All the creamy, garlicky Caesar flavor you love, topped with crunchy golden tofu instead of chicken.
Prep25 min
Cook25 min
Total50 min
Serves4
LevelIntermediate
What makes it special
All-purpose flour
Milk
Smoked paprika
Romaine lettuce
Caesar salad is one of my favorite things to eat, and this meatless version is honestly just as satisfying. The tofu is coated in crumbs and baked until it's crunchy on the outside and tender in the middle, then piled onto crisp romaine in a creamy, lemony dressing.
Why you'll love it
Filling: tofu makes it a real meal.
Crunchy: golden tofu plus croutons.
Classic flavor: garlic, lemon and Parmesan.
Flexible: easy to make dairy-free or gluten-free.
The secret to crunchy tofu
Remove as much water as possible. Press the block under something heavy for at least 20 minutes. Dry tofu holds the coating better and gets much crispier. Panko crumbs and a hot oven do the rest.
Twists
Spicy: a pinch of cayenne in the crumbs.
Herby: Italian seasoning in the breading.
Grilled romaine: char the lettuce halves before chopping.
Extra crunch: add roasted chickpeas.
Meal prep
The dressing keeps for 5 days in the fridge. Store the tofu separately and re-crisp it in the oven, then toss everything together right before eating.
A hearty vegetarian Caesar with golden breaded tofu, crisp romaine, croutons and a creamy, garlicky homemade Caesar dressing.
Salads Intermediate American
Prep
25 min
Cook
25 min
Total
50 min
Servings
4
Ingredients 13 items
Tap to check off as you go
Breaded Tofu
Salad
Dressing
Instructions 6 steps
1
Press the tofu for 20 to 30 minutes, then cut it into cubes.
2
Coat the tofu in the seasoned flour, dip it in milk, then roll it in breadcrumbs.
3
Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or pan-fry until golden.
4
Whisk the dressing ingredients until smooth.
5
Toss the romaine with the dressing and croutons.
6
Top with the crispy tofu and serve right away.
Nutrition per serving
Calories
520
Protein
22g
Carbs
38g
Fat
32g
Sugar
3g
Fiber
4g
Sodium
640mg
Questions, answered
Can I air fry the tofu?
Yes. Air fry at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Is it gluten-free?
It can be. Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, and skip or swap the croutons.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use vegan mayo, nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and plant milk in the breading.
Recipe by
Denise
Home cook, baker and serial recipe tweaker. I share the dishes my family asks for most, written step by step so they turn out right in your kitchen too.
