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:

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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 good 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.

What is the difference between soy curls and tofu? ›

What's the difference between soy curls and tofu? Both soy curls and tofu have a neutral flavor and are made from, you guessed it, soy. The major difference, though, is that tofu is pressed into a block and soy curls are formed as small dehydrated strips with a chewy texture.

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.

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 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 healthier than chicken? ›

Soy curls contain some fat, but they are generally low in fat compared to meat-based protein sources. They are especially low in saturated fat, often contributing to heart disease and other health problems.

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.

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 taste like tofu? ›

If you're not consuming added sugar, don't add any sugar to them. 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. They contain no sodium, cholesterol, sugar, or trans fat of their own.

How do you know if soy curls have gone bad? ›

The most obvious sign that soy curls have gone bad is a change in smell. They should have a neutral odor; if they smell sour or strange, it might indicate that they're no longer good. In addition to smell, look for any visible mold or discoloration. Remember, when in doubt, it's best to throw it out!

How much water do you use for soy curls? ›

Place soy curls in a bowl then pour 2 cups boiled water over soy curls. Let stand 10 minutes to rehydrate. Drain and pat dry, squeezing liquid out of the soy curls(I use my salad spinner to remove liquid then pat dry in a towel).

Who invented soy curls? ›

Soy curls were invented in Oregon by Butler Foods around the year 2000.

Do soy curls cause gas? ›

Answer. Excessive soy intake can cause gas in some people. Like beans, soy products are derived from a legume. Some people have a hard time digesting the sugars in legumes which results in gas when eaten in large amounts.

Are soy curls considered a 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 diabetics? ›

One serving of soy curls provides about 20% of your daily fiber needs! Fiber acts as a prebiotic, helping the beneficial bacteria in your gut to flourish and, in turn, support a healthy immune system. Fiber also helps reduce the risk of chronic disease like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Are soy curls considered processed? ›

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.

How processed are soy curls? ›

Rich in fiber and protein, soy curls are made of non-GMO soybeans that are processed without chemicals and packaged with neither additives nor preservatives…and they taste kind of like chicken!

Are soy curls ultra processed? ›

If you're new to soy curls, don't panic! They might seem super processed or hard to work with, but they're actually neither. Soy curls are minimally processed. They're made by pressing soy beans and drying them out.

Is it OK to eat soy products everyday? ›

Soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week, and probably more often, and is likely to provide health benefits—especially when eaten as an alternative to red and processed meat.

References

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