These Tofu Fries are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and addictively delicious! They’re served with a creamy spicy dip or pair well with any sides for the perfect weeknight dinner that everyone will love! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, low carb and keto-friendly with instructions to bake in the oven or the air fryer.
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Updated May 2021
Crispy Tofu Fries
Looking for a fun and delicious way to serve tofu? These Tofu Fries are crispy on the outside, soft and tender on the inside and deliciously addictive! These savory and delicious tofu tenders are a great vegan dish to try even if you’re a tofu hater!
My kids already are already obsessed with our tofu nuggets but love that these fries remind them of chicken cutlets but are completely egg-free, dairy-free and meatless. Serve them alone or with your favorite dip and this plant-based snack will get gobbled in record time!
This recipe is also grain-free, gluten-free, low carb and keto-friendly. The fries are coated with a low carb, paleo panko-style coating and cooked to your desired level of crispiness. You can make the creamy sauce as mild or as spicy as you’d like! Just use your favorite hot sauce!
What You’ll Need
All of the ingredients used in this recipe are compliant with gluten-free, grain-free and vegan diets. If you don’t follow one of those meal plans, feel free to make adjustments accordingly.
For the Tofu Tenders
- Extra-Firm Tofu: Cut into 3-inch strips.
- Plant-Based Milk: We use unsweetened almond mink but any kind will work here – just use whatever you have on hand!
- Almond Flour plus unsweeteend shredded coconut: this combination creates that crispy panko-style coating but is gluten-free and grain-free.
- Cajun spice mix and nutritional yeast: For that savory and spicy flavor that keeps you coming back for more.
- Salt and Black pepper: to taste.
- Avocado oil: or olive oil.
For the creamy dip:
- Dairy-free plain yogurt: – we like Kite-Hill or Culina.
- Hot sauce: we use Siete hot sauces since they are Whole30 approved but you can also use this Sriracha which is made with gluten-free and Non-GMO ingredients.
- Cilantro: finely chopped
- Lime juice: adds a tangy and fresh flavor
How to Make Tofu Fries
These healthy meatless cutlets take the stress out of busy weekday lunches. They couldn’t be easier to make!
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cut the tofu: After you press and drain the tofu, cut the tofu into 3 inch strips.
- Make the seasoning mixture: In a food processor combine the almond flour, shredded coconut, nutritional yeast, cajun spice and salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl.
- Season & Coat: Take a slice of tofu, dunk into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with remaining tofu tenders, placing them onto the lined baking sheet.
- Cook Tofu: Spray some avocado oil onto the tofu tenders and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Make the dip: Whisk all the ingredients together for the dip.
- Enjoy! Serve the tofu fries with the creamy dip and an optional side of your choice, such as Cauliflower Rice.
How to make Air Fryer Tofu Fries
- Preheat air fryer: If your air fryer has a preheating setting, preheat air fryer in to 375F.
- Cut the tofu: After you press and drain the tofu, cut the tofu into 3 inch strips.
- Make the seasoning mixture: In a food processor combine the almond flour, shredded coconut, nutritional yeast, cajun spice and salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl.
- Season & Coat: Take a slice of tofu, dunk into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with remaining tofu tenders.
- Add the tofu into the air fryer basket in a single layer, (you will have to cook batches). Air Fry at 375F for 15 minutes, or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Tips for Success
For extra advice on making these vegan tenders, check out my tips and tricks below.
- Drain Tofu: If you want to make sure your fries come out as crispy as possible, drain the tofu before cutting it. You can do this in a snap by putting it in between two paper towels on the counter and placing a heavy plate on top.
- Cut Tofu Evenly: Try to make all your tofu cubes a similar size so they cook evenly.
- Flip Fries: Be sure to flip the vegan fries halfway through the bake time if you’d like to ensure crispiness on both sides.
- Season to Taste: Feel free to season the tofu and spicy dip to your liking!
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these crispy tofu fries as an appetizer, side dish, dinner or any time you’re craving a savory snack. You can serve practically anything alongside these crispy tofu fries! Here are some of our favorite pairings.
- Serve with Fried Rice: If you want a side dish slightly fancier than homemade cauliflower rice, try serving your tenders with this Cauliflower Fried Rice instead! It’s packed with flavorful, good-for-you ingredients.
- Pair with Another Dip: Is the creamy spicy sauce just not your thing? These tofu tenders also taste amazing with ranch, ketchup, barbecue sauce—you name it!
- Serve with French Fries: If you’re craving sweet potato French fries but want to keep things healthy, these easy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are perfect for you. The air fryer cooks them with less oil than ever!
How to Store and Reheat Tofu Fries
Store leftover tofu tenders in an airtight container in the fridge. The tofu will last for 3-5 days, and the dip will stay fresh for a week. Just take the dip out of the fridge about 30 minutes before serving so it softens up.
Tofu fries can be warmed up in a 350 degree oven or in the microwave. I recommend reheating them in the oven if you want your fries to crisp up again.
Can I Freeze Vegan Fries?
Yes! These tofu cutlets can be frozen in an airtight, freezer-safe bag or container for 2-3 months. Thaw them out in the fridge before reheating them.
Other Easy Vegan Lunches
Craving more tofu recipes? Be sure to try the following recipes!
These Tofu Fries are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and addictively delicious! They're served with a creamy spicy dip or pair well with any sides for the perfect weeknight dinner that everyone will love! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, low carb and keto-friendly with instructions to bake in the oven or the air fryer.
- 1 14-ounce block extra-firm tofu , pressed and drained
- 1 cup almond meal or almond flour
- 1/2 cup unsweeteend shredded coconut
- 2 tsp Cajun spice seasoning
- 2 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt , to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper , to taste
- 3 tablespoons dairy-free plain yogurt , we like Kite-Hill or Culina.
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce , we use Siete hot sauces since they are Whole30 approved but you can also use this Sriracha which is made with gluten-free and Non-GMO ingredients.
- 1 teaspoon cilantro , finely chopped
- juice from half a lime
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking pan with parchment paper. After the tofu has been pressed and drained, cut the tofu into 3-inch strips.
In a food processor combine the almond flour, shredded coconut, nutritional yeast, cajun spice and salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl.
Take a slice of tofu, dunk into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with remaining tofu tenders, placing them onto the lined baking sheet.
Spray some cooking oil onto the tofu tenders and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Spray some cooking oil onto the tofu tenders and bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Serve the tofu fries alone or with your favorite creamy dip and an optional side of your choice, such as Cauliflower Rice.
Make the Sriracha dipping sauce
Whisk ingredients in a bowl until combined. Set aside.
If your air fryer has a preheating setting, preheat air fryer in to 375F.
After you press and drain the tofu, cut the tofu into 3 inch strips.
In a food processor combine the almond flour, shredded coconut, nutritional yeast, cajun spice and salt and pepper. Pulse for around 30 seconds until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Place the mixture into a bowl and pour the almond milk into another bowl.
Take a slice of tofu, dunk into the milk and then into the mixture. Repeat again so they have a double coating. Repeat with remaining tofu tenders.Add the tofu into the air fryer basket in a single layer, (you will have to cook batches). Air Fry at 375F for 15 minutes, or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Vivian -
Omg these came out so crispy and delicious! Thank you!
Lisa -
This was awesome, and a great source of protein too!
Maggie -
I LOVE this recipe!
Trish F -
Yum!