Crisp on the outside, firm on the inside, yummy bites of perfect tofu! Flash fried to keep it on the healthy side, this quick and easy recipe for Crispy Fried Tofu is a great addition to any vegan meal adding both protein and yummy goodness to bowls, noodles, salads, or even eaten alone with dipping sauce!
Crispy, flavorful, and bite sized! A killer combination that your palate will love. Not your typical boring tofu! This recipe is really good. And what makes this tofu so good is how it's seasoned and how it's fried. Cooked in a way that keeps it healthier, but still adds that crispy outer crunch. It's tofu with texture and a taste to stand behind it.
But I'm not going to lie. Tofu has never exactly been my favorite. It has grown on me. I've learned to like it more and more, but my love for tofu is still a work in progress. Yet, this tofu recipe is one that I truly enjoy and always go back to.
That being said, it's not all about me and what I like. It's about you. It's about the people I cook for. And they love this recipe! So there is that. In my world, when you make your living cooking for others, you cook what makes them happy and this recipe is a favorite!
How to Make Fried Tofu
This recipe is super easy to make and only requires just a few ingredients!
It's made by first pressing the tofu to get the water out. You can do this by wrapping the tofu in dish towels and then setting something heavy on top like a pan or book. The weight of the pan will help to push out as much liquid as possible, so that when cooked the tofu stays nice and firm. Then you will cut your tofu into bite size cubes.
Next, you will combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and turmeric in a medium size bowl with a whisk.
Now that you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go, you will heat 3 to 4 inches of oil to 390 to 400 degrees fahrenheit in a deep pot. Your pot should be no more than ⅓ full of oil. You can also do this in a deep fryer. Regardless of how you choose to fry the tofu, be sure to wear long sleeves and take safety precautions when working with hot oil.
Then once the oil has reached the right temperature, it's time to flash fry! Take a third of the tofu and toss it into the cornstarch mixture making sure to coat all sides of the tofu. Then carefully place the coated tofu into the hot oil right away. Cook the tofu for about 30 to 60 seconds using a heat proof spatula to swish the tofu around a bit making sure it's not sticking to the bottom of the pan or other cubes. Then remove the tofu with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. The fried tofu should be crisp and golden. Repeat the process with the remaining tofu.
And there you have it! Crispy, delicious, on the healthy side fried tofu!
Add the tofu to noodles, bowls, wraps, salads, or simply eat as is with a yummy dipping sauce! Shown in the photos here is a sesame orange sauce.
What is Flash Frying and Why is it Healthier?
The tofu in this recipe is prepared using a technique called flash frying. Flash frying is Chineses cooking method in which foods are fried at a very hot temperature for a short period of time. The hot oil creates a nice crust like a barrier locking in the flavor while keeping the oil from seeping into the food. Doing this creates food that is extra crispy, but not greasy making it a healthier way to fry food cutting down on both fat and calories.
Leftovers & Variations
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 6 days. To reheat, spread the tofu out on sheet pan and heat in the oven at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.
For variation, you can season the tofu with any spice you can think of! Curry powder, seasoning salt, cajun seasoning, or anything that you fancy. You can also use potato starch in place of cornstarch.
You will love this Crispy Fried Tofu because it's...
- Crispy fried and still on the healthy side
- Flavorful with every bite
- Fantastic as an addition to any meal or eaten alone
- A great source of protein
- Quick and easy to make
I hope you enjoy this recipe! And it teaches you what the right amount of seasoning and perfect cooking technique can do for your tofu game!
If you try this recipe please let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and rating. You can also hashtag #danceswithknives with a photo of your creation on Instagram where you can find me @dances_with_knives.
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Crispy Fried Tofu
Ingredients
- 16 oz extra firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- ⅓ cup cornstarch or potato starch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp salt
- Pinch turmeric for color (optional)
- Grapeseed oil for frying (peanut oil is another option)
Instructions
- Press all the water out of the tofu. You can do this by wrapping the tofu in dish towels and then setting something heavy on top like a pan or book. The weight of the pan will help to push as much liquid out as possible, so that when cooked the tofu stays nice and firm. Then cut your tofu into bite size cubes. Here some more help on how to press tofu if you have never done it before.
- Mix the cornstarch, garlic power, onion powder, salt, and turmeric in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Heat up 4 inches of oil in a deep pot to 390 to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Do not fill the pot up with more than ⅓ oil. You may also use a deep fryer if you have one.
- Once the oil has reached the correct temperature, toss a third of the cubed tofu into the cornstarch mixture. Make sure to coat all sides of the tofu cubes.
- Now place the coated tofu in the pot or fryer right away. Use a spatula to swish the tofu cubes around a few times to make sure they don’t stick together. Cook for about 30 to 60 seconds until the tofu is golden and crispy. You will want to fry the tofu in 2 to 3 batches so you don’t overcrowd the pot.
- Drain on a paper towel and repeat the process until all the tofu is fried.
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