Perfect Your Tofu With These 15 Crispy Tofu Recipes (2024)

Tofu in itself is not that exciting, but once you learn how to treat this protein, there are no limits to what you can use it for. We’re sharing our crispiest and tastiest tofu recipes with you from theFood Monster Appso that you can enjoy this ingredient even more!

1.Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

Sometimes you are just craving the crispiness you get from fried food. Well, this recipe introduces tofu that are crisped with an air fryer, where you can skip all the oil and still get the perfect crisp. ThisCrispy Air Fryer Tofu by Kimmy Murphyis marinated in a delicious umami sauce, and then sprinkled with brown rice flour. Serve them with a side of veggies of your choice, and it’s all done!

2.Crispy Turmeric Tofu Nuggets

When you just want to make something that satisfies everyone, these are your to go! TheseCrispy Turmeric Tofu Nuggets by Priscilla Soler are quick and easy to make, as they only contain a few ingredients. Served on a bed of lettuce, you will also get all your greens in the same meal.

3.Perfect Oil-Free Baked Tofu

Get all the delicious, marinated tofu, but without the high-calorie oil. In this recipe, the tofu is pressed to get all the excess liquid removed. Then, they are marinated in a delicious blend of spices, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sprinkled with some sesame seeds. Lastly, thisPerfect Oil-Free Baked Tofu by Molly Patrickis baked to get a crispy and caramelized finish!

4.Crunchy Tofu Popcorn Bites With Sweet Mustard Sauce

Tofu and popcorn in the same sentence, who would have thought? To make theseCrunchy Tofu Popcorn Bites With Sweet Mustard Sauceby Cruelty Free Family, you need a Sriracha-spiked marinade, then a mixture of cornmeal and panko breadcrumbs. After they’re baked crispy, they make the perfect movie snack!

5.Crispy Tofu Stone Fruit Spring Rolls

The tofu slices in thisCrispy Tofu Stone Fruit Spring Rollsrecipe by Emma D’Alessandro are marinated in sesame oil and coconut aminos, and baked until crispy. They are places in the spring rolls, which also are infused with fruit, herbs, and dipped in a yummy sauce!

6.Crispy Chipotle Tofu Bites

These tofu bites are covered in gluten-free crackers and chipotle powder for some spiciness, which makes them enjoyable for almost anyone! TheseCrispy Chipotle Tofu Bites by Celeste Meredith are perfect as a snack, and perfectly paired with a dipping sauce made of vegan sour cream and great spices.

7.Crispy Tofu Over Thai Peanut Udon Noodles

A really delicious meal with baked tofu pieces, udon noodles, coconut milk, and all the good spices you use in Thai dishes. This recipe forCrispy Tofu Over Thai Peanut Udon NoodlesbyLee Khatchadourian-Reeseis simple to make, but so flavorful!

8.Crispy Baked Tofu With Shredded Veggie Quinoa

This dinner bowl is quite flexible, and you can definitely add all the greens you want or have available at the moment. The crispy baked tofu marinated in the oven lifts this dish to another level, and a yummy dressing makes it perfectly balanced with tastes. You just have to try thisCrispy Baked Tofu With Shredded Veggie Quinoaby Amy Height!

9.Crispy Coated Baked Tofu With Gravy

This plant-based dinner is made of tofu flavored with savory seasonings, and served with gravy. ThisCrispy Coated Baked Tofu With Gravyby Tara Binder is great to serve with any sides you want, and is the perfect dish for the whole family!

10.Crispy Thai Almond Butter Tofu

Skip the typical peanuts, in this dish it’s all about the almonds! ThisCrispy Thai Almond Butter Tofu byMelanie Sorrentinoinvites you on a flavorful journey, where the tofu is rolled in a sauce based on creamy almond butter, together with umami spices that are both spicy and sweet.

11.Foolproof Crispy Baked Tofu

There are days you simply don’t have time to do wrong, and that’s where the genius recipe of thisFoolproof Crispy Baked Tofuby Angie Li comes in handy. A tofu recipe without oil, but still oh-so-crispy! Use them in sandwiches, in veggie bowls, or eat them as they are!

12.Roasted Pumpkin Coconut Curry With Crispy Tofu

A spicy coconut curry dish, for when you want all the good spices in one dish! The tofu is fried in a pan to make them super crispy, and they are added in the dish together with roasted pumpkin on a bed of rice. ThisRoasted Pumpkin Coconut Curry With Crispy Tofuby Plant Tribe will sure warm you up!

