Golden tofu and melting vegan cheese layered on toasted sourdough delivers bold, comforting flavors and crispy texture.

# 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Pat tofu slices dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
02 - In a shallow bowl, combine cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Dredge tofu slices in this mixture until fully coated.
03 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu slices 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove and keep aside.
04 - Spread vegan butter evenly on one side of each bread slice. If desired, spread vegan mayonnaise on the unbuttered sides of two slices.
05 - On a buttered slice, layer vegan cheese, crispy tofu, jalapeño slices if using, additional cheese, then top with the second slice of bread, buttered side up.
06 - Clean the skillet, return to medium heat, and grill each sandwich for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently until the bread is golden and cheese has melted.
07 - Slice sandwiches in half and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tofu gets genuinely crispy and golden instead of soggy or bland.
  • It's faster to make than you'd expect, perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.
  • Spicy, melty, and comforting all at once—nobody will miss the dairy version.
02 -
  • If your tofu isn't completely dry before coating, the spice mixture slides right off and you end up with bland, steamed tofu instead of crispy, flavorful slabs.
  • The cheese won't melt properly if your skillet isn't hot enough or if you skip pressing the sandwich—patience and pressure are what make it work.
03 -
  • Press the sandwich gently but firmly while it grills—this helps the cheese melt evenly and bonds the layers together so it doesn't fall apart when you bite it.
  • If your vegan butter is cold or hard, let it sit out for five minutes before spreading; it'll coat the bread more evenly and brown more beautifully.
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