Crispy Tofu Katsu Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How to make tofu crispy like a restaurant? ›

There are a few tricks to perfect tofu. First, tossing cubed tofu with cornstarch will help you get a crispier exterior when baking or stir-frying. Pressing the block of tofu to eliminate excess moisture also helps. And you'll want to make sure you're using high enough heat.

Make sure to press the tofu.

This really is essential for removing excess moisture and getting that crispy texture.

Cornstarch – This is the secret to the most perfect fried tofu. Cornstarch forms a protective layer around each cube of tofu, which crisps up when added to heat. If you don't have cornstarch, arrowroot powder and tapioca starch also work. Garlic powder – This is optional but adds a delightful savory, garlicky flavor.

Pat each cube dry. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu and cook on all sides until golden brown, 2-4 minutes per side, then remove from the pan and set aside.

Freezing is one of the best ways to get the crispiest tofu without deep-frying. In this recipe, you then simply roast it: Heat the oven with a sheet pan inside, so that the pan is dancing-hot before you even add the oil.

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

If you want a nutty flavor, she suggests trying semi-refined peanut oil (such as Lion & Globe), or blending unrefined peanut oil one-to-one with a neutral cooking oil. Cook the tofu over medium to medium-high heat, searing it for one to two minutes on each side.

Fried tofu is high in protein and lower in saturated fat than most meat. However, it is high in calories and typically fried in omega-6 rich vegetable oil. Since the Western diet already has too much omega-6, fried tofu could increase inflammation. Air-fried tofu is the healthiest kind of fried tofu.

Substitutions: If you prefer not to cook with cornstarch, you can substitute in an equal volume of all-purpose flour or potato starch. Tofu: This recipe can also be made with medium-firm tofu, but you'll need to be a bit more gentle while pressing and coating it.

Does McDonald's use tofu? ›

McDonald's has introduced a tofu-stuffed spin on its beloved Chicken McNuggets, available starting today (but only in Japan—sorry!). The tofu shinjo nuggets, which are chicken-free, are a unique mashup of tofu, soybeans, onions, carrots and minced fish. (Poor vegetarian readers—did you all totally just lose interest?)

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!

Restaurants understand the power of salt and use it liberally to ensure that tofu is well-seasoned. As masters of flavors, professional chefs know that tofu's porous nature allows it to absorb the flavors it's cooked with, and they use this to their advantage.

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.

This difference in taste is largely due to one key ingredient: salt. In the culinary world, salt is a key flavor enhancer that unlocks and elevates the natural tastes of food. When it comes to tofu, which is naturally quite mild-tasting, salt becomes a critical component in transforming it into something delicious.

Super Firm

Marinate overnight, coat it in a thick sauce, then pop it on a grill before layering it behind slices of bread. Because this type of tofu holds up so well, it is a really great meat substitute. It's also the best variety for frying in oil until crisp and golden brown.

For the best results, I recommend pressing tofu for at least 30 minutes before cooking, though longer is great if you're able to plan ahead. In a pinch, even less time can make a big difference. I pressed the left block of tofu in the photo above for just 20 minutes. An unpressed block of tofu is on the right.

Tofu Recipes

The Best Crispy Tofu starts by asking you to press it for 30 minutes to eliminate as much water as possible. Less liquid equals more crispiness.