What is crispy tofu?

Crispy tofu is so tempting, perfectly tasty, cubes, blocks or slices of deliciously prepped tofu that’s been fried until golden brown with a satisfying crunchy coating. 

If you’ve ever experienced the delightful bite of a crisp outer crunch, making way for pillowy soft tofu beneath, you already know how good it is. If you haven’t, well you’ve got something exquisite to look forward to. And you’re in just the right place if you’re looking for some top crispy tofu tips (and links to some tasty crispy tofu recipes too). 

How to make crispy tofu

So, now you know crispy tofu is something you make, we’ve got a kitchen cupboardful of handy hints to help you whip up some irresistibly tasty crispy tofu. 

It starts with taking as much moisture out of your tofu as you can. Classic tofu needs to be pressed before you prep it. But did you know our Extra Firm Tofu doesn't need any pressing at all? This makes it ideal if you’re in a rush or new to cooking with tofu. 

However, if it's a block of Authentic Tofu on your chopping board, be sure to press it first. Wrap it up in kitchen roll, pop something heavy on top (recipe books, heavy tins etc will do it), then wait. Ten to twenty minutes is recommended, but the longer you press the firmer it gets.   

Keep an eye on the paper and change it if you see it’s getting very wet. Another top tip is to cut the block into smaller pieces before pressing, but only do this if you’ll need smaller pieces for your recipe, of course!  

Crunch time – how to cook crispy tofu

The beauty of tofu is how willingly it soaks up flavours. So, sprinkle it with some salt and pepper, and any other herbs, spices or marinades your recipe calls for. 

But when it comes to the crunch, you need to find a way to seal your tofu with a crispy edge. Here, cornflour is your friend. 

You can add garlic powder, spices and seeds too, then simply toss your tofu in it and fry it up in olive oil. It’s one of the easiest ways to get beautifully crisp tofu. You can create crispy tofu in the air fryer or oven too. And you might want to try it coated in tasty panko breadcrumbs. 

How to cook crispy tofu in the air fryer

Tofu’s so versatile you can easily fill it with flavour. Crispy tofu chunks are perfect in buddha bowls and on mezze plates. Follow these steps for perfect crispy tofu made in the air fryer in just 15 minutes: 

• Grab a bowl and throw in your chosen tofu – make sure you’ve pressed your tofu if it needs it!

• Add your seasonings and coat your tofu (we’re big fans of garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper and onion powder)

• Throw in a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch to create that crunch

• Once everything is nicely coated, pop it in the air fryer

• Add a dash of oil (sesame oil is a good choice) to make things extra crispy 

• Cook for around 10 minutes, shaking the basket every now and then to make sure everything is evenly cooked

Crispy tofu recipes

Below we’ve put together a line-up of crispy tofu recipes - air fryer and oven based - to see you right through the day.