How to Cook Tofu in Six Ways

Learn how to cook tofu in six easy ways that actually yields super crispy and flavorful tofu.

5 from 40 votes

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Course: Main Dish, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Keyword: Air-fried tofu, Baked tofu, Crispy tofu, Easy cooking tofu, Fried tofu, How to Cook Tofu, Microwave tofu, Pan-fry tofu, Scramble tofu

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 20

Servings:

Calories: 76kcal

Author: Sophie

Cost: $5

Cut tofu length-wise, and into small but thick strips(around
1-2 inches).
Layer tofu strips on a microwave safe bowl.
Add vegan Chicken broth powder and oil spray(this is what I
used) or just salt, pepper or soy + sriracha marinade. Give a good stir
carefully.
Layer the tofu again in the bowl. Cook in microwave for 5 to 6 minutes until tofu looks
dehydrated and chewy.
Make sure to turn the tofu strips upside down after three
minutes for an even cooking.

Start with preheating your oven to 350F.
Marinate drained tofu with spices or sauces of your choice.
I prefer – curry powder, salt, garlic powder and oil or soy + sriracha sauce.
Keep the tofu marinated for half hour or more.
Now transfer the tofu pieces to a lined baking tray and bake
for 45 minutes. Don’t forget to turn the tofu bites halfway through cooking.
Allow the tofu bites to cool down completely before storing.

Sauté:
Heat a cast iron or a nonstick pan. If using cast iron, grease the pan with few drops of oil before heating it. Now add marinated pieces of tofu and cook in low to medium heat. Ensure to turn each tofu pieces gently after few minutes so that each side cooks perfectly.
It may take up to 15-20 minutes for each batch of tofu to cook perfectly crispy.
Fry:
Add 4-5 tablespoon of oil in a flat bottom pan – preferably cast iron. Add marinated pieces to the hot oil and fry till each side turns golden brown. Cook in medium temperature so that tofu pieces don’t burn in the pan. Allow each side to cook for 4-5 minutes in the hot oil.
NOTE: Slice the tofu medium-thin for the best results.
Scramble:
This the BEST tofu dish in my opinion. If you want to scramble tofu, start with drained extra-firm or firm tofu. Add a few drops of oil to the pan and allow the pan to heat uniformly. Now add tofu, break it with your spatula and allow it to cook properly before seasoning. You can also add pre-cooked veggies, spring onions and herbs to the scrambled tofu.
If making Indian style, add some curry powder and turmeric for a nice yellowish hue and a mellow curry flavor. Cook until the tofu crumbles are brown and feel dry.

Add marinated tofu in air fryer and cook it at 370 F for 15-20 minutes until the edges are crispy. (It took 12-15 minutes in my air fryer)
Don’t forget to turn the tofu cubes after 10 minutes so that
each side gets cooked.

NOTE:

As the tofu cooks in the microwave, they tend to stick to each other. A non-stick oil spray really helps here.
Also, the tofu strips layered around the edge of the bowl cook faster than the ones the middle. Make sure to keep a constant check and remove the cooked tofu strips to avoid super-chewy or hard tofu.
If your tofu strips become hard due to overcooking, don’t worry. Add them to a broth or in curries, and they will beautifully soak the sauce and swell up without losing that nice bite.
Spray with some oil and use cornstarch for a crispier texture. (For Baking)

Calories: 76kcal