How To Cook Tofu (2024)

How to Cook Tofu! All our go-to ways to prepare tofu: baked, crispy, sautéed, fried, and scrambled. Perfect for a variety of meals. YUM!

This post was originally published back in 2018, but thanks to our deep deep love for tofu, we wanted to share it again with our new favorite way to cook it (crispy baked tofu forever!) plus a new video.

Tofu! Familiar to some and bizarre to many. It can be baked, fried, sautéed, marinated, scrambled – in short: it can really do it all. And newsflash: you don’t need to be vegetarian to partake!

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 (see below!). Honestly, it’s truly just the best.

Here’s what we’ll go over in this guide:

How to Bake Tofu
How to Bake CRISPY Tofu
How to Air Fry Tofu
How to Sauté Tofu
How to Fry Tofu
How to Scramble Tofu
Frequently Asked Questions about how to prep + cook tofu

Let’s do it!

Watch All Our Favorite Ways To Cook Tofu:

In these examples, we used this sesame peanut sauce recipe. It’s our favorite to use with tofu!

How To Bake Tofu

Temperature: 400°F
How long: 35-40 minutes
How to know it’s done: golden brown, slightly crispy at the edges and chewy in the center

Baked Tofu is a great way to prepare a large quantity of chewy bites of tofu that can get tossed with sauce and added to noodle bowls and or a stir fry. This method is also helpful because it frees up stove top space while preparing other elements of your recipe.

Instructions

Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes. Cut tofu into cubes or slabs and place in a glass dish.

Step 2: Add a sauce or marinade over the tofu. A variety of oil or soy sauce based marinades work well.

Step 3: Cover and allow tofu to marinate for about 30 minutes.

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.

How To Bake Crispy Tofu

Temperature: 425°F
How long: 25 minutes
How to know it’s done: golden brown, very crispy at the edges ,and chewy in the center

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.

Instructions

Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes. Cut tofu into cubes.

Step 2: Place those cubes in a bowl, and toss gently with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

Step 3: Arrange tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with some olive oil and salt.

Step 4: Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until as crispy as you’d like.

Step 5: Serve in your favorite bowl or stir fry, or toss in a sauce and eat as an appetizer!

How To Air Fry Tofu

Temperature: 400 degrees F
How long: 10-15 minutes
How to know it’s done: when it’s got a seriously delicious, crispy exterior!

Air fried tofu is coated in a deliciously spiced batter, then air fried to perfection for the crispiest exterior. Get the full instructions here!

Instructions

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.

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.

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.

How To Sauté Tofu

Temperature: medium high heat
How long: 20 minutes
How to know it’s done: golden brown, slightly crispy at the edges and chewy in the center

Sauteed tofu is cooked with a small amount of oil and a bit of sauce to create a delightfully crispy exterior.

Instructions

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.

Step 2: Once all sides of tofu are lightly golden brown, add about 1/4 cup of sauce.

Step 3: Cook tofu, stirring frequently until sauce has been absorbed into tofu and caramelized around the edges creating a crispy exterior.

Step 4: Add sautéed tofu to salads, stir fry, noodle bowls, or soup.

How To Fry Tofu

Temperature: medium high heat
How long: 9-11 minutes
How to know it’s done: both sides are golden and crispy

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.

Instructions

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.

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.

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.

If desired you can add a sauce toward the end of the cooking process and flip tofu over to coat and allow sauce to brown at the edges. If planning to add sauce during cooking process, use slightly less oil while frying to avoid splattering and an overly oily sauce.

How To Scramble Tofu

Temperature: medium high heat
How long: 15-17 minutes
How to know it’s done: tofu pieces are browned and crispy

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.

Instructions

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.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tofu

So…What IS Tofu?

Tofu is a soy-based, high protein, low fat, delicious block that (as you can see) can do just about anything. Legend has it that tofu was discovered over 2,000 years ago in China. 2,000 YEARS. Today, it can be silken, soft, firm, extra firm, or super firm and purchased at most grocery stores.

Do You Have To Cook Tofu?

Technically, tofu does not need to be cooked. It is ready to eat straight out of the package.

The most common tofu to eat raw is silken tofu. It’s often used in vegan desserts to achieve a creamy texture. For example, this mind-blowing vegan chocolate pie.

Firm tofu, while able to eat raw, is best used in various cooking applications.

Pressing Tofu with Everyday Kitchen Items

Tofu contains a large amount of water when it comes out of the package. In order to bake, fry, or scramble tofu, it’s best to press out as much water as possible before cooking. The longer you press your tofu, the firmer the texture will be and the easier it will be to achieve a nice crispy texture.

If you make a lot of tofu, you may want to purchase a tofu press designed specifically for pressing out the water from tofu.

If you do not have a tofu press, you can use standard kitchen items to help with this process.

Line a baking sheet with several layers of paper towel
Drain your tofu block and place on top of paper towel lined baking sheet
Place 2-3 more layers of paper towel on top of tofu block
Place a heavy skillet or second baking sheet on top
Weight the skillet down with a few canned goods
Allow tofu to press for about 30 minutes
If pressing longer, place baking sheet set up in the refrigerator while it presses

This pressing method works best on firm or extra firm tofu. It is not recommended to press silken or soft tofu.

How Do You Cut Tofu?

