Crispy Tofu

Tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in many different ways. When coated in a crispy breading and fried, tofu becomes an irresistible snack or meal component with a satisfying crunch. Discover the secrets to making perfectly crispy baked or pan-fried tofu at home.

An Introduction to Tofu

Tofu, also known as bean curd, is a food made from condensed soy milk. The milk is curdled and pressed into solid white blocks. Tofu is valued for its high protein content, meaty texture, and ability to absorb flavors. It's popular in many Asian cuisines and vegetarian/vegan diets. When prepared correctly, tofu can become delightfully crispy on the outside while remaining tender on the inside.

Health Benefits of Tofu

Tofu offers several nutritional benefits:

• It's an excellent source of protein, providing around 20 grams per 1 cup serving.
• Tofu contains no cholesterol and is low in saturated fat.
• It's a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese.
• Tofu contains isoflavones, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Enjoying tofu in moderation as part of a balanced diet can support overall health.

Types of Tofu

There are a few main varieties of tofu, each with slightly different properties:

• Firm - Dense and sturdy, holds shape well when cooked.
• Extra Firm - Very dense, ideal for stir fries or grilling.
• Soft - More delicate, suitable for blending into smoothies.
• Silken - Smooth, custardy texture perfect for desserts.

For crispy tofu, firm or extra firm varieties work best.

Key Steps for Achieving Crispy Tofu

It takes just a few key steps to transform plain tofu into a crispy snack or meal accompaniment:

1. Press the Tofu

Before cooking, drain the tofu block and wrap in paper towels. Place something heavy like a cast iron pan on top to press out excess moisture for 15-30 minutes. This helps remove water so the tofu can get crispy.

2. Cut and Coat

Cut pressed tofu into cubes or desired shapes. Coat thoroughly in a mixture like corn starch, flour, breadcrumbs or panko. Press coating onto the tofu so it adheres.

3. Fry or Bake

For pan-frying, heat 1-2 inches oil to 350°F and fry tofu pieces for 2-5 minutes until crispy and golden brown. For baking, arrange tofu on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping once.

Choosing a Coating

The coating is key for achieving irresistibly crispy tofu. Consider these crunchy coating options:

Cornstarch

Cornstarch and a bit of flour creates a light, crispy coating. The starch puffs up when fried. Add garlic powder, paprika or cayenne for flavor.

Flour

For a simple crunchy coating, dredge in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Use all-purpose or a gluten-free flour blend.

Panko Breadcrumbs

Japanese panko crumbs create an extra crispy, flaky texture. Coat tofu in flour first, then dip in beaten egg and finally press into panko.

Crushed Crackers

For a fun, crunchy coating, use crushed saltine crackers, Ritz crackers, pretzels or potato chips. Add spices for flavor.

Nuts

Finely chop nuts like almonds, peanuts or cashews and use as coating. Pistachios orhazelnuts also pair well with tofu.

Mix and match coatings to invent your own signature crispy tofu!

Flavoring Crispy Tofu

Crispy tofu is delicious on its own, but you can also add lots of flavor. Consider these ideas:

Season the Coating

Mix spices, herbs or citrus zest into your dry coating ingredients. Chili powder, curry powder, garlic powder and cayenne add punch.

Use a Wet Coating

Soak tofu in sauce ingredients before breading. Try BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, orange juice, ketchup, salad dressing or buffalo wing sauce.

Toss in Sauce

After frying, toss crispy tofu pieces in your favorite dipping sauce like sweet chili sauce, ranch, barbecue, buffalo, or orange ginger.

Top with Flavorings

Sprinkle fried or baked tofu with ingredients like sesame seeds, chopped scallions, shaved Parmesan, chili crisp, furikake or nutritional yeast.

Serving Ideas for Crispy Tofu

Crispy tofu can be served as an appetizer, side, main dish or topping. Creative serving ideas include:

Appetizers

Toss crispy tofu in buffalo wing sauce. Serve with celery sticks and ranch dip as game day finger food.

