Why We Love This Recipe
I’ll be honest — vegan food was never really on my radar. But after jumping on the Veganuary train, I was genuinely surprised by just how good the food was. One of the biggest standouts came from BOSH! by Henry Firth and Ian Theasby — and this Crispy Chilli Tofu completely changed my opinion of tofu.
Crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and packed with bold chilli flavour, this dish is proof that plant-based food can be exciting, satisfying, and seriously moreish. Even better? The kids love it too — which is always a win in our house.
Why This Dish Works on a Budget
Tofu is incredibly affordable, especially when compared to meat, and it soaks up flavour beautifully. Paired with simple cupboard staples like soy sauce, chilli, garlic, and a touch of sweetness, this dish delivers big flavour without a big food bill. It’s perfect for meat-free Mondays, Veganuary, or simply stretching the weekly budget a little further.
A Little Bit of History
Tofu has been a staple in Asian cooking for over 2,000 years, valued for its versatility, protein content, and ability to take on bold flavours. While it’s only recently become mainstream in UK kitchens, dishes like crispy tofu have helped showcase just how adaptable — and delicious — it can be when cooked properly.
Will You Be Trying It?
If you’ve ever said “I don’t like tofu” — this is the recipe that might just change your mind. Crispy, sticky, spicy, and family-approved, it’s ideal for anyone curious about plant-based cooking without sacrificing flavour.
Final Thoughts
This Crispy Chilli Tofu has earned a permanent spot in our meal rotation. It’s budget-friendly, full of flavour, and proof that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to some amazing discoveries. Whether you’re vegan, veg-curious, or just looking for something different, this one is absolutely worth a try.
Budget Breakdown 🛒💷
Here’s how the cost per portion stacks up across the top 5 UK supermarkets:
- Aldi – £0.92
- Asda – £1.24
- Sainsburys – £1.39
- Tesco – £1.30
- Morrisons – £1.30
(Prices and stores correct at the time of posting — always worth checking for offers!)
Crispy Chilli Tofu
Ingredients
- 280 g Firm Tofu ready pressed
- 150 g Cornflour
- Vegetable Oil for frying
- 2 Lemons juiced
- 250 ml Orange Juice
- 1 tbsp Sweet Chilli Sauce
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 thinly sliced Spring Onion to serve
- 1 tsp Sesame Seeds to serve
Instructions
- Slice the tofu into roughly 1cm-wide sticks and lay them evenly on a board.
- Sift the cornflour generously over the tofu, turning to coat all sides well. This is what gives the tofu its crispy coating, so don’t be shy.
- Heat enough vegetable oil to coat the base of a medium frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu and fry for around 5 minutes, turning regularly until golden and crisp on all sides. Remove and place on kitchen paper to drain.
- Carefully discard the excess oil from the pan and return it to the heat. Add the lemon juice, orange juice, sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce. Bring to the boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes until reduced and slightly syrupy.
- Add the crispy tofu back to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes, turning occasionally so each piece is fully coated in the sauce.
- Serve immediately, sprinkled with spring onion and sesame seeds. Delicious on its own or served with rice.
Notes
- Extra crispy: Make sure your tofu is well-pressed before coating. The drier it is, the crispier it gets.
- Make it spicier: Add a pinch of chilli flakes or a splash of sriracha to the sauce.
- Serving idea: This works brilliantly as a budget fakeaway with egg-fried rice or stir-fried veg.
- Leftovers: Best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in a hot pan to bring back some crispiness.
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