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    Home » Recipes » Cooking Tips & Helpful How-Tos

    Published: May 12, 2021 · Modified: May 22, 2022 by Gus · This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links.

    How to Make Crispy Tofu

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    Crispy Tofu
    VNFGF

    If you want very crispy tofu cubes, this method will blow your mind. This is our favorite way to use tofu as a topping for Thai curries and buddha bowls.

    Crispy Tofu
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Tofu is one of your best friends as a vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based eater, so you need to master its cooking methods. Making crispy tofu easily is a skill that will be your companion for the rest of your life, so observe; it is an easy and worthy ride!

    It takes only minutes, 2 ingredients apart from tofu, and no skills! We consider this a preparation that can be easily adjusted and added to any meal or even on its own as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce.

    Crispy tofu is widely used in Chinese Tofu recipes.

    How to know it’s ready: the cubes should be golden brown and look very crispy at the edges.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💡 Tips and Substitutions
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 📚 More Tofu Recipes
    • 🥢 How to serve
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 🌡️ Food safety
    • 💬 Reviews and Comments

    🧾 Ingredients

    • Extra-Firm Tofu
    • Your choice of oil
    • Cornstarch.
    Ingredients tofu, oil and cornstach

    🔪 Instructions

    Press extra firm tofu for at least 15 minutes (I line up some parchment paper or plastic bag and place a couple of heavy books on top).

    Leave it slightly inclined next to the sink so the excess water can run. Then cut the tofu into cubes.

    Pressing Tofu in lined parchment paper
    Pressing Tofu in lined parchment paper
    Pressing Tofu in lined parchment paper
    Pressing Tofu in a lined parchment paper
    Pressing Tofu with books on top for extra weight
    Pressing Tofu with books on top for extra weight
    dicing Tofu

    Now you need to coat the cubes with cornstarch. You can do this in two ways:

    • Place those cubes in a bowl and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. As seen in the video.
    • Or, you can add the cornstarch to a Ziplock bag and get the tofu cubes inside. Shake the bag and ready. As seen in the picture below.
    add the tofu dices along to Cornstarch to a Ziplock bag

    Arrange the tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with your oil of choice.

    drizzle with your oil

    Bake at 425ºF (250ºC) for 25 minutes or until you see they are golden enough for your liking.

    Serve in your favorite rice bowl, buddha bowl or stir fry or eat as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce. We like doing just that with our Creamy Vegan Sauce.

    Crispy Tofu on Parchment Paper

    💡 Tips and Substitutions

    As for toppings: as mentioned before, these perfect tofu cubes are commonly found in buddha bowls and curries, but I recently even added it to my pesto pasta to add some extra protein and loved it. Of course, they would kill me here in Italy for making such a “thing,” but what can I say? It was delicious.

    Cube sizes: you might want to try different sizes the first time to make it to identify your sweet spot. We find that the smaller the size, the less chunky, meaty center you will get. So try big, ½ inch (1 cm) cubes for curries and as appetizers and smaller ¼ inch (½ cm) cubes for more delicate sizes on pasta.

    5 Minutes Vegan Pesto with Crispy Tofu
    crispy tofu with pesto pasta

    Type of oil: it doesn’t make much of a difference, but I like to be consequent to the flavor’s palettes to use either a neutral oil to go safe. I like using sesame or peanut oil for Asian dishes, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil if we use the cubes for other preparations such as pasta!

    See how to make crispy air fryer tofu nuggets with a Mediterranean Marinade.

    ❓ FAQ

    Can I use flour instead of cornstarch?

    Yes, flour gives decent results, but, in my experience, the more critical "outstanding" results come from (in order of priority):

    1. Using cornstarch (maizena) instead of flour. 
    2. Pressing them for 10-15 mins, as the excess water can influence the crispiness, all tofu's brands are different, and all of them have different textures and are more or less firmer, so this step ensures you "standardize" how much moisture the cubes hold.
    3. The size of the cubes also plays a part.

    📚 More Tofu Recipes

    • How to Prepare Tofu
    • Best Tofu Scramble
    • Vegan Eggplant Involtini
    • Vegan Stuffed Shells Pasta

    🥢 How to serve

    As a snack: use big chunks as an appetizer with a decadent dipping sauce such as our Creamy Vegan Sauce or 5 Minutes Vegan Pesto Sauce. They go well with any Asian Vegan Stew as well.

