Crispy Vegan Tandoori Tofu (baked/pan-fried)

Tandoori chicken is an extremely popular Indian dish often found in “mamak” (an Indian Muslim restaurant) here in Malaysia. After a few attempts at veganising this dish, I finally had successfully recreated this dish using tofu. And it might taste even better than traditional ones! 

🤔What is tandoori 

Tandoori is an Indian cooking method that involves roasting food (usually chicken) in a cylindrical clay oven known as tandoor over a charcoal fire. The chicken is usually marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices like chili powder, turmeric, and coriander for hours before cooking. A few drops of red food dye are also sometimes added to give the tandoori chicken its distinctive red hue. 

Tofu works amazingly well as a substitute for chicken in this recipe, and we will be using unflavored plant-based yogurt in place of regular ones to make this recipe vegan.

Instead of using a tandoor for cooking (which is incredibly hard to find), we will be baking them in the oven! Instructions are also provided for pan-frying or cooking them in an air fryer.

💚Why you will love this recipe 

• Aromatic and jam-packed with Asian flavors - Various spices and spice blends are used in the marinade to season the tofu properly. 
• Healthier than takeout - This tandoori tofu is perfectly crispy and yum, and is baked instead of fried. This dish is significantly lighter and lower in calories than most Indian takeout dishes. 
• Easy to make - Although this recipe calls for a few different spices, it is pretty easy to prepare. All you have to do is marinate your tofu and bake them! 
• Super-versatile - You can serve tandoori tofu with rice or noodles or in Indian flatbreads like naan and vegan roti. 

🌶What you will need 

📃Ingredients notes and substitutions 

• Tofu - Make sure to use extra-firm tofu that has been drained and pressed beforehand. I like using a tofu press, but you could also press tofu without it by stacking something heavy on top. Do check out this post on how to press tofu if you are unsure how to do so. 
• Yogurt - Any unflavored plant-based yogurt will work in this recipe. You could even use regular greek yogurt if not vegan. 
• Lemon juice - You can use lime juice instead. 
• Chili powder - I am using Kashmiri chili powder as it is more vibrant in color. You can use regular chili powder in place or substitute it with equal amounts of paprika powder to make this recipe spice-free. 
• Garam masala - A popular Asian spice blend, usually used in Indian dishes.
  • I do not recommend leaving it out, as it gives tandoori tofu tons of flavor. 
  • You can find it in most groceries or Asian/Indian markets. I usually get my garam masala online. 

🔪How to make 

Here is a quick rundown of the steps involved in making tandoori tofu. The full detailed instruction will be in the recipe card below. 

Make the marinade by combining all ingredients needed. Toss in tofu and let it marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. 

You can now choose to bake, air fry, or pan-fry your tofu. (Again, cooking instructions will be provided in the recipe card!) 

✔Helpful tips 

• Make sure to use extra-firm tofu that has been drained and pressed beforehand to yield crispy tofu. The next best substitute is firm tofu; medium and soft ones simply will not work. 
• You can choose to marinate tofu overnight in the fridge the day before. 
• This dish is moderately spicy. To reduce the spice level, you could substitute parts or all chili powder with paprika. 
• Leftover tandoori tofu will last in the fridge for 4 days in an airtight container. 

🍚How to serve

• Rice - The best way to serve these flavorful tandoori tofu cubes is with some freshly steamed rice, be it white, brown, or basmati. I also love making this chickpea pulao to pair with this dish. For a lower-carb option, use cauliflower or broccoli rice instead. 
• Noodles - You can simply pair them with some boiled noodles, but I like making this Bami goreng or this Malaysian mee Siam. 
• Indian flatbread - Naan, roti, and paratha are some fantastic choices. 
• Other Indian dishes - For a scrumptious Indian-inspired feast, cook up some other Indian dishes like soya chunks masala or this vegetable Mandras curry. 

❔Commonly asked questions

🍽More vegan Asian tofu recipes

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