Baked or fried, this is how to cook tofu to make it crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, and perfect for stir frys, salad, soups, rice bowls, and more.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Vegetarian
Keyword tofu
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Total Time 45 minutesminutes
Servings 6
Calories 46kcal
Ingredients
1 14-ounceblock firm tofu
1tablespooncornstarch or rice flour
2tablespoonscanola oil
¼teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Start with draining the tofu: Place a folded paper towel on a plate under the tofu, then place another folded paper towel on top of the tofu. Place another plate on top of the tofu and weigh it down with a bowl filled with something heavy to express the liquid from the tofu. Let sit for 10 minutes, replacing the paper towels midway through draining. Slice the tofu into bite size pieces and add to a bowl and set aside.
If marinating, do so now.
When ready to cook, gently toss the cornstarch or rice powder with the tofu, lightly coating it on all sides.
For the Crispy Fried Tofu
Heat a wok or non-stick skillet over high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of canola oil to the wok. When the oil ripples, add the tofu. In batches, cook the tofu undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until it’s crisp and golden underneath then carefully turn with tongs or chopsticks to brown the other side. Transfer the cooked tofu to a plate lined with paper towels and season with kosher salt. Eat immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
For the Baked Tofu
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Tap any extra cornstarch or rice powder from the tofu and place on the baking sheet in one layer, evenly spaced apart. Bake for 20-30 minutes, flipping half way through if you like. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with salt. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Notes
For crispy tofu, eat the tofu while it's hot. If making the tofu for refrigerating and eating later, you can skip tossing with the cornstarch or rice flour. If marinating the tofu, do so before tossing in the cornstarch or rice flour.