Enjoy delicious crispy pan-fried tofu with plenty of flavors! It's easy to make, and you won't have to press or mess with the tofu.
All are made in one pan, 25 minutes, and are gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
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Ingredients For Pan-Fried Tofu
- Tofu - extra firm or just firm tofu is what we need here. This will vastly help with things getting crispy as we like it! Soft tofu and silky tofu will just not work in this recipe.
- Sesame oil toasted - normal sesame oil in the bottle has some smell to it but not so much flavor. It is best to toast it for a couple of minutes to open up the flavors.
- Cornstarch - I have used this so far but possibly potato starch could work here as well.
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
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How To Make Pan Fried Tofu
- To prepare tofu, drain it and gently press between kitchen towels to remove extra water. You can also press it under a cutting board.
✅If you have a tofu press, that's even easier.
- For crispy tofu, cut it into cubes, toss in cornstarch, and mix marinade ingredients in a bowl.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season tofu with salt and pepper, then fry for a few minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Use chopsticks for flipping.
- Lower the heat, add sauce, and cook tofu for 2 more minutes, coating it well. Enjoy your tasty tofu!
- Serve with Thai Peanut sauce, green onions, sesame seeds, and a bowl of rice or noodles.
Choose The Right Kind Of Tofu
To choose tofu for crispy frying:
- Look for firm or extra-firm tofu.
- Check the package label for the firmness level.
- Press on the tofu in the package—if it feels solid and doesn’t give much, it's likely firm enough for frying.
- Avoid softer varieties like silken tofu, as they won’t hold their shape well during frying.
Tips For the Best Crispy Tofu
- If you cook tofu often, I highly recommend getting this tofu press. It will make your preparation so much easier!
- Squeeze out as much moisture as possible. For optimal results, press tofu to remove excess water. If pressing the whole block seems cumbersome, cut into cubes and press between cutting boards with a towel in between.
- Simple marinade. After frying tofu in cornstarch, serve with soy sauce, peanut sauce, or your favorite sauce for added flavor. If serving plain, consider frying it in a dark soy-based sauce for enhanced taste.
- Flip the tofu - Be patient and take the time to flip it with the chopsticks. You can just gently turn the tofu around with a spatula but some parts will not become as crisp, which is fine too. By the way, this tofu can be reheated in the pan within 1-2 days and still taste good!
- Be careful as once you added the marinade it may spatter.
- Choose a wide pan to spread out the tofu cubes all across the pan, they should be apart from each other for best results.
- A good nonstick pan is also helpful, as the tofu covered in cornstarch tends to stick to the pan easily.
- Generously season the tofu with salt and black pepper but again, it depends on where you’ll use it later. You can use kitchen staples such as garlic powder and onion powder to have more flavor to tofu.
How To Serve Crispy Tofu
🥢 Try this crispy tofu with my tofu vegetable stir fry recipe.
This pan-fried tofu recipe can be enjoyed in different ways. My favorite and best way to serve it is to top my Asian-style noodles with it instead of meat protein.
Serve it over fried rice (minus the beef), noodles (we like Ramen noodles) or with plenty of veggies.
I also enjoy tofu as a healthy snack option with dipping sauces, especially Peanut Sauce.
Storing Leftovers
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Once the tofu is mixed with the marinade, it will not remain crisp after reheating, but still tastes good, to be honest!
How To Reheat Crispy Tofu
The best way to reheat crispy tofu is in the oven.
Here's how:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the leftover tofu on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again.
- Alternatively, you can reheat tofu in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil, flipping occasionally until warmed and crispy.
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Recipe Card
Crispy Pan Fried Tofu (Easiest Recipe!)
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INGREDIENTS
For Tofu
- 1 pack extra firm tofu, or just firm tofu, not silky
- 2-3 tablespoons oil for cooking
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt , or more to taste
- black pepper , to taste
For Marinade/Sauce
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce, gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil, toasted is preferred
INSTRUCTIONS
- To prepare tofu, start by draining it and gently pressing between kitchen towels to remove extra water. You can also press it under a cutting board. If you have a tofu press, that's even easier. If it crumbles a bit, it's okay.1 pack extra firm tofu
- For crispy tofu, cut it into cubes, toss in cornstarch. Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl.2 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season tofu with salt and pepper, then fry for a few minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Use chopsticks for flipping.2-3 tablespoons oil for cooking, ½ teaspoon salt, black pepper
- Lower the heat, add sauce, and cook tofu for 2 more minutes, coating it well. Enjoy your tasty tofu!
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Pan-Fried Tofu: FAQs
Pan-frying tofu can be a nutritious cooking method if done right.
The only con is that frying in a lot of oil will increase its calories. But this is not the case with this recipe, as we are using only a small amount of oil here.
To make it healthier, use minimal oil and accompany it with plenty of vegetables.
This way, you get the benefits of tofu's protein while also increasing your intake of vitamins and minerals from the vegetables.
To make your tofu crispy in the pan, ensure it's hot enough and use enough oil. Don't overcrowd the pan and press the tofu beforehand.
I recommend using extra firm or firm tofu - your pan-fried tofu will be crispy!
You can use silken tofu for other recipes like soups and stews.
If you don't drain tofu before cooking, it retains excess water, which can affect its texture and prevent it from absorbing flavors well.
This can result in soggy tofu instead of achieving a crispy or firm texture.
Yes, you can pan-fry tofu! It's a common and delicious way to prepare it. For the best results, use firm or extra-firm tofu.
Pressing tofu before pan-frying isn't mandatory, but it helps achieve a better texture.
It removes excess water, allowing the tofu to crisp up nicely and absorb flavors better.
Leah
Can this be baked instead of fried or do you have a recipe similar to this idea that is baked?
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Leah, sorry I don't have. But you can try this recipe for baked tofu https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-make-crispy-baked-tofu/
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
Pan fried tofu is way easier to make than everyone thinks. It just takes a little patience and yo have crispy and delicious tofu meal.