Best 8 Pan Fried Tofu Recipes

THE BEST PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Take your block of tofu and wrap it in several layers of paper towels.
• Gently press the tofu with your hands or against the counter top to release the liquid. This will take about a minute.
• Slice the tofu into pieces about 1/2 an inch thick.
• Set tofu aside.
• If you are using a non-stick pan heat it slightly on medium-high heat (about 30 seconds) before adding oil.
• If you are using a cast iron pan, please heat for about 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes on medium-high heat. Cast iron is very thick and you want the pan to be heated evenly before adding the tofu.
• Add oil to heated pan.
• Gently spread oil over the entire surface of the pan.
• Set the tofu pieces in the pan, leaving ample room between them. They should sizzle when placed in the oil. Sprinkle the tops with salt and a little cayenne pepper.
• Now, the MOST IMPORTANT step is -- LEAVE THEM ALONE for about 6 or 7 minutes. Just gently shake them to make sure they don't stick to the pan. Do NOT turn them or agitate them in any other way. When you see a golden crust beginning to creep its way up the sides of the slices, turn them and spice the other side. Add more oil if the pan seems too dry.
• The second side will only take about 4 minutes to cook.
• When they are evenly browned take them out of the pan and place them on paper towels to drain.
• These are very simply seasoned and basic and can now be used any way you like. I like these with steamed broccoli and peanut sauce -- or in a sandwich with grilled peppers and mushrooms and aioli -- or just eaten with ketchup:-).

SIMPLE PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Place tofu onto a plate and place another plate on top. Set a 3 to 5 pound weight on top. Press tofu for 20 to 30 minutes; drain and discard the accumulated liquid.
• Cut tofu into 2x4-inch strips about 1/4-inch thick.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook tofu strips in the oil until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Stack tofu strips horizontally in a dish with sloping sides, like a teacup saucer.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the same skillet. Add green onions; cook and stir until fragrant, 10 to 20 seconds. Spoon green onions over tofu while they are still sizzling. Coat with soy sauce. Let sit until tofu soaks up flavors, 3 to 5 minutes.

PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Slice tofu into 1/4-inch slabs.
• Place nutritional yeast on a plate. Mix in garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Roll tofu slices in the nutritional yeast mixture until evenly coated.
• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over low to medium heat. Add tofu slices; cook until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

VEGAN TANTANMEN WITH PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add noodles and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and run under cold water until the noodles are completely cold. (This stops the noodles from cooking further.) Set aside to drain.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high. When hot, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and arrange the tofu slices in a single layer. Generously season the tofu with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and about 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Reduce heat to medium, and cook tofu for 3 to 4 minutes until golden. Flip the tofu, and cook until golden on the other side, about 2 to 3 minutes. (Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook your tofu in two batches.) Remove from the pan, set aside on a plate.
• To the same pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper. Pan-fry until mushrooms are tender and slightly golden, about 6 minutes.
• Prepare the broth: Pour the vegetable stock into a large pot and add the kombu, if using.
• Bring to a gentle simmer and cook over medium heat, about 7 minutes. Remove kombu (keep for another use) and turn off heat. Allow to sit for 2 minutes, then gradually whisk in milk, adding a little at a time, so it doesn't curdle. Once the milk has been added, heat broth over medium until it simmers.
• In a medium bowl, combine the sesame paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar and chile oil. Divide mixture across four deep noodle bowls.
• Pour the hot broth over the sesame soup base, dividing it evenly among the bowls. Whisk to combine the base with the broth.
• Divide the noodles across the bowls, and top each bowl with a few slices of tofu, mushrooms, corn, scallions, sesame seeds and an extra drop of chile oil.

DUBU JEON (KOREAN PAN-FRIED TOFU)

Steps:

• Season tofu with salt.
• Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add tofu in a single layer; cook until golden brown and easily released from the bottom of the skillet, about 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until golden brown on the second side, about 3 minutes more.
• Mix soy sauce, green onions, water, sesame seeds, sesame oil, red pepper powder, and black pepper together in a small bowl. Spread over the cooked tofu. Garnish with red pepper flakes.

PAN FRIED TOFU WITH SPICY GINGER SOUP

Steps:

• To prepare the soup, in a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the vegetable broth, ginger, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, oyster sauce and sambal. Allow to simmer 15 minutes to mingle the flavors.
• To prepare the tofu steaks, cut the tofu block lengthwise, then cut in half to make 4 slabs. Lay several layers of paper towels on a cutting board then place the tofu, side by side, on top. Cover the steaks with more paper towels and press down to drain out some of the water in the curd (making it denser and hold together better when cooked.) Combine the bread crumbs, cayenne, paprika, salt and pepper. Dip each piece of tofu into the beaten eggs then dredge in the seasoned bread crumbs to coat. Heat peanut oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu steaks 4 minutes each side. Remove to a platter lined with fresh paper towels. Add sesame oil to the skillet, stir-fry the ginger and garlic with the chili for 2 minutes to build a base flavor. Add the broccoli and saute 3 minutes until it begins to soften, season with salt and pepper. Divide the udon noodles and spicy broth among 4 bowls. Add the broccoli then lay a piece of tofu on top. Garnish with a sprinkle of green onions, cilantro, and peanuts before serving.

QUICK AND LIGHT PAN-FRIED TOFU

Steps:

• Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tofu cubes; pour in soy sauce and mirin. Saute tofu until lightly browned on all sides and warmed through, about 5 minutes.

FRENCH TOAST PAN-FRIED TOFU (GLUTEN FREE)

Steps:

• Slice tofu into 1/8-inch-thick slices, laying pieces on a paper towel as you go. Season each side lightly with salt.
• Place cornmeal in a shallow bowl; add a pinch of salt and cinnamon and stir.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Dip each side of the tofu slices in the cornmeal mixture; gently tap off excess. Place tofu in the hot saucepan and cook until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side.