Name: The Best Crispy Tofu
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 block extra firm tofu; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 4 teaspoons olive oil (divided)

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Inside: Get an easy crispy tofu recipe that wins over even tofu skeptics! It’s ready in under 30 minutes.

A bowl of crispy tofu with broccoli and brown rice on a white countertop.

Tofu can be a tough sell for some kids and grown-ups.

It looks a little funny and feels a little squishy.

But tofu is also an excellent, plant-based source of protein. It soaks up flavors like a champ. And if you’re making more meatless meals (or are vegetarian and just never found your tofu groove), finding the best way to cook it is key.

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I need that!

I already bake cubes of tofu in the oven for my Tofu Bowls and make these crunchy Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets.

I first learned about this cooking method from this Pinch of Yum recipe. And I think this way makes the best crispy tofu. Dare I say, it’s a game-changer–especially for folks on the tofu-fence.

I’m not saying this method is magic, but when I made it recently for my Tofu Bowls, it was the first time my younger son actually added the tofu to his bowl and ate it.

A bowl of crumbled tofu with a bottle of soy sauce, corn starch, and olive oil beside it.

Ingredients You Need for Crispy Tofu

Tofu: Tofu comes in a few different varieties. Buy extra-firm tofu for this recipe.
Soy sauce: You can use regular soy sauce. I buy low sodium soy sauce, which is still very flavorful.
Corn starch: This ensures you get crispy results
Oil: I use olive oil, but you can use another neutral oil

How to Make Crispy Tofu

A block of tofu between paper towels with a black cast iron pan on top of it.

Press the tofu

To reduce the squish-factor, you’ll want to press out extra moisture from the tofu. Some people have a tofu press. But I’m low-tech and simply use paper towels and a cast iron pan to press tofu.

Place the tofu block on a plate between folded paper towels (or clean kitchen towel) and place a heavy object on top, like a cast iron skillet. Let it sit for 30-45 minutes, occasionally draining away the excess liquid.

Tofu being crumbled by hand over a glass bowl.

Break up the tofu

Instead of cutting it into tofu cubes, break it up into irregular bite-sized pieces. That way, you get more surface area for lightly frying it–which will make it crispy. Take the block of pressed tofu in your hands and crumble it into a mixing bowl.

A bowl of tofu pieces tossed with soy sauce.

Prep the tofu

Add 2 teaspoons of the oil, plus the soy sauce and corn starch to the tofu. The corn starch helps make the tofu crispy, so don’t skip that step.

Two pictures of a skillet of tofu. One before it's cooked and flipped, one after.

Pan fry the tofu

Add the remaining oil to a non-stick pan set on medium heat. Place your tofu pieces in a single layer in the pan of hot oil. Let it sit, undisturbed, for about 10 minutes. You can peek to make sure it’s not getting too brown too quickly.

Flip the tofu with a spatula (it may flip in a few big pieces). It will be a deep golden brown (see photo above). Let it cook for another 10 minutes.

A bowl of crispy tofu with broccoli and brown rice sits on a cloth napkin on a white countertop.

FAQ About Crispy Tofu

What should I serve with Crispy Tofu?

I suggest breaking up the pieces, and adding them to a bowl with rice and your favorite steamed or stir-fried veggies. Then drizzle everything with sauce such as teriyaki sauce, sweet soy sauce, or peanut sauce. I found that adding sauce to the pan and tossing the pieces in sauce resulted in a more soggy tofu. And that’s the opposite of what we’re going for here!

What should I do with leftover Crispy Tofu?

Put any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. Use within 3-5 days.

Can I use less oil?

Yes, but it may not turn out as crispy. This recipe uses just 4 teaspoons of oil, which works out to 1 teaspoon per serving.

A bowl of crispy tofu with broccoli and rice.

Is tofu good for you?

Yes! Soy is rich in high-quality protein, which means that (like meat) it contains all of the amino acids we need to get from food to build proteins in the body. There’s also evidence that soy foods may help lower risk of heart disease.

Is soy safe?

Yes! You may have heard rumors that soy is unhealthy–especially for kids. Some people worry that the isoflavones, natural plant compounds found in soy that have a similar chemical structure to estrogen, could interfere with puberty and development.

But research hasn’t found this to be true. And girls who eat soy as a teen and young adult may have a lower risk of breast cancer later in life.

What is tofu?

Tofu is made from soybeans that have been boiled down and separated into soy milk and soy pulp. The soy milk is formed into curds (like cheese is) and pressed. “Extra firm tofu” is pressed more than the softer “silken tofu” variety.

Where can I find tofu in the store?

Tofu is refrigerated, so you may find it in places like the produce section, the dairy department, or a “natural foods” refrigerated case. The varieties of tofu you may find included extra firm, firm, and silken.

The Best Crispy Tofu

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Put this crispy tofu into rice and veggie bowls and win over even the biggest tofu skeptics!

Ingredients

1 block extra firm tofu
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 teaspoons olive oil (divided)

Instructions

Press the tofu for 30-45 minutes to remove excess moisture. You can do this with either in a tofu press or by placing the block of tofu on a plate between paper towels or a clean kitchen cloth and putting something heavy on top (such as a cast iron pan). Drain away excess liquid.
In a medium bowl, break up the tofu with your hands, crumbling it into bite-sized pieces.
Add cornstarch, soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons olive oil to the tofu and toss well until pieces are covered.
Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil in a medium-large skillet set over medium heat. Add the tofu pieces in a single layer and let it cook undisturbed for 10 minutes. Flip carefully and cook for another 10 minutes.
Break up into servings and add to bowls or other recipes.

This Crispy Tofu Recipe Will Win Over Meat Eaters (Quick + Simple!)

A month’s worth of dinners, figured out for you.

Ingredients You Need for Crispy Tofu