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Crispy tofu cubes in a glass bowl.
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4.14 from 15 votes

How To Make Easy Crispy Tofu

How to make crispy, easy pan fried and baked tofu for beginners
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4
Calories: 98kcal
Author: Maria

Ingredients

  • 1 package extra firm tofu
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoons oil

Instructions

Baking instructions

  • Press the tofu for at least 20-30 minutes. Pre-heat the oven to 420 degrees.
    1 package extra firm tofu
  • Cut the tofu in half and then in half again the other way. Turn the tofu and cut it into large cubes
  • Add tofu to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle on the oil, then sprinkle on the soy sauce, corn starch and garlic powder. Gently mix with a wide flat utensil, being careful not to break the tofu, until the corn starch looks mixed in
    1 tablespoon corn starch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoons oil
  • Line or oil a baking sheet. Place the tofu on the baking sheet, giving each piece space. Bake for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, check the tofu. If it's golden and looking crispy, take it out. If not, bake for another 5 minutes. The tofu firms up as it cools as well.
  • If you want to add a sauce, add the sauce to a pan on medium heat on the stove. Stir until it heats up, then add the crispy tofu. Stir and coat well. Keep heating it up until the sauce starts to caramelize. This should take about 5-8 minutes. Then serve

Pan fried 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
    1 package extra firm tofu
  • Add tofu to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle on the oil, then sprinkle on the soy sauce, corn starch and garlic powder. Gently mix with a wide flat utensil, being careful not to break the tofu, until the corn starch looks mixed in
    1 tablespoon corn starch, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoons oil
  • Put a saute pan on medium low heat and add 2-3 tablespoons 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 has formed, it will naturally release itself from the pan and make it easier to flip.
  • Cook each side for at least 5 minutes.
  • If you want to add a sauce, add the sauce to a pan on medium heat on the stove. Stir until it heats up, then add the crispy tofu. Stir and coat well. Keep heating it up until the sauce starts to caramelize. This should take about 5-8 minutes. Then serve
  • 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

Notes

If you want super crispy tofu, then freeze the whole package of tofu. Let it completely thaw out, then press the water out with a tofu press or heavy pans.  
You might need to add a little more oil, because the tofu is going to come out extra dry when you do this. But it will crisp up amazingly well. 
 
The tofu will last in the fridge for 5 days. 

Nutrition

Serving: 3.5ounces | Calories: 98kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 171mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg