If you follow my Instagram stories you likely already know I’ve been tinkering with my How To Make Tofu Taste Good recipe to make the process even faster (20-25 minutes!).
I thought it wasn’t possible to make crispy tofu without baking it for at least 30-40 minutes. But, I was wrong.
One night when I was super hungry and desperate for dinner fast, I tried this new-and-improved method and it worked so well I’ve since used this one exclusively! It’s that good. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. Plus, it easily carves 5-10 minutes off of the original method and includes the opportunity to add more seasonings. Hello, quick and crispy tofu!
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C) and wrap your extra firm tofu (this is important – anything less than extra firm won’t crisp up as fast or as well) in a kitchen towel and set something heavy on top like a cast iron skillet.
Step 2: Cube tofu and add to a mixing bowl. Season with salt and, depending on what type of dish you’re adding it to, season accordingly (i.e. curry powder for a curry dish, or a bit of tamari and/or chili garlic sauce for a stir-fry). I was adding mine to a green curry (coming later this week!), so I went with curry powder.
Step 3: Sauté in oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until browned on all sides (shaking the pan as needed to cook all sides).
Step 4: Finish baking in the oven for about 15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Mmmm, yes, please.
Now what to do with crispy tofu? Add it to salads, curries, stir-fries and more! While seasoned well on the outside it will still benefit from a hearty sauce, like my stir-fry glaze, Almond Butter Tofu Glaze, or a NEW green curry sauce coming soon!
If you try this new-and-improved method, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Single Spices to ConsiderGalangal Powder: A touch of the exotic, ideal for imbuing your tofu with a unique, peppery zing.Turmeric: Bestows a resplendent golden hue and an earthy nuance, sublime for tofu scrambles.Smoked Paprika: Imparts a smoky profundity, just the ticket for a barbecue-style tofu escapade.
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Galangal Powder: A touch of the exotic, ideal for imbuing your tofu with a unique, peppery zing.
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Turmeric: Bestows a resplendent golden hue and an earthy nuance, sublime for tofu scrambles.
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Smoked Paprika: Imparts a smoky profundity, just the ticket for a barbecue-style tofu escapade.
Quick & Easy Crispy Tofu
- 14-16 ounces extra firm tofu (extra firm is important)
- 1 healthy pinch sea salt
- 1 tsp desired seasoning (such as curry powder, chili powder, tamari, tandoori spice, etc.)
- 1 Tbsp coconut, avocado or grape seed oil (if avoiding oil, skip this, but tofu may stick to a bare pan)
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and wrap your extra firm tofu in an absorbent towel. Set something heavy on top – like a cast iron skillet – to press out extra moisture for 5 minutes. Alternatively, use a tofu press.
- Unwrap tofu and cut into small cubes (see photo), then add to a medium mixing bowl and season with a pinch of salt and desired seasoning, which will vary depending on your dish. I was adding mine to a curry, so I added curry powder. If adding to a BBQ dish, try a BBQ seasoning blend. Or if adding to a Thai dish, try a Thai curry powder. If you want it to remain neutral in flavor and just crisp up, simply season with salt and skip the extra seasoning.
- Heat a large oven-safe metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and the seasoned tofu. Sauté for 5 minutes, shaking/flipping occasionally to cook on all sides, until tofu has a slight crust on each side and has begun to brown.
- Transfer skillet to oven to bake for about 15 minutes, or until the tofu is firm to the touch and has begun to dry out and crisp up. The longer it bakes, the firmer it gets. I found the 15-minute mark to be about right.
- Now you have crispy tofu to add to virtually any dish you’d like! While the tofu is crispy and slightly seasoned, it does still benefit from a sauce, such as Peanut Sauce, my Almond Butter Glaze, a Curry Sauce, or my Garlic Dill Sauce. Best when fresh, but can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375 degree F (190 C) oven until very hot.
Here are five spices and herbs that can perk up your tofu and transform it from dull to delicious!