Salads and Bowls

Top salads, grain bowls, noodle bowls with crispy chili lime tofu for protein-packed crunch.

Stir Fries

Add crispy ginger sesame tofu cubes to vegetable stir fries for texture.

Sandwiches

Use crispy tofu fingers in place of chicken in sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, avocado.

Tacos

Serve crispy tofu pieces tossed in Tex-Mex spices in tacos or burritos.

Pizza Topping

Top homemade or store-bought pizza with crispy cubed tofu for a fun plant-based riff.

Get creative with toppings and seasonings to customize crispy tofu for any dish.

Baked Crispy Tofu Recipe

This easy recipe yields crispy baked tofu without deep frying. It makes a healthy high-protein snack or addition to Asian dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 block extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
• 1⁄4 cup cornstarch
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1⁄4 tsp salt
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
3. In a bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, paprika and salt.
4. Add tofu cubes and toss gently to coat on all sides.
5. Arrange tofu in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, gently flipping once halfway, until crispy and golden brown.
7. Enjoy crispy tofu immediately while hot and crunchy.

For extra flavor, toss the hot crispy tofu in your favorite sauce. Crispy baked tofu keeps well for several days refrigerated.

Tips for Perfect Crispy Tofu

Follow these helpful tips:

• Press the tofu block very well before cooking to remove moisture.
• Cut the tofu evenly so pieces cook at the same rate.
• Use a thin, light coating so the tofu gets crispy vs. soggy.
• Get the oil hot enough before frying for light crispiness.
• Blot fried tofu pieces on paper towels to remove excess grease.
• Eat crispy tofu immediately after cooking for best texture.
• Store leftovers in the fridge and re-crisp by baking or frying.

With these tips, you can easily achieve restaurant-style crispy tofu at home!

The History of Tofu

Tofu has been an important source of protein for centuries:

Origins in China

Tofu originated in ancient China, where it was first made around 164 BCE during the Han Dynasty by coagulating soy milk and pressing the curds.

Spread Through Asia

Over the centuries, tofu spread across East and Southeast Asia as a protein-rich meat substitute in vegetarian Buddhist cuisines.

Arrival in the West

Tofu first arrived in Europe and North America in the early 1900s with the rise of soybean trading and continued increasing in popularity as interest in vegetarianism grew.

Modern Popularity

Today tofu is widely available and used in many types of cuisine all over the world, prepared in diverse ways - including crispy and fried.

Crisp-fried tofu builds on centuries of tradition!

Conclusion

When coated in a light crispy breading and fried, tofu transforms from a simple protein into an irresistible snack or accompaniment to meals. Preparing crispy tofu at home is easy with just a few steps like pressing, coating and frying or baking the tofu pieces. Let your creativity run wild by seasoning or sauce-coating the tofu before cooking and garnishing it after. Crispy tofu brings delightful texture to grain bowls, salads, sandwiches, stir fries and more. Staying meatless never tasted so good!

FAQs

What is the best oil for frying tofu?

The best oils for frying tofu crispy include avocado, grapeseed, peanut, sunflower, safflower, and light olive oil since they have high smoke points and neutral flavors.

Should you freeze tofu before frying?

Yes, freezing tofu then thawing it before frying can make it even crisper. Freezing creates ice crystals that change the tofu’s texture.

What goes well with crispy tofu?

Crispy tofu pairs deliciously with rice, noodles, stir fried veggies, salads, sandwiches and more. It's also great drizzled with flavorful sauces and sprinkle toppings.

Is baked tofu as crispy as fried?

Baked tofu can get very crispy with the right preparation but pan frying generally yields crisper results since the tofu is submerged and cooked in hot oil.

Can you air fry tofu to make it crispy?

Yes, air frying is a great way to cook crispy crunchy tofu without deep frying. Just coat tofu cubes, mist with oil spray and air fry at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, tossing halfway.

Crispy tofu is simple to make at home and adds delicious flavor and texture to plant-based meals. Coat with your favorite seasonings or sauces to customize this versatile treat.