Vegan Banh Mi Sandwiches with Sweet Chili Air Fryer Tofu
A plant-based take on a Vietnamese classic: banh mi! Sweet chili air fryer tofu gets paired with pickled carrot, cucumber, jalapeño and fresh herbs, all stuffed inside a soft French roll.
Servings: 4
Calories: 593kcal
Cost: $7
Equipment
Ingredients
Tofu
- 16 ounces extra firm tofu sliced into 12-14 long rectangles
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup sweet chili sauce
Pickled Carrots
- 2 cups carrots grated
- 1 cup rice vinegar unseasoned, plain
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Sandwiches
- 4 French rolls or bolillos soft, long bread rolls
- 4 Persian "baby" cucumbers sliced lengthwise into quarters
- 1 jalapeño de-seeded and thinly sliced lengthwise
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- ½ cup fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup fresh Thai basil leaves
- 8 tablespoons vegan mayo
Instructions
Quick Pickled Carrots
- Prepare the pickled carrots by adding the grated carrots to a quart sized glass jar. Mix the vinegar, hot water, sugar and salt together in a measuring cup or bowl. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt. Pour over carrots and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Air Fryer/Baked Tofu
- Prepare the tofu by pressing it gently in a clean dish cloth or paper towels, then cutting into 12 long rectangles, like tofu fingers. Mix soy sauce and sweet chili sauce in bowl.
- Spread a thin layer of sweet chili marinade on the bottom of your baking dish, then place your tofu pieces on top. Then, brush the rest of marinade on top. Marinate for at least 10 minutes, up to overnight.
- Line air fryer with parchment paper or spray with baking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes, or until browned on the edges. Alternatively, you can bake these in the oven at 400°F for 25 minutes, turning halfway through.
Assemble the Banh Mi
- Slice French rolls lengthwise, not cutting all the way through.Remove some of inside of the bread to make room for the filling. Then, warm in oven or air fryer for 60 seconds.
- Spread mayo on bread, then add cucumber, jalapeño, herbs, pickled veggies and 4 pieces of tofu. Serve right away.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 593kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2001mg | Potassium: 880mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 11478IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 14mg