Tune into your southern self and use paprika to enhance tofu. Paprika is used in many southern, creole dishes and is an essential international spice for any plant-based kitchen. Paprika has intense smokey flavors that make it great for using in tofu marinades or as a tofu rub. For a go-to paprika flavored tofu meal, try this Perfect Baked Tofu. Since many cajun-style dishes use meat as a protein source, substituting tofu in place of animal products is a great option for plant-based eaters. Try this Cauliflower Etouffee With Andouille and simply replace the seitan andouille sausages with tofu. If you’re not in the mood for cajun bites, try out the Un’Chicken Marinade in these 6 Fantastic Marinades for Tofu. Using paprika, this marinade is perfect for a comforting, satisfying meal.
Turmeric is an Indian spice with powerful nutritional and health benefits. Turmeric has amazing anti-inflammatory qualities, making it a particularly great spice for plant-based athletes. Turmeric has strong, earthy flavors and can really enhance the taste of tofu unlike no other spice. There are simple tricks for using turmeric in your cooking, making it easy to pair with tofu in different ways. For a quick fix on perking up tofu, make these Egg Salad Sandwiches. Using tofu instead of eggs, quality bread, and just a dash of this super spice, your tofu will have smokey bites that are sure to improve any sandwich. Turmeric is also a great spice to add into tofu scrambles. For an anytime meal, this Sweet Potato Tofu Pizza uses turmeric tofu to balance out the naturally sweeter flavors of sweet potatoes.
Salt and pepper are classic spices for nearly any dish. These two spices are crucial as they bring out the more subtle, natural flavors found in food. Try sprinkling salt and pepper on these Crispy Tofu Nuggets for a more enjoyable bite. Salt and pepper are also wonderful to add to plant-based Italian meals. Many vegan Italian dishes use fresh vegetables and a tofu-based cheese. Using salt and pepper will bring out the bursting flavors of vegetables, while accommodating to the richness of the tofu. Make this Yummy Vegan Lasagna with a sprinkle of each spice to truly enhance your meal.
Nothing tastes quite like spring like fresh herbs do. Dill is one of my favorite herbs to use when cooking plant-based meals. Dill has a tangy zest and it is perfect for adding to stews, sauces and pickling. Dill pairs well with many different plant-based foods and is a great herb to enhance any meal with tofu. Like turmeric, dill adds an excellent flavor to picnic salads. This Vegan ‘Egg Mayonnaise’ Sandwich would taste refreshing with an extra pinch of dill added. For another refreshing take on tofu, try making this Lemony Baked Tofu and sprinkle dill on before baking. Dill is a great companion for light sauces like lemon juice, soy cause, or a remoulade.
The Best Spices for Making Tofu Taste Good!
FAQ
What seasonings go best with tofu?
What can I add to tofu to make it taste better?
How do I season my tofu?
What not to mix with tofu?
What spices go well with tofu?
Turmeric is also a great spice to add into tofu scrambles. For an anytime meal, this Sweet Potato Tofu Pizza uses turmeric tofu to balance out the naturally sweeter flavors of sweet potatoes. 2. Dill Nothing tastes quite like spring like fresh herbs do. Dill is one of my favorite herbs to use when cooking plant-based meals.
Does tofu have to be cooked?
Tofu, produced from soybeans, is a protein source of vegetable origin, it does not necessarily need to be cooked, it can be consumed as a cheese substitute.
Can you add other seasonings to tofu?
If you feel like experimenting in the kitchen, you could add all sorts of other seasonings. The general rule is to make a marinade with wet ingredients and powder or sprinkle oil on the tofu cubes before adding powder. Once you have these methods sorted, you can experiment with ingredients!
What can I add to a tofu marinade?
The suggestions for adding maple syrup and honey for sweetness or lemon juice for fresh citrus flavor are also good ideas for a tofu marinade. Or, if you’re wondering how to add more culturally diverse flavors to tofu, consider browsing recipes from around the world.