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Craving fish and chips but don’t eat fish? These vegan fish sticks make a great alternative to fish! Made with tofu instead of fish and nori for the seafood flavor – they’re a great option for vegans.Â
These vegan fish sticks make a great way to enjoy traditional fish and chips, yet completely 100% vegan! Tofu makes a tasty vegan substitute for fish and the nori gives them a nice fish flavor. Then, the oven cooks them up deliciously crisp and crunchy for the best texture.
Serve them up with your favorite french fries for a vegan pub-style meal the whole family will love! I love to add on a creamy vegan coleslaw and some vegan tartar sauce or spicy ketchup for dipping.Â
If you enjoy this tofu recipe, you might also love this tofu pad thai, grilled tofu steaks, and pesto tofu sandwich.
Why This Recipe Works
- Family-friendly meal. Tofu and nori make tasty vegetarian fish that kids and adults will love!
- Vegan fish recipe made with simple ingredients.
- So many ways to serve up this fish tofu recipe for a variety of meals and flavors.
What Goes Into This Recipe
Other than tofu and nori, the ingredients you will need to make these tofu fish sticks are pretty simple. Here’s a highlight of the key ingredients you need.
- Tofu: Use extra-firm tofu that’s been drained and pressed for the sticks.
- Nori sheets: Great for adding the fishy flavor of the sea to the tofu fish sticks.
- All-purpose flour and panko bread crumbs: Use to coat the tofu fish sticks for maximum crunchiness!
- Plant-based milk: Any work but just make sure they are unsweetened and don’t have any flavors added.
- Seasonings: Old bay seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.
How To Make Tofu Fish Sticks
Let’s look at what goes into making tofu fish sticks! Check the recipe card for detailed instructions.
- 1) Prep the tofu. Cut the tofu block in half lengthwise, then cut the two pieces in half lengthwise again.
- 2) Cut the nori sheets in half lengthwise and then cut it into thirds. You should end up with 6 pieces of nori per sheet.
- 3) Place each tofu strip on top of a piece of nori and roll it up. Seal the nori by dipping your fingers in a bowl of water and running your wet finger across the seam.
- 4) In a bowl, mix one cup of flour, plant-based milk, old bay seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder.Â
- 5) On a plate, stir together and spread out one cup of breadcrumbs and one teaspoon of salt.
- 6) Spread out one-half cup of flour on another plate.
- 7) Roll the nori-covered tofu strips on the plate with flour.
- 8) Dip the tofu strips in the flour and plant-based milk mixture. Now roll the dipped tofu piece in the bread crumbs and salt.Â
- 9) Place the pieces on a nonstick or cooking spray-covered baking sheet.
- 10) Bake for 20 minutes or until the pieces have become crispy. Remove from the oven and serve with ketchup, or a plant-based tartar sauce. Enjoy!
Expert Tips and FAQs
- Make sure to use drained and pressed tofu to make veggie fish sticks. Here’s an article on how to do just that!
- Panko breadcrumbs are the best option for a nice crispy outside.
- Don’t skip the nori if you want that classic fish flavor.
Yes, you can but it may change the texture a bit of the tofu. If you haven’t frozen tofu before, test it first with a few pieces to make sure you are ok with the texture changes. It tends to make the tofu a bit more firm but it can also be a bit spongier.
How to Store
- Leftovers: For best results store leftover tofu fish sticks in the fridge for up to three days.
- Reheat: Return the veggie fish sticks to a baking tray and heat in the oven at 350° F for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
What to Serve with Vegan Fish Sticks
- Vegan fish taco: Add them to tortillas with some salsa, guacamole, and all your favorite taco toppings.
- Vegan fish sandwich: Serve them in a vegan hot dog or hoagie bun for a crispy plant-based fish sandwich!
- Turn them into tofu fish nuggets. Cut the tofu into squares instead of long strips.
- Add a sauce:Â Make a vegan tartar sauce with a bit of vegan mayo, chopped pickles and lemon juice! Or keep it simple with some hot sauce or spicy ketchup.
- Vegan fish and chips: Serve them up with your favorite french fry! I love them with sweet potato fries or carrot fries!
More Tofu Recipes
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Vegan Fish Sticks with Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block of extra-firm tofu drained and pressed
- 4 nori sheets
- 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour divided
- 1 cup of plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon of old bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 cup of panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Cut the tofu block in half lengthwise, then cut the two pieces in half lengthwise again.
- Cut nori sheets in half lengthwise. Then cut the sheet into thirds. You should end up with 6 pieces of nori per sheet.
- Place tofu strip on top of nori piece. Roll, and seal. You can seal the nori by dipping your fingers in a bowl of water and running your wet finger across the seam.
- In a bowl, mix 1 cup of flour, plant-based milk, old bay seasoning, onion powder, and garlic powder. On a plate, stir together and spread out 1 cup of bread crumbs and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- On another plate spread out ½ cup of flour. Take the nori-covered tofu strips and roll them on the plate with flour.
- Next, dip the tofu strips in the flour and plant-based milk mixture. Now roll the dipped tofu piece in the bread crumbs and salt. Place pieces on a nonstick or cooking spray-covered baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the pieces have become crispy. Remove from the oven and serve with ketchup, or a plant-based tartar sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to use drained and pressed tofu to make veggie fish sticks. Here’s an article on how to do just that!
- Panko breadcrumbs are the best option for a nice crispy outside.
- Don’t skip the nori if you want that classic fish flavor.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
These ‘fish’ sticks are amazing! Tasty, crispy and satisfying!
Tofu is so amazing! So so good!
I used to love fish sticks so I’m so happy that there’s a tasty vegan fish stick I can make at home!
right?! gotta love a good veganized recipe!
Yummy! Love the crisp texture of these tofu fish sticks!