How to fry crispy tofu
Pan-fry crispy tofu over medium heat for about 4–5 min per side (per side, cornstarch-dredged), until crisp and golden on both sides. Treat the time as a starting point: piece thickness, your pan and how hot your burner runs all change it, so go by the color and the cue rather than the clock.
- Heat
- Medium heat
- Method
- Pan fry
- Starting time
- 4–5 min per sideper side, cornstarch-dredged
- Piece size
- 1/2-inch-thick rectangles
- Done when
- crisp and golden on both sides
Numbers from The Woks of Life: Crispy Tofu. Celsius values are rounded.
Getting it right
- Use a heavy skillet that holds heat; cast iron and stainless both work.
- Heat a thin layer of oil over medium heat until it shimmers.
- Pat the food dry before any coating. Water on the surface spits in hot oil and steams the crust soft.
- Do not crowd the pan. Let a crust form before you try to move or turn anything.
- Finish on a rack or plate and serve promptly.
Crispy chili tofu