Fried Tofu

Why You’ll Love This Fried Tofu Recipe

• No special equipment needed. Now, I love my crispy air fryer tofu, but I know not everyone has an air fryer! This fried tofu is cooked on the stovetop, so as long as you have a pan, you’re good to go!
• Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. AKA little nuggets of heaven! I love the way the exterior of this tofu gets crispy, while the insides remain tender.
• So versatile. You can use this fried tofu in so many different ways, you’ll never get bored of it! I share some of my favourite ideas below, or come up with your own.

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

• Firm tofu – Be sure to buy the refrigerated kind, not shelf-stable silken tofu. Silken tofu has a completely different texture and is better used for creamy sauces and miso soup.
• Coconut aminos or soy sauce – To add savoury flavor use coconut aminos, soy sauce, or tamari sauce.
• Cornstarch – Key to that crispy exterior! 
• Seasonings – Nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
• Olive oil – I love the flavor of olive oil, but you can use another oil you like to cook with. Don’t skimp here—you need 3 tablespoons for the tofu to be crispy and to keep it from sticking to the pan.

How to Make Fried Tofu

• Prep the tofu. Set it on a clean kitchen towel or a few layers of paper towels, then place another towel (or paper towels) on top. Set a heavy pan on top and press the tofu for 30 minutes. You can also use a tofu press for this step.
• Season. Cut the tofu into cubes and toss them with the soy sauce. Whisk together the cornstarch and seasonings, then gently toss the tofu with this mixture. Rest for 5 minutes, then toss again.
• Fry the tofu. Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok, then add the tofu. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Finish. Transfer the tofu to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil, then serve.

Tips and Variations

• Don’t skip pressing the tofu. Pressing the tofu is important because it removes excess water, allowing the tofu to absorb more flavour and achieve the perfect texture when cooked. Learn more: How To Cook Tofu 101 + Best Tips on Making the Most Delicious Tofu.
• Add some heat. If you like spicy food, feel free to add some cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix, or add red pepper flakes to the oil to infuse it with heat before adding the tofu.
• Try different textures and sizes. You can crumble the tofu before adding it to the soy sauce for a different texture, cut it into slabs for making sandwiches, etc. 

My Favourite Ways to Use Fried Tofu

• Stir-Fries. Add fried tofu to your favorite stir-fry recipes for an extra protein boost. 
• Salads. Toss crispy tofu cubes onto a salad instead of croutons or other proteins. They’d be great in this quinoa salad with sesame ginger dressing.
• Noodles. Make carb-y noodles (like these chow fun noodles!) more satisfying by adding tofu. 
• Tacos. Add fried tofu to tortillas with easy mango basil salsa for an easy, tasty vegan taco recipe.
• Buddha bowls. Try this tofu recipe in my nourishing vegan Buddha bowl.
• With dipping sauce. Dip your crispy fried tofu into Thai peanut sauce. Yum!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Fried tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. 
• Freezer: Store leftover tofu in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: You can eat this fried tofu cold, at room temperature, or heat it up. To reheat, place the tofu on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F until warmed through. Alternatively, you can heat it in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil or nonstick spray. The microwave also works, but I prefer the other two methods to restore some of the crispiness on the outside.

More Tasty Tofu Recipes

• Tofu Egg Salad
• Lemon Pepper Tofu
• Jamaican Jerk Tofu
• General Tso Tofu
• Crispy Teriyaki Tofu Recipe