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 does adding cornstarch to tofu do? ›

A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating. Sprinkle over the starch (potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot all work too) a little bit at a time and toss the tofu, pressing gently so the starch adheres.

What is crispy tofu made of? ›

Mix the cornflour, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Unravel the tofu from the paper, cut in half through the centre, then cut into triangles, cubes or strips. Toss the tofu pieces in the spiced cornflour to coat all over. Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat.

How long to press tofu for crispy tofu? ›

For the best results, I recommend pressing tofu for at least 30 minutes before cooking, though longer is great if you're able to plan ahead. In a pinch, even less time can make a big difference. I pressed the left block of tofu in the photo above for just 20 minutes. An unpressed block of tofu is on the right.

How do you keep tofu crispy after frying? ›

Cornstarch – This is the secret to the most perfect fried tofu. Cornstarch forms a protective layer around each cube of tofu, which crisps up when added to heat. If you don't have cornstarch, arrowroot powder and tapioca starch also work. Garlic powder – This is optional but adds a delightful savory, garlicky flavor.

How do you get cornstarch to stick to tofu? ›

Season the Tofu

Toss until evenly coated. Try to be gentle with the tofu so that the cubes stay intact. I find using a big rubber spatula helps. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the seasoned tofu and once again toss until tofu is evenly coated and there's no dry cornstarch left at the bottom of the bowl.

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

Then season with turmeric, black pepper, garlic powder, black salt (for an “eggy” flavor, or use sea salt or Tamari instead), and add in your favorite cooked veggies. Add a little salad dressing, dijon, lemon juice, or whatever you'd typically make a marinade or sauce with.

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.

Does tofu go bad? ›

Use all your senses to tell if a food has gone bad by looking, touching and smelling the tofu. Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor.

How long does tofu last in the fridge? ›

If it darkens in color, begins to smell, or feels slimy, it should be thrown away. Bottom line: Open packages of tofu are good in the fridge for up to five days, provided you change the water daily.

What happens if I don't press tofu? ›

And if tofu is vacuumed packed or firm already, you definitely don't need to press it. Here's why: moisture in tofu is a good thing. Tofu is over 80% water, and that moisture is what makes it such a succulent, juicy source of protein. Pressing it can make the tofu unnecessarily dry and strip it of its intended texture.

Why is my tofu not frying? ›

If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu.

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.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What is the best oil to fry tofu in? ›

If you want a nutty flavor, she suggests trying semi-refined peanut oil (such as Lion & Globe), or blending unrefined peanut oil one-to-one with a neutral cooking oil. Cook the tofu over medium to medium-high heat, searing it for one to two minutes on each side.

What is the best oil to pan fry tofu in? ›

Type of oil to use for frying tofu: Canola is great and so are vegetable/soybean oil and refined peanut oil. In general, choose a neutral-flavored oil that has a high smoking point. That is, don't deep-fry with sesame oil.

What is the purpose of adding cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch is often used as a thickening agent when added to soups, stews and gravies. Denser than flour, less cornstarch is needed to thicken a liquid to the desired consistency. Here's how it works: when cornstarch is added to a recipe, the starch molecules work to absorb water and thicken the mixture.

Should I use cornstarch to fry tofu? ›

Cornstarch: A must ingredient for crispy fried tofu. It soaks up the moisture and creates that browned coating we all love. Garlic powder: For flavor, otherwise tofu is very plain. Olive oil: For frying.

Do you put cornstarch before or after marinating tofu? ›

In this recipe I introduced a well balanced Asian sauce that is savory, a little spicy, and full of aroma. It takes no time to put together. Once the tofu is marinated, I use a cornstarch coating with some cumin powder in it.

How do you increase the yield of tofu? ›

The combination of 70 °C for 10 min and 100 °C for 5 min was the best condition of the two-stage ohmic heating for making filled-tofu. The two-stage heating not only improve soft-tofu physical quality significantly, but also increase soft-tofu yield and solid recovery.

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