    These curries are great to top with these delicious tofu chunks.

    • Indian Eggplant Curry
    • Thai Fresh Vegan Curry
    • Vegetable Green Thai Curry
    • Veggies Yellow Thai Curry
    • Chickpea Coconut Curry
    • Vegetable Massaman Curry

    ⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!

    📋 Recipe

    Crispy Tofu

    How to Make Crispy Tofu

    Gus
    If you want very crispy tofu cubes, this method will blow your mind. This is our favorite way to use tofu as a topping for Thai curries and buddha bowls.
    4.8 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Resting Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Basics & Preparations, Snack
    Cuisine Healthy
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 143 kcal

    Equipment

    parchment paper.
    (affiliate link)
    Parchment Paper (affiliate link)
    our favorite rectangular silver baking tray.
    (affiliate link)
    Rectangular Baking Tray (affiliate link)

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 9 oz extra-firm Tofu organic
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil or any other oil (sesame, peanut, avocado)
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Directions
     

    • Press extra firm tofu for at least 15 minutes. Then cut the tofu into cubes.
    • Coat the cubes with cornstarch. You can do this in two ways:
      Place those cubes in a bowl and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch. As seen in the video.
      Or, you can add the cornstarch to a Ziplock bag and get the tofu cubes inside. Shake the bag and ready. As seen in the pictures.
    • Arrange the tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with your oil of choice.
    • Bake at 425ºF (250ºC) for 25 minutes or until you see they are golden enough for your liking.
    • Serve in your favorite buddha bowl or stir fry or eat as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce. We like doing just that with our Creamy Vegan Sauce.

    Video

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 143kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 41mgPotassium: 98mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram and Hashtag it #ourplantbasedworld so we can see what's cooking!!
    Nutrition Facts
    How to Make Crispy Tofu
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    143
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    12
    g
    18
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Sodium
     
    41
    mg
    2
    %
    Potassium
     
    98
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    5
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    5
    g
    10
    %
    Calcium
     
    20
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
     
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    🌡️ Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking points to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.

    Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Anaiah says

      September 16, 2021 at 8:27 am

      5 stars
      I love making crispy tofu this way! Baking it is so much easier than deep frying it. It is also much healthier and less mess to clean up! This tofu tastes great in so many of my favorite dishes. Thanks for the easy recipe!

      Reply
    2. Emily says

      September 14, 2021 at 9:13 am

      5 stars
      This method is brilliant! I love how the crispy edges of the tofu contrast with the soft centers!

      Reply
    3. Kayla DiMaggio says

      September 13, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      5 stars
      Crispy tofu is my favorite! Thank you for this easy and quick recipe!

      Reply
    4. Marinela says

      September 13, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      5 stars
      Now I have the perfect and simplest recipe of how to make crispy tofu for my vegan dishes! These freshly baked tofu bites are super delightful.

      Reply
    5. Julia says

      September 13, 2021 at 5:25 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this method of baking tofu and it really does get wonderfully crispy. It made yesterday's curry really special

      Reply
    6. Crystal says

      September 13, 2021 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      I love crispy tofu and I add it to so many recipes! Thanks so much!

      Reply
    7. Beth says

      August 21, 2021 at 5:57 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never been a big fan of tofu, but I’m hooked on this crispy tofu recipe! I’m excited to add this to stir fries now. Beyond excited to make these again!

      Reply
    8. Gina says

      August 21, 2021 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is the best method for crispy tofu and my go to when I'm not using the air fryer- love how easy it is with just the few ingredients.

      Reply
      • Gus says

        August 21, 2021 at 2:33 pm

        That's great! Air fryers work well with this recipe!

        Reply
    9. Sue says

      August 21, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      5 stars
      We adore tofu and love this healthy crisping method, I love the video!

      Reply
      • Gus says

        August 21, 2021 at 2:34 pm

        I am happy that you like the video and the recipe!

        Reply
    10. veenaazmanov says

      August 21, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      A delicious, healthy vegan starter option. So easy to make too.

      Reply
    11. Dannii says

      August 21, 2021 at 12:12 pm

      5 stars
      You can't beat crispy tofu. Perfect in a stir fry.

      Reply
      • Gus says

        August 21, 2021 at 12:28 pm

        yes, I use it a lot on stir-fries and curries! They are the perfect protein addition!

        Reply

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