ObiEasy Fried Tofu Recipe
From the many tofu-based recipe on this blog, you can tell one thing I’ll not stop talking about is tofu, in this case fried tofu. Yes, the tofu. And the reason is I recently discovered the versatility of tofu and it can actually play any and every role. If you’re new to vegan lifestyle and want to discover some of these awesome tofu recipes, just do a search on this blog.
Back to how to transform very basic looking and boring tofu to the crispy awesomeness everyone swears by. The moment the tofu hits a hot pan with a little seasoning and a light coating of cornstarch, everything changes. The outside becomes beautifully crisp, while the inside stays soft and almost creamy. That contrast is what hooks me every single time.
You can have this crispy goodness in quite a lot of ways; you can introduce it to your vegetable stir fries and it’ll elevate the stir fry experience. You can go with sweet chili sauce, sticky soy glaze, peanut sauce, teriyaki, or even a simple drizzle of sriracha all taste incredible with it. That’s how good it is. It’s the reason I frequently go back to frying some tofu when I’ve run out of ideas.
Below is my special recipe on how I achieve my perfect fried tofu in minutes.
Easy Fried Tofu Recipe
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Paper towels or clean towel
- Knife
- Mixing bowl
- Shallow bowl or plate (for coating)
- Frying pan or skillet
Ingredients
- 1 block 14 oz firm or extra-firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying vegetable, canola, or peanut oil
Optional extras:
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil for flavor
- Chili flakes or sriracha for spice
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Tofu
- Drain the tofu and pat it dry thoroughly using paper towels or a clean towel.
- Cut into cubes, rectangles, or triangles, your choice.
- For extra crispiness: lightly press the tofu for 10 minutes to remove more moisture.
Season
- In a bowl, mix soy sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Add the tofu pieces and gently toss to coat.
- Let it marinate for 5 minutes.
Coat the Tofu
- Sprinkle cornstarch evenly over the tofu.
- Toss gently to create a thin, even coating.
- This is what gives the tofu that golden crunch.
Fry
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat (enough to lightly cover the bottom).
- Once hot, add tofu pieces in a single layer.
- Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
Serve
- Top with green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of your favorite sauce (sweet chili, soy glaze, sriracha, etc.).
- Serve over rice, in bowls, salads, or on its own as a crispy snack.
Nutrition
Obi
