Shawarma Tofu

Shawarma Tofu

There is not much that is more delicious than a flatbread with a delicious seasoned filling, topped with fresh veggies, some hummus, and my Tzatziki Sauce. All the flavors just fit together so well! I’ve done this before with various fillings, such as eggplant and tofu; but I’ve never made a dedicated separate recipe for a shawarma-style filling. I’ve used Tofu Steaks and Jerk Tofu, which are great tofu recipes to use with everything, but shawarma flavors in a marinade would just fit together so nicely.

My mother also recently FINALLY bought an air fryer, which I was so excited to get into. Sometimes, I hate frying tofu without breading, because I feel like all the seasoning is left in the oil in the pan. Baking tofu is always great, but then I have to plan ahead, preheat the oven and wait 30-40 minutes, deal with hot heavy baking sheets, and heat up the entire house.

I made this tofu in the air fryer. With the added cornstarch, it has an amazing crunchy crust. This tofu also won’t be completely tasteless, since no seasoning gets lost. You can also bake until brown, about 30-40 minutes at 350° F.

What Is Shawarma?

Traditionally, shawarma is meat such as chicken, lamb, beef, etc., marinated slowly in a blend of herbs and spices, then roasted on a rotating skewer. The meat is sliced off and eaten in flatbread, with tomatoes, onions, other veggies, and tahini sauce. Read more about shawarma here.

I’m not fancy enough to do my own version of a shawarma roast. However, I tried to get the taste of the seasonings right so that the tofu could be a suitable replacement for those of you missing good shawarma. Also, I know it’s not authentic at all, but I do love having my tahini sauce AND Tzatziki Sauce (more commonly eaten with gyros). I just love all the sauces, ok?!

What Is the Difference Between Gyro and Shawarma?

They are both based on a method of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie from Ottoman Turkey. Shawarma is more common in Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt and Israel, while gyros are Greek. Shawarma uses various meats, gyros usually contain pork, lamb, or beef. The seasonings are somewhat similar, depending on the chef, but shawarma is usually marinated longer. The toppings are similar, except for the main difference of gyros usually being topped with tzatziki and shawarma with tahini sauce.

How to Make Vegan Shawarma?

I use my Shawarma Seasoning, which can be put on all sorts of protein for a quick and easy flavorful dinner. With a few added ingredients, it makes an amazing coating for tofu.

Slice your block of tofu into long strips. Mix the seasoning, cornstarch, salt, and milk until completely blended. Pour the mix over the tofu and make sure the pieces are completely covered. Let sit and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight. When air frying with cornstarch, the tofu will have a white coating. To combat this, you can also add one tablespoon of oil to the marinade.

Add half of the tofu to your air fryer basket. You may be able to add more or less, depending on the size. You want to give the tofu pieces enough space so that they are not touching. Cook at 370° F for 15 minutes, and check the tofu’s crispiness. You can cook for 2-3 minutes more if it is not crispy enough for your liking.

What to Serve With Shawarma Tofu?

• Turmeric Coconut Rice
• Gluten-Free Flatbread
• Cucumber Avocado Salad
• Spicy Black Bean Hummus
• Vegan Tzatziki Sauce

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