fried soy curls — Vegan and plant based recipes — 86 Eats (2024)

Kat Ott

Appetizers, Meat Substitutes, Entrees

Kat Ott

Appetizers, Meat Substitutes, Entrees

I used to love fried seafood. Again, I was raised in Georgia by parents from Alabama so I was born eating fried chicken and drinking sweet tea, no questions asked.

I don’t even know the first time I ate a non fried seafood item, or even knew that it was an option! So after giving up all other meats, and even dairy, the one animal food I still found myself really missing and craving was fried seafood!

Recently my friend Lane accidentally bought 6 bags of soy curls, thinking she had just ordered one. So she asked me if I had any recipes on the site using them. I did not. I have had soy curls in various preparations here and there but had not made them myself. I also recently had the most delicious vegan clam strips from a food truck that is not in town very often and had been craving more ever since. They used mushrooms in theirs, but I decided after Lane dropped off a bag of curls, there was no reason not to try and make a clam strip out of them!

They had the basic shape, and a chewy enough texture, and logic said it would work. And work it did! These vegan clam strip are crispy, chewy, and delicious! The best part is how darn easy they are to make. Just soak, coat, fry and eat!

So If you have a bag of soy curls laying around and have never fried some up, I can not suggest it enough. Lane was super happy with the outcome and I will now be making soy curls a pantry staple in my house! I have also added an air fryer option at the bottom of the page if you are into that kind of thing!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 8 oz bag soy curls

  • 3 cups hot water

  • 1 teaspoon Vegetable Better Than Bouillon

  • 1 cup all purpose flour (or you favorite gluten free flour)

  • 2/3 cups tapioca starch

  • 1/3 cup corn meal

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • oil for frying (I use grapeseed or canola)

Vegan Extra Dilly Tatar Sauce:

  • 1 cup vegan mayo

  • 2 tablespoons finely diced dill pickles

  • juice from one small lemon

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon dried dill

  • 1/2-1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Pour hot water along with Better than Bouillon into a large bowl, whisking in the bouillon until it has dissolved. Add the soy curls and let them soak for 10 minutes.

  2. While the curls are soaking, whisk together the flour, starch, corn meal, and seasoning in a large bowl.

  3. Drain the soy curls in a colander over the sink, return the curls to the bowl they were soaking in.

  4. Begin adding a handful of curls at a time to the flour mixture, making sure to fully coat the curls. Place coated curls on a baking sheet pan, and repeat with remaining curls.

  5. Line another baking sheet pan with paper towels and place a wire cooling rack on top.

  6. Heat a large deep skillet or dutch oven with a few inches of oil, over medium heat. You can poke a chop stick or wooden skewer into the pan, if small bubbles form around the stick the oil is ready. Once the oil is nice and hot begin adding batches of curls to the pan, making sure not to over crowd them. Using a pair of metal tongs, keep the curls moving around in the pan so they cook evenly. Allow the curls to fry for several minutes until golden brown and crispy. Place finished curls on the wire rack and repeat with remaining curls. I like to sprinkle a little extra salt and old bay on the finished curls.

  7. To make the tartar sauce, whisk all ingredients together in a medium sized bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.

  8. Server “clam” strips while still hot with homemade tarter sauce.

* To air fry clam strips; lightly spray with oil, set the air fryer to 375 degrees and fry for about 10 minutes, checking halfway through and giving the basket a shake. My fryer is pretty small and it seems to take longer for things to cook. So cooking times may vary depending on fryer size and amount of strips being fried.

If you like this recipe, try these:

fried soy curls — Vegan and plant based recipes — 86 Eats (2)

fried soy curls — Vegan and plant based recipes — 86 Eats (3)

fried soy curls — Vegan and plant based recipes — 86 Eats (4)

fried soy curls — Vegan and plant based recipes — 86 Eats (5)

Crispy vegan fried clam strips using soy curls

fried soy curls — Vegan and plant based recipes — 86 Eats (2024)

FAQs

Are soy curls healthier than tofu? ›

They're healthy. Soy curls are made from only one ingredient: whole soybeans. This means they provide fiber (6 grams per serving) and a good amount of protein (11 grams per serving, 3 more than tofu).

