Vegan Fried Cheese Balls
Indulge in the ultimate plant-based appetizer with these irresistibly crispy Vegan Fried Cheese Balls! Made with firm tofu and enhanced by the creamy, cheesy flavor of nutritional yeast, they’re perfectly balanced with garlic, onion powder, and a hint of lemon juice for vibrant tanginess. Each bite boasts a crispy panko breadcrumb coating, encasing a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth interior crafted with tapioca starch for that authentic stretchy texture. Perfect for parties, game days, or a comforting snack, these vegan cheese balls are fried to golden perfection and pair wonderfully with your favorite dipping sauces. Plus, they’re easy to make in under 40 minutes, delivering a crave-worthy treat that’s completely dairy-free, delicious, and sure to please vegans and non-vegans alike!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 200 grams Firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons Tapioca starch
- 1 cup Almond milk (unsweetened)
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup Chickpea flour
- 0.5 cup Water
- 2 cups Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
Press the tofu to remove excess water by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and placing a heavy object on top for about 10 minutes.
In a food processor, crumble the pressed tofu. Add nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, lemon juice, and tapioca starch. Blend until smooth and the mixture starts to form a dough-like consistency.
Transfer the tofu mixture to a bowl and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.
In a shallow bowl, mix chickpea flour with water to create a thick batter.
In another bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Remove tofu mixture from the refrigerator and form small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
Dip each ball into the chickpea flour batter, ensuring it is fully coated, then roll it in panko breadcrumbs until well coated.
In a deep fryer or a deep saucepan, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
Carefully add a few cheese balls to the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry for 3-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried cheese balls from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Repeat the frying process with the remaining cheese balls.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy your crispy vegan fried cheese balls!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4854 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 491.0 g | 629% | |
| Saturated Fat | 69.4 g | 347% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1787 mg | 78% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 114.2 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.8 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.9 g | ||
| Protein | 53.2 g | 106% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 829 mg | 64% | |
| Iron | 10.5 mg | 58% | |
| Potassium | 1340 mg | 29% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
