January 17, 2019

by Olena

Crispy Pan Fried Tofu

Name: Crispy Pan Fried Tofu
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 x 12 oz packages firm or extra firm tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 3 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp garlic powder; Ground black pepper, to taste; 2-3 tbsp olive oil; Green onion, finely chopped; Sesame seeds, for garnish

tofu

January 17, 2019

by Olena

rate the recipe

jump to recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 34 reviews

Fried Tofu

I’m not vegan but we all love this crispy pan fried tofu! Kids call it “chicken. It’s that good!!! And I’m convinced to convert you as well with this best fried tofu recipe in the world. You will never say “I hate tofu” again.

My recipe is simple and requires no extra steps. Like to press the tofu or pat with paper towels – “Ain’t nobody got time for that”.

Crispy Fried Tofu Facts

Tofu is made of condensed soy milk that is pressed into blocks.
It is a great plant-based source of protein. We all should eat less meat for health reasons!
To avoid GMO soy, I recommend to buy organic tofu. Mine is from Costco.
Raw tofu has zero flavor and spongy texture.
You cannot use soft or medium tofu.
You do not have to press tofu to remove extra liquid with my crispy pan fried tofu recipe. I don’t even own paper towels.
You don’t need to use cast iron skillet either.

Pan Fried Tofu Ingredients

Firm or extra firm tofu
Soy sauce
Cornstarch
Garlic powder
Olive oil or toasted sesame oil

Firm Tofu FAQs

Do I have to cook tofu?

Yes. Raw fresh tofu has no taste. Technically it is cooked. One of my kids likes to pop a cube or two in his mouth while I’m preparing tofu for frying. You have to cook tofu mostly to give it flavor. Otherwise, it tastes like “nothing”.

How long to cook firm tofu?

My easy crispy fried tofu requires only 2-3 minutes of cooking per side. It’s quick!

How do I know when tofu is cooked?

Tofu does not pose a risk of eating undercooked like meat does. You can tell that crispy fried tofu bites are ready when they are nicely golden and look crispy.

How to Cut Tofu into Cubes

Remove tofu from plastic package.
Drain the liquid it’s packaged in. Remember no need to pat dry or press.
Cut in half lengthwise.
Then cut into 1 inch cubes.

That’s it!!!

How to Make Fried Tofu

1. Quickly Marinate Tofu Cubes

In a medium bowl, add cubed tofu.
Drizzle evenly with 2 tbsp soy sauce on top. Helps to stir less.
Stir gently with silicone or wooden spoon.
Metal spoon will do more damage to tofu’s delicate texture.
Set aside.

2. Make Pan Fried Tofu Breading

In another medium bowl, add 3 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp garlic powder and ground black pepper to taste.
Stir well with a fork.
Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium high heat.

3. Combine Both

Add tofu pieces to a bowl with cornstarch breading.
Gently stir to coat.
Tofu will be coated in sticky wet cornstarch mixture. Perfect!

4. Pan Fry Until Crispy

Swirl half the olive oil or toasted sesame oil onto preheated skillet.
It should be hot enough to make tofu sizzle right away.
Add half the tofu to a pan in a single layer.
Stir fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
Flip each cube with a spatula and fry for a few more minutes or until crispy.
You can add half of the soy sauce mixture now too.
Transfer crispy pan fried tofu to a plate.
Repeat this step with remaining tofu.

5. Garnish Crispy Pan Fried Tofu and Enjoy!

Garnish crispy garlic tofu with sesame seeds and green onion.
Crispy tofu is best served immediately as it loses its crispiness after half an hour I would say. Or if you cover it. Still delish!!!

What to Serve Pan Fried Tofu With

Quinoa or brown rice – both are made in a pressure cooker. Prepare to be amazed!
Fresh or steamed vegetables
Cucumber and tomato salad

More Healthy Meat Free Dinner Recipes

Crispy Pan Fried Tofu

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 34 reviews

Your kids will call this easy 20 minute crispy fried tofu “chicken”. It’s that good!

Author: Olena of ifoodreal.com
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stove
Cuisine: Asian

Scale

Ingredients

2 x 12 oz packages firm or extra firm tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp garlic powder
Ground black pepper, to taste
2–3 tbsp olive oil
Green onion, finely chopped
Sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

In a medium bowl, add cubed tofu and soy sauce on top. Stir gently with silicone or wooden spoon (metal will do more damage to tofu’s delicate texture). Set aside.
In another medium bowl, add cornstarch, garlic powder and pepper. Stir well with a fork and set aside.
In the meanwhile, preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat. Add half of the olive oil. It should be hot enough to make tofu sizzle right away.
Add tofu cubes to a bowl with cornstarch mixture and gently stir to coat. Tofu will be coated in sticky wet cornstarch mixture. Perfect!
Add half of the tofu to a pan in a single layer. Cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Flip each cube with a spatula and pan fry for a few more minutes or until crispy (you can add half of the marinade now and the other half with next batch). Transfer to a plate and repeat this step with remaining tofu.
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion. Crispy tofu is best served immediately as it loses its crispiness after half an hour I would say. Or if you cover it. Still delish!!!

Notes

You can use toasted sesame oil in place of olive oil. So good and that’s what I usually do. I just ran out of it.
The marinade of soy sauce, cornstarch etc. doesn’t have to be thrown away. You can pour on top of cooking tofu for more flavor.

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating in the comments.

tofu

Hello and welcome to iFOODreal.

My name is Olena Osipov. I'm a mom to 2 boys and a wife to Alex. And this is our healthy family recipes blog. I grew up in Ukraine on real food. As an adult, I tried many diets without results. Now for over 10 years, I cook quick and easy healthy meals for my family. I can help you with “What’s for dinner?” too.

What You Will Find Here

Healthy family recipes with simple ingredients. Many are inspired by my Ukrainian heritage. I share mostly dinner recipes because it just never ends... I’m obsessed with healthy freezer meals. And more than in love with my Instant Pot.

A Little More About Me

Originally from Ukraine, I now reside on magic Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada with my family. I started this blog in 2012 when I ended up at home with 2 small kids unemployed and a wee bit chubby.

93 comments on “Crispy Pan Fried Tofu”

Our “happiness” software deletes rude comments without publishing, so we can keep on happily cooking delicious recipes for you. Please see our full comment policy:).