How To Cook Tofu
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Preparation
Step 1
**How To Bake Tofu**
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Temperature: 400°F
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How long: 35-40 minutes
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How to know it’s done: golden brown, slightly crispy at the edges and chewy in the center
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Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes. Cut tofu into cubes or slabs and place in a glass dish.
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Step 2: Add a sauce or marinade over the tofu. A variety of oil or soy sauce based marinades work well.
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Step 3: Cover and allow tofu to marinate for about 30 minutes.
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Step 4: Transfer tofu to parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through. Marinade can be reserved and brushed onto tofu during the baking process for extra flavor.
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Step 5: Baked Tofu can be served as a main dish or added to noodle bowls, rice bowls, or salads.
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**How To Bake Crispy Tofu**
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Temperature: 425°F
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How long: 25 minutes
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How to know it’s done: golden brown, very crispy at the edges, and chewy in the center
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Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes. Cut tofu into cubes.
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Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
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Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt.
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Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you’d like.
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Step 5: Serve in your favorite bowl or stir fry, or toss in a sauce and eat as an appetizer!
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**How To Air Fry Tofu**
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Temperature: 400 degrees F
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How long: 10-15 minutes
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How to know it’s done: when it’s got a seriously delicious, crispy exterior!
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Step 1: Whisk up your sauce. Cornstarch (2.5 tablespoons), nutritional yeast (2.5 tablespoons), soy sauce (2 tablespoons), and oil (2 tablespoons). Add a pinch of all-purpose spice mix. Voila! It’s your batter.
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Step 2: Rip your tofu and toss it in. I like to rip the tofu apart because it gets those fun craggly edges that hold onto all the batter. So just… rip, toss it in, and give it a gentle stir to coat.
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Step 3: Air fry for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees F. I typically do 8-10 minute to start. Then give it a shake, and finish for another 5 minutes to get it extra nice and golden.
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**How To Sauté Tofu**
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Temperature: medium high heat
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How long: 20 minutes
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How to know it’s done: golden brown, slightly crispy at the edges and chewy in the center
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Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes and cut into cubes. Add a small amount of oil to a non-stick skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add tofu to pan and brown on each side for about 1-2 minutes for a total of about 15 minutes.
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Step 2: Once all sides of tofu are lightly golden brown, add about 1/4 cup of sauce.
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Step 3: Cook tofu, stirring frequently until sauce has been absorbed into tofu and caramelized around the edges creating a crispy exterior.
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Step 4: Add sautéed tofu to salads, stir fry, noodle bowls, or soup.
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**How To Fry Tofu**
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Temperature: medium high heat
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How long: 9-11 minutes
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How to know it’s done: both sides are golden and crispy
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Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for about 30 minutes and cut into triangles. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add tofu to the pan in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan. Allow tofu to cook, undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes or until the underside is golden brown and crispy.
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Step 2: Flip the tofu pieces and season the cooked side with salt. Allow the second side to cook for an additional 4 minutes or until the second side is golden brown and crispy. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel. Season second side with salt.
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Step 3: This crispy tofu can be tossed with a sauce after cooking for extra flavor. We used triangles of tofu, but cubed or sliced tofu works well with this cooking method, too. If cooking cubed tofu, flip onto all sides during the cooking process to ensure even crispiness.
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**How To Scramble Tofu**
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Temperature: medium high heat
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How long: 15-17 minutes
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How to know it’s done: tofu pieces are browned and crispy
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Step 1: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add pressed and sliced tofu to the pan. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break or ‘scramble’ the tofu into small pieces.
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Step 2: Once the tofu is scrambled, add some sauce or seasoning to the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes stirring or until all the tofu has been evenly coated in the seasoning or sauce and it has started to absorb into the tofu.
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Step 3: Then allow tofu to cook, undisturbed for about 4 minutes. This allows the tofu to become crispy. Give the tofu another quick stir to redistribute the cooking surface, and allow to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the tofu has achieved the desired crispiness. The longer you let the tofu cook undisturbed, the crispier the tofu will get.
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Chef's notes
Tofu is high in protein and low in fat, and is a great alternative in many dishes that have meat. It can be cooked in a flash and served in SO many ways.
If you want to stick with baking but are looking for a little/a lot more crispiness, this method will change your tofu life. If you try just one method, this is hands-down our favorite way to do it.
Air fried tofu is coated in a deliciously spiced batter, then air fried to perfection for the crispiest exterior.
Sauteed tofu is cooked with a small amount of oil and a bit of sauce to create a delightfully crispy exterior.
Frying tofu is a very simple and quick way to cook tofu. It achieves a reeeally golden crunchy exterior that makes for a hearty plant-based meal.
Scrambled tofu is similar to pan fried tofu, but instead of large pieces, the result is flavorful crispy bits of tofu that can be added to tacos, casseroles, bowls, and salads.