Pan-Fried Soft Tofu

5 from 4 votes

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese, Asian

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: 1 bowl

Calories: 519kcal

Author: Kelly

Cost: $2.05

For a quick, vegan, protein-packed dinner with tons of savoury flavour, I choose pan fried tofu. It uses the most basic ingredients and goes well with anything.

Print Recipe

US Imperial (Cups) - Metric (Grams)

Equipment

Medium to large skillet
Metal spatula ((I recommend using a fish spatula))

Ingredients

1 tube silken tofu or soft tofu (see Note 1)
¼ cup cornstarch or tapioca starch
1 tsp garlic powder (*optional)
½ tsp kosher salt or 1/4 tsp fine salt
2 tbsp cooking oil (use one with a high smoking point like avocado oil)
1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

Drain 1 tube silken tofu or soft tofu and pat dry thoroughly with a kitchen towel. Gently slice into 1-inch thick pieces.
Mix 1/4 cup cornstarch or tapioca starch, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt or 1/4 tsp fine salt together in a bowl. Add tofu pieces to this bowl one by one and coat each side in cornstarch. (Add more cornstarch as needed.)
Add 2 tbsp cooking oil to a wok or skillet on medium-high heat. If you have a laser thermometer, the pan should read 400 °F. Add tofu in a single layer; they should start sizzling instantly. Fry in batches if you have to (replenish the oil if it gets absorbed).
Flip the tofu as they brown on the bottom until all sides are crispy and golden, being careful not to break them apart. Once they're done, transfer them to a plate or bowl.
Drizzle with 1 tbsp soy sauce and eat as is or read above for 3 ways to take this recipe further.

Notes

I love using the variety of silken or soft tofu that comes in a tube. If you're vegan, just pay attention to the label because many of these tubes contain egg tofu instead of regular silken tofu. If you can't find the tofu that comes in tubes, no worries. You can use any type of plain tofu. I prefer a medium tofu or softer because I love biting into a crunchy tofu with crispy breading on the outside and juicy softness on the inside. While silken tofu is my favourite, medium-firm is also great because the pieces are still juicy but aren't as fragile as soft or silken.

Nutrition