13.Crispy Baked Cara Cara Orange Tofu

Make your own Chinese takeout dish, which saves you both money and some calories! In this recipe, the tofu are baked to make them healthier, and coated in Chinese spices, and topped with an orange glaze. ThisCrispy Baked Cara Cara Orange TofubyKathryn Pfeffer-Scanlanshould definitely be your weekend to-go-dinner!

14.Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites

Crispy tofu blended with a hot, yummy sauce, baked until crispy, and dipped in a dressing of your choice – it’s all waiting for you! TheseCrispy Buffalo Tofu Bites byDana Sandonato are also a lot healthier than the original, so what more can you really ask for?

15.Crispy Lemon Ginger Tofu With Broccoli

An elegant version of the regular stir-fry with a sauce so delicious you’ll crave more after you’re done with the first bowl! TheseCrispy Lemon Ginger Tofu With BroccolibyDana Sandonatohave a tofu so perfect, it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and a savory and tender broccoli to perfect it all!

Don’t think this is the end of all the crispy tofu! You can find more where these came from by downloading ourFood Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 10,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

Lead image source:Crispy Baked Tofu With Shredded Veggie Quinoa

Perfect Your Tofu With These 15 Crispy Tofu Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the old trick to the crispiest tofu? ›

For the crispiest, crunchiest tofu, freeze it first. Tofu is mostly made up of water. When that water turns to ice, then melts and runs out, it leaves behind a more compact, spongy tofu, which is especially great at becoming cacophonously crisp in the oven without a lick of breading.

Is cornstarch or flour better for tofu? ›

Swap Cornstarch for Flour

If you want a crispy outer coating for your tofu, flour can be a great substitute for cornstarch. Simply coat the tofu cubes or slices with a dusting of all-purpose flour before frying. The flour helps create a light and crispy texture while ensuring the tofu stays tender on the inside.

How long to press tofu for crispy tofu? ›

Step 3: Press the tofu by placing paper towels, and something heavy on top. I usually use a sheet pan, and put heavy cans on top. Press for at least 30 minutes if you want super firm tofu. You should see a pool of water that has come out, and it should look and feel very dense.

What is crispy tofu made of? ›

Crispy Tofu Method: Dredged in Cornstarch and Pan-Fried

You simply cut the tofu into sort of flat squares by cutting the block in half lengthwise, then cutting those halves crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. After quickly dredging the pieces in cornstarch, you pan-fry them in a little oil.

How to get tofu really crispy? ›

Now, you just need to toss your tofu in a little oil (just 1 tablespoon for the full batch), tamari or soy sauce (for some flavor) and cornstarch or arrowroot starch. The starch makes the edges extra crispy and irresistible (I got this idea from The Kitchn).

What is a substitute for cornstarch in crispy tofu? ›

If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can try a substitute such as potato starch or arrowroot starch. Salt and pepper: You can also add additional seasonings like garlic and onion powder, paprika, nutritional yeast, etc.

Why won t my tofu get crispy? ›

The key to crispy tofu is to heat the oil in your pan before adding tofu cubes. Coating the pan-fried tofu in corn flour helps create a crispy coating as the cubed tofu cooks in the oil. Another key to getting uber-crispy tofu is removing excess liquid/moisture from it before you cook tofu.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

What happens if you don't drain tofu? ›

However, in recipes calling for tofu to hold its shape, it's critical that you press the tofu to remove enough water so that it will hold its shape when used in recipes for salads, stir-fries, or grilling. Unless you do this, the tofu will fall apart and lose all shape.

Can you eat raw tofu? ›

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

Can you pan fry tofu? ›

To pan fry the tofu: Pour the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the tofu in a single layer (working in batches if needed) and let it brown on all sides. You'll know it's ready when each cube is nice and golden brown.

How unhealthy is fried tofu? ›

Frying tofu can give it a crispy texture, but comes at a cost – it can be high in calories, up to three times more than baked or air-fried tofu. This is because frying requires added oil as a heat conductor, which cooks the tofu evenly but also makes it absorb more oil, resulting in more fat and calories.

What to season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

Why boil tofu before frying? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

What is the traditional method of stinky tofu? ›

The traditional method of producing stinky tofu is to prepare a brine made from fermented milk, vegetables, and meat; the brine can also include dried shrimp, amaranth greens, mustard greens, bamboo shoots, and Chinese herbs. The brine fermentation can take as long as several months.

How to make great tasting tofu? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

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