I was wrong. It’s possible to bake tofu for 30-40 minutes and still get crispy tofu. But I was wrong.
This new and improved method worked so well that I now use it exclusively. It’s just that good. It’s so good. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of it sooner. It also cuts 5-10 minutes from the original method and allows you to add additional seasonings. Hello! Quick and crispy tofu.
Step 1. Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and wrap the extra-firm tofu in a kitchen cloth.
Step 1: Cut tofu into cubes and place in a bowl. Salt it and season the dish accordingly. Curry Powder to a Curry dish or a little tamari, chili garlic sauce, and tamari for a Stir-fry. I added mine to a curry dish (coming this week!) So, I chose curry powder.
Step 4: Heat oil on medium heat and sauté in it for 5 minutes, or until all sides are browned (shake the pan to ensure all sides cook evenly).
Step 4: Bake in the oven until golden and crispy, about 15 minutes. Mmmm, yes, please.
What can you do with crispy tofu now? Add it to Salads, Curries, Stir-fries, and more! Even though it is well seasoned on the outside, you can still use a thick sauce like my Stir-fry Glaze or Almond Butter Tofu glaze.
Ingredients
- Tofu: 14-16 ounces Extra Firm Tofu (extra Firm is Important)
- Sea salt is a healthy addition to any meal.
- Use 1 tsp of desired seasoning, such as chili powder, curry powder, tamari ta, tandoori spices, etc.
- If you don’t want to use oil, leave it out, but the tofu will stick to a pan without oil.
Instructions
- Wrap your extra-firm tofu with an absorbent towel and preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Use a heavy object, such as a cast-iron skillet, to press out the extra moisture. Do this for five minutes. Use a Tofu Press.
- Remove the tofu from its wrapper and cut it into small cubes. Add to a medium bowl, and add a pinch or two of salt. The seasoning will depend on the dish. I wanted to add it to a curry, so I used curry powder. Try adding a BBQ seasoning mix to a plate. If you are adding it to a Thai meal, use Thai Curry Powder. If you want to crisp it up and keep the flavor neutral, season it with salt.
- On medium heat, warm a large cast-iron or metal skillet. Once the skillet is hot, add oil and tofu seasoned with salt. Shake/flip the tofu occasionally, and cook for 5 minutes until it has a crust on both sides.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until tofu feels firm and begins to crisp up. The longer you bake it, the better it becomes. The 15-minute mark seemed to be just right.
- You can add crispy tofu to any dish! The tofu may be crisp and lightly seasoned, but it still benefits from a sauce. Try my Almond butter glaze or my Curry Sauce. The tofu is best when it’s fresh. However, you can store it in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat the dish in an oven at 375 degrees F (190 C).