Tofu can be cut in a variety of shapes and sizes. Once you have pressed your tofu, most shapes start by cutting the block of tofu into 1/4 inch – 1/2 inch thick slices.

From there, you can cut the tofu into small cubes, triangles, or leave them as slices for more of a tofu steak. Cubes of tofu are very versatile and can pretty much be used in most cooking applications.

What Kind of Tofu Should I Use?

Tofu comes in a range of firmness from silken to extra firm.

Extra firm tofu has the tightest curds and can stand up to hearty cooking methods, such as pan frying and baking.
Firm tofu is often used in traditional Asian soups such as hot and sour soup and miso soup.
Silken Tofu is perfect for making creamy, vegan desserts or any in any recipe that requires the tofu to be blended.

Favorite Tofu Recipes We Love

If you’re looking for a little more direction, here are the five most popular tofu recipes on the blog:

You can also check out our full list of easy tofu recipes:

FAQs

How to cook tofu properly? ›

Instructions. 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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How do you know when tofu is cooked enough? ›

If you're cooking slices or cubes, cut the tofu into slices, layer them between paper towels and weigh down the individual slices. The finished tofu should be spongy yet dry (you'll need to weigh it down for 30 minutes to 2 hours).

How do you cook tofu so it's not rubbery? ›

Buy firm or extra firm tofu - it's marked on the package.
Press on it to squeeze some of the water out.
Slice it in triangles about 1/2 inch thick.
You can deep fry if you like, or just fry them in a flat pan in shallow oil, turning once (tongs may work better than a spatula)
Drain and then pat dry with paper towels.

More items...

Feb 15, 2023

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What happens if you don't cook tofu properly? ›

It's no more dangerous than most other foods, and when compared to certain items, like salad leaves or raw chicken, it has a much lower risk of food poisoning even if prepared carelessly. Of course, we recommend that you always take the proper precautions with any food you plan to eat or serve.

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Should I wash tofu before cooking? ›

After removing the tofu from its package, rinse it and then remove the water. For soft tofu, just drain it and blot it dry; but for medium, firm and extra-firm tofu, simple draining isn't enough—you need to press the water out. Think of it this way: Tofu is porous, like a sponge.

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Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

Baking is my go-to method for how to cook tofu. It yields flavorful, firm cubes that are perfect for adding to a stir fry, salad, or bowl!

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Is it OK to undercook tofu? ›

Compared with eating raw meat or eggs, eating raw tofu poses minimal risk of foodborne illness due to the fact that tofu itself is a cooked food. Still, eating raw tofu may increase your risk of certain foodborne illnesses, depending on how it was prepared.

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Can you pan fry tofu? ›

To pan fry the tofu: Pour the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the tofu in a single layer (working in batches if needed) and let it brown on all sides. You'll know it's ready when each cube is nice and golden brown.

What to season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

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What happens if you don't press tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

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Why is my tofu not getting crispy in the pan? ›

Tofu FAQS. Why isn't my tofu getting crispy? It might be due to the oil you're using. I strongly recommend cooking with an oil that is stable in high heat (like avocado) to promote crispiness - when I've used olive oil I find my tofu doesn't get as crispy.

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How to prepare tofu from a package? ›

Take the tofu out of the pack. Put it on a plate.
Put another plate on top. ...
Slice the tofu into slabs each the size of a deck of cards.
Pan-fry the tofu in a bit of oil and garlic until the tofu gets a bit brown, then flip and repeat. ...
Add a dash of oyster sauce. ...
Remove the tofu to a plate.

Aug 27, 2010

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Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Why is my tofu slimy but not smelly? ›

Use all your senses to tell if a food has gone bad by looking, touching and smelling the tofu. Spoiled tofu tends to have a darker color of tan or even brown. Mold may form on the surface or you may see discoloration. Tofu that has gone bad also tends to be slimy and have a sour or rotten odor – fresh tofu has no odor.

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What cannot be eaten with tofu? ›

BAD COMBO #3: Nuts and Tofu

Phytates — found in nuts, seeds and whole grains — can block the absorption of iron, something plant-based folks need to give extra consideration to when planning their meals. For instance, tofu and other soy products are an easy and protein-packed way for veg-heads to get their iron.

How do you cook tofu like they do in restaurants? ›

You can bake, pan-fry, or deep fry your tofu.

All methods work well, but if you want it truly crispy like the kind you may get at your favorite Asian restaurant, you need to deep fry it or at least use a lot of oil while pan-frying.

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Should you boil or steam tofu? ›

Steaming is an easy and healthy way to prepare tofu, and ensures a velvety smooth texture. You should only steam regular or silken tofu; other types of tofu are too firm. Place the natural tofu in a container and put this container in the basket of a steamer.

Do you have to drain tofu before cooking? ›

Most recipes (frying, stir-frying or deep-frying) require the tofu to be drained well and patted dry before cooking. This is logical, as moist tofu doesn't absorb marinades or spices and splatters in the pan. To pat dry, place a triple layer of paper towel on a wooden board or a deep plate.

Can I eat raw tofu? ›

Both cooked and uncooked tofu is a good source of iron, calcium, and magnesium among other things. Yes, you can eat tofu raw tofu. Tofu is made from soybean curds. It is a great source of protein and healthy addition to your diet.

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