The Best Crispy Tofu

Name: The Best Crispy Tofu
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari; 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 1/2 teaspoons pure maple syrup; 1-2 teaspoons sriracha; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 14 ounces extra firm tofu (pressed and cut into cubes); 5-6 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Crispy Tofu is an easy tofu recipe that also happens to be vegan and gluten-free! I’ve been making tofu for years and always come back to this base recipe which can be used so many different ways. Only 10 minutes of hands on prep and 5 minutes to cook!

crispy fried tofu served on two white plates with broccoli and rice

Crispy might be my favorite food word.

I would eat pretty much anything if you made it crispy. And while I love my best tofu recipe, it only gets better when crispy!

If you’re still afraid to make tofu, or you’ve had bad tofu (it happens) then hop on board because we’re getting on the tasty tofu train. It’s full of simple ingredients and an easy cooking method. Seriously, you can do this!

How to make tofu taste good

Are you totally new to tofu? Just sign up here and I’ll send you my 4 secrets to tofu success! If you’re also new to vegetarian and vegan cooking, I encourage you to read my post on how to transition to vegetarian.

Both of these resources will help you make great tasting tofu the very first time. It’s as easy as pressing, marinating, and pan frying.

What makes this the best crispy fried tofu recipe?

This recipe uses my favorite tofu marinade, which is easy to put together with pantry staples and tastes amazing!
The tofu gets crispy! Coating the tofu in cornstarch and then pan frying give the exterior a crisp texture really makes this dish.
It’s so easy to take this base recipe and use it many different ways. You can customize the marinade to your tastes or use the finished product in other recipes.

Ingredients

Tofu
Soy sauce
Lemon juice
Maple syrup
Garlic powder
Sriracha
Cornstarch
Coconut oil

tofu cut into smaller pieces on a bamboo cutting board

How to make crispy tofu

1. Press it

Using a tofu press is convenient, but not necessary. Read my post about how to press tofu without a press, or here’s an affiliate link if you just want to buy a tofu press.

You’re basically going to wrap the tofu in paper towel or a clean kitchen towel and put something heavy on top of the tofu. Let the water drain out for 15-30 minutes. The longer you press the firmer the tofu will be, and the crispier it will get!

2. Marinate

I like an easy tofu marinade made from soy sauce (tamari if you want to keep it gluten-free), lemon juice, maple syrup, sriracha, and garlic powder. 15-20 minutes will do the trick!

3. Toss with cornstarch

Remove the tofu from the marinade and toss with enough cornstarch to coat it. This is what will create that crispy exterior! You could also use arrowroot starch, but it can create a slimy texture when adding the tofu to a sauce, so cornstarch is my favorite.

4. Pan fry

Pan frying the tofu cooks it quickly and lets you get it crispy on all sides. Baking and air frying are also options, but I like how quick and easy it is on the stovetop.

Lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, and half a lemon ready to be used as marinade for The Best Crispy Tofu

Top tips

How to store fried tofu

Fried tofu is best enjoyed soon after cooking. However, you can keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave, in a pan on the stove with a little oil, or try throwing it in the air fryer. Leftovers will lose some of their crispiness.

crispy tofu on a white plate with broccoli and white rice

What kind of tofu to use

I recommend extra firm tofu when pan frying tofu. I like to buy organic, but it isn’t 100% necessary.

Extra firm tofu that you’ve pressed the water out of will give you the best texture possible. Anything softer might not hold together well when cooking.

Tips for customizing and serving crispy fried tofu

If you’re not feeling the crispiness, omit the cornstarch for my best tofu recipe
Serve with coconut rice, roasted broccoli, and a spoonful of sambal oelek
Add more or less sriracha to the marinade to suit your taste
Stir fry veggies and noodles to go alongside
Use whatever other tofu marinade you prefer, then toss with cornstarch and cook according to the recipe
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds at the end

FAQ

How do you make tofu crispy?

Cornstarch is the best way to make tofu crispy. After marinating, toss the tofu with cornstarch until a thin white powder covers it completely.

After that, we’re going to fry it in coconut oil. Then we’re going to try not to eat it all before sharing with others because it doesn’t get much better than this unless you’re enjoying it with the ones you love.

Can I freeze fried tofu?

I do not recommend freezing fried tofu. The texture just wouldn’t be the same.

Why is my tofu not crispy?

Your tofu may not get crispy if you didn’t press enough of the water out, used a softer tofu, or you didn’t coat it in enough cornstarch. Tofu also acts like a sponge, so make sure you aren’t using too much oil and you’re letting your oil get hot before adding your tofu. This allows it to cook rather than soak into the tofu.

What to serve with crispy tofu

More tofu recipes

More vegan recipes

simple tofu on a white plate with broccoli and rice

If you make this recipe be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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