Y'all, this is the vegan spicy chicken sandwich of your dreams! Crispy, spicy patties on a pillowy bun with whatever toppings you like.
Table of Contents
This Chick-fil-a-style vegan spicy chicken sandwich uses tofu as the patty, then piles it into a buttered bun with plenty of pickles.
Of course, you can use any toppings you like in your own to-ful-a! It's all about that crispy, crunchy, spicy patty.
This sandwich is also great with lettuce, tomato and onion, like Wendy's does it, or you can use other veggies of choice. You also add other toppings, too, like jalapeño slaw, broccoli slaw, or rainbow apple kale slaw.
If you love chicken sandwiches, also check out my vegan chicken salad recipe. It makes such great sandwiches! And also try my super easy tofu lunch meat.
✓ Ingredients and substitutions
- tofu - It's so important to press your tofu for this recipe so it has the best texture!
- panko - You can use gluten-free panko, if you need. You can also use homemade breadcrumbs! Just follow my recipe for homemade Italian breadcrumbs, but omit the spices and use the ones here instead.
- cornstarch - Helps the panko stick to the tofu.
- salt and spices - This is where all the flavor comes in! Season your panko coating with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, paprika, chili powder, and cayenne. You can add more or less heat by adjusting the amounts of black pepper and cayenne.
- non-dairy milk - Helps the panko mixture stick to the tofu patties.
- spray oil - Helps the patties brown in the oven or air fryer.
- buns - Gluten-free is fine, here, as well.
- vegan butter and pickle slices - This is if you want a Chick-fil-a-style vegan spicy chicken sandwich. Feel free to use spreads and toppings of choice!
🥣 How to make a vegan spicy chicken sandwich
Preheat the oven to 425° F, and press and slice your tofu, if you haven't already.
Whisk together the panko, cornstarch, salt, and spices in a shallow bowl.
Pour the soy milk mixture into another shallow bowl.
Dredge the tofu in the soy milk mixture.
Coat in the panko mixture, patting the panko onto the tofu to help it adhere.
Oven Directions (See the recipe card for air fryer instructions.): Transfer the tofu to your baking sheet in a single layer, and spray with oil.
Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the tofu over and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the panko is turning golden brown.
Spread the vegan butter onto the toasted buns, then add 2 pieces of spicy tofu to each bun. Top with as many pickle chips as you like, and serve!
💡 Helpful tips
- If you want to make a fried chicken sandwich, you can fry the patties in 2 tablespoons of oil instead. Fry until browned on one side, then flip and crisp up the other side.
- You can skip the spray oil, but it really does yield the best results.
🫙 Storage directions
Store leftover patties on their own, and reheat in an oven or in the air fryer. I do not recommend microwaving leftover patties, because they won't be crispy.
💬 Frequently asked questions
Vegans describe our foods using meaty terms to give you an idea of what it's going to taste like. Spicy tofu sandwich doesn't really evoke the flavors and textures that are happening here. Spicy vegan chicken sandwich does.
More vegan sandwiches
📖 Recipe
Vegan Spicy Chicken Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 block extra firm tofu pressed and cut into 6 cutlets
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons black pepper Use less for less spicy.
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper You can use more, if you want a spicier sandwich. Use less for less spicy.
- ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ¼ cup non-dairy milk mixed with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- spray oil
For the Sandwich
- 3 vegan buns toasted. I used potato rolls, because we love potato rolls.
- 3 teaspoons vegan butter
- pickle chips Use as many as you want!
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425° F, and press and slice your tofu, if you haven't already.
- Whisk together the panko, cornstarch, salt, and spices in a shallow bowl. Pour the soy milk mixture into another shallow bowl. Dredge the tofu in the soy milk mixture and then coat in the panko mixture, patting the panko onto the tofu to help it adhere.
- Oven Directions: Transfer the tofu to your baking sheet in a single layer, and spray with oil. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the tofu over and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the panko is turning golden brown.
- Air Fryer Directions: Spray the coated tofu with oil. Arrange the tofu in a single layer in you air fryer basket. Air fry at 400° F for 15 to 20 minutes, until the tofu is golden brown, shaking the basket gently after 8 minutes of cooking, just to prevent sticking.
- Spread the vegan butter onto the toasted buns, then add 2 pieces of spicy tofu to each bun. Top with as many pickle chips as you like, and serve!
Alocasia
I can't wait to try this. It sounds great. I see that you say to cut the tofu into 4 cutlets, and the recipe calls for 4 buns, but you say to put 2 pieces on each bun. Am I actually cutting it into 8 cutlets or am I missing something? Thanks. :)
Becky Striepe
Oh whoops! That 4 cutlets is left over from a previous round of testing where I tried it with thicker pieces, but I didn't feel like that gave you enough flavor. Thank you for asking about this! I fixed the recipe card to reflect the right number.
Amber
Wow. It's been forever since I've had Chick-fil-A and let me tell you - you nailed it! My husband and I were both incredibly impressed! I was thinking of air frying it but saw in the comments above that it didn't work out so very glad I saw that beforehand! Thanks for this. :)
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Amber! And thank you so much for taking the time to comment and rate - that means a lot to me!
Dani
Great sandwich! It real does taste like chick-fil-a.
Becky Striepe
Thank you for taking the time to rate and comment! It has been a long time since I had chick-fil-a, so I'm glad to have a second opinion on that. :D
Ri
Would thus work with regular mayo?
Becky Striepe
I haven't tried it, so I can't say for sure.
Mary
In the blocks above the recipe it says 15 minutes cook time, but in the recipe itself it says to cook for 45 - 50 minutes. Which is accurate?
Becky Striepe
Oops! It's 45-50. I had been trying to do an air fryer version, which didn't work out, and I forgot to change it on the card. I'll do that now. Thank you for asking!
Cadry
I've got to make this for David! Before we went vegan, that was his favorite fast food sandwich. One time I drove an hour out of my way to surprise him with one, back when Chick-Fil-A was a rarity in SoCal. (I don't know if it is now.) Obviously, there are a million reasons I wouldn't support that business today. So I'm excited to try your cruelty-free version!!
BHH
Your recipe looks so good that I printed it--and bought the press. Thanks.
Becky Striepe
Enjoy it, Bonnie!
Dianne
I loved that you saw Phish in New York, because that meant that I got to see you! I had no idea that the MSG spicy chicken sandwich was a thing. I'm so glad you veganize it though, because this looks incredible! I'm printing this out, and I hope to make it this weekend.
Becky Striepe
I loved that about that run, too. We are coming back for NYE at MSG and hope we get to hang out again!