Are soy curls highly processed? ›

Minimally processed. Free from preservatives, additives, and protein isolates. Free from added sugar, salt, and oil, unlike other meat alternatives. High in protein, fiber, iron, and potassium.

Are soy curls whole food plant-based? ›

Soy Curls are minimally processed, and they are compliant in the Whole Food Plant Based Diet. Bonus, they are a great source of plant protein too! If you haven't tried soy curls yet, then you are totally missing out.

Are soy curls the same as soy chunks? ›

While Soy Curls are a specific product, the concept behind them is not new. It's essentially just TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) and there are variations of it around the world. Sometimes they are called Soya Chunks too.

Are soy curls high in carbs? ›

One serving of soy curls (¾ cup dry) contains 120 calories, 11g of protein, 5g of fat, 8g of carbs, 6g of fiber and 10% of the RDA for both iron and potassium.

Do soy curls need to be refrigerated? ›

Soy Curls™ are an all natural product and do not contain any preservatives or additives. Keep them refrigerated or frozen to keep them fresh.

Do soy curls make you gassy? ›

Answer. Excessive soy intake can cause gas in some people. Like beans, soy products are derived from a legume.

Do soy curls go rancid? ›

Soy Curls are an all-natural product that do not contain any preservatives or additives. They also contain natural fats and will go rancid when stored on your pantry for long periods of time.

What does soy do to hair? ›

Researchers find that soybean protein and fatty acids from soy oil can promote a wide range of health benefits, including hair loss reversal. If you feel inspired to introduce more soy into your diet for your hair wellness, supportive research studies can help you understand how it helps your hair and health.

Do soy curls taste like tofu? ›

Soy curls are similar to tofu in that they don't really have any flavor of their own but they act like sponges and will soak up whatever you give them.

What is a substitute for soy curls? ›

Soy Curl Substitute: while soy curls can be easy to find in some parts of the world, they can be very difficult to find, or very costly in other places. Soy Chunks, Soya Chunks, TVP Chunks are all basically the same thing, just in different shapes, so try looking out for these instead.

Is plant-based 100% vegan? ›

Although “plant-based” is sometimes used to indicate omnivorous diets with a relatively small component of animal foods, here we take it to mean either vegetarian (plant-based plus dairy products and/or eggs) or vegan (100% plant-based).

Are soy curls considered processed food? ›

Soy Curls

These protein-packed strips are different than soy products like tofu and tempeh because they are considered minimally processed. According to Butler Foods, soy curls are made by boiling whole non-GMO soybeans in water. They contain no other additives or preservatives.

Are soy curls healthy for you? ›

In addition to protein and healthy fats, soy curls are high in fiber, containing 6 grams of fiber per serving, which can help aid in digestion and prevent constipation. They are also a good source of iron, calcium, and other essential minerals that are important for maintaining a healthy body.

Do you have to soak soy curls? ›

Soy curls come dehydrated, so you will need to soak them in hot water to reconstitute them first. They have a nice chewy texture and a very neutral flavor, so they're a great canvas for any of your favorite spices and sauces.

What is healthier than tofu? ›

Tempeh contains the most fiber and more protein than tofu because it contains the whole bean.

What is the healthiest soy to eat? ›

Like most other plant foods, the healthiest soy foods are the least processed. Young soybeans, also called edamame, can be steamed and eaten right from their pods. Soybeans are also used to make other foods such as soy milk, tofu, tempeh, and miso, as well as soy meats and cheeses.

What is a healthier alternative to tofu? ›

In fact, tempeh is a great alternative to tofu, and it is considered more nutritious because it is higher in fiber and protein compared with tofu. Also, seitan, beans, and nuts are highly nutritious substitutes for tofu.

Which is better soy or tofu? ›

Tofu is made from the whole bean and has a higher nutritional value than soya protein extract and no toxins. Soya is well researched as a nutritional component that, as we have discovered, has been a part of the diets of millions of adults and children in Asia for centuries.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6813

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.