How to cook crispy tofu for beginners
Easy, crispy tofu recipe to get you started cooking tofu if you’ve never cooked it before. How to never eat bland, mushy tofu again!
So, the thought of cooking with tofu overwhelms you. You’re not sure where to start. Maybe you’ve tried cooking tofu before and it just turned into a bland, mushy mess.
I’ve been there before. Cooking with tofu can be really confusing in the beginning. You know it can be delicious because you’ve had it blow your mind in restaurants before. You’re just not quite sure how to cook it like that.
I’ve got your back.
Instead of overwhelming you with 100 ways to cook tofu, I’m going to give you one simple recipe to get you started cooking tofu.
Let’s learn how to make crispy tofu on the stovetop for beginners.
Do I need to press my tofu?
For this recipe, yes. Pressing the tofu will ensure that your tofu comes out nice and crispy.
It also takes less time to pan fry because you don’t have to cook the water out.
Pressing the water out of the tofu also makes the tofu more flavorful. It soaks up more of the flavors that you cook it with.
How to press tofu
The easiest way is to buy a tofu press. They’re really affordable and easy to find online. Use the code DamnTasty for 10% off.
Take the tofu out of the package and set it in the press for 10 minutes. Then you’re done!
If you don’t have a tofu press, wrap the tofu up in a towel, put it on a plate and put some heavy books or pans on top.
Let it press for 10 minutes.
If you’d like to add sauce to your tofu….
- After cooking and crisping the tofu up on each side, add your sauce of choice. I love to use store bought buffalo wing sauce, asian sauces, or BBQ sauce depending on what type of dish I’m putting this in. Just read the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t contain dairy or eggs.
- Keep the pan on medium low heat and occasionally stir and flip the tofu around so it’s well coated
- Sauté the tofu for 5-8 minutes, or until the sauce starts to slightly caramelize and the tofu crisps up again.
- When you first add the sauce to the tofu, the tofu will become a little soggy, so you have to sauté the tofu until it crisps up again.
- Serve in a stir fry, on the side with some steamed veggies, or put this tofu in a wrap.
Crispy tofu for beginners
Ingredients
- 1 package extra firm tofu
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Press the tofu for at least 15 minutes.
- Cut the tofu in half and then in half again the other way. Turn the tofu and cut it into large cubes
- Cover the tofu with 2 TBL of corn starch. Take a spatula or flat spoon and gently mix the cornstarch and tofu until most of the cornstarch coats the tofu.
- Sprinkle on some salt and garlic powder and any other seasonings you love.
- Put a saute pan on medium low heat and add 2-3 TBL of oil
- It’s really important to let the pan and oil heat up first, so let it heat up for about 2-5 minutes.
- Add the tofu into the pan
- Set a timer for 5 minutes and DON’T TOUCH or move the tofu for 5 minutes. It’s really important to leave the tofu alone for at least 5 minutes. This will ensure that the tofu creates a really crispy coating and not stick to the pan.
- If you’ve ever cooked tofu and it stuck to the pan and fell apart, it’s because you didn’t let it cook long enough to create that crispy coating. Once that coating is make, it will naturally release itself from the pan and make it easier to flip.
- Cook each side for at least 5 minutes.
- Once each side is cooked, this tofu is ready to go into a Thai curry, a wrap, onto a salad or in a buddha bowl.
Video
Nutrition
Check out more easy tofu recipes:
- Crispy sesame ginger baked tofu
- Everything you need to know about cooking tofu
- Creamy vegan ranch dressing
- Crispy baked buffalo cauliflower
- Peanut tofu quinoa bowl
Loved the recipe? Pin it for later
Tamia
Thank you, I so needed this! I have had tofu in the restaurantS that have been delicious! But I haven’t been Successful at all, And crispy is the only way I like tofu! Thank you so much for this post! 🙂
Damn Tasty Vegan
So glad this helped you out! Crispy tofu is definitely my favorite way to eat tofu as well.