Indian Style Baked Tofu Recipe | Eggless Cooking (2024)

FAQs

Why is my baked tofu not crispy? ›

2) Squeeze out as much moisture as possible.

Water-logged tofu never gets super crispy. The key here is to slice the tofu into pieces before pressing it.

If you want a tastier tofu, you can fry it before adding it to the curry. Follow our fried tofu recipe and stir it in the curry before serving it. Our recipe for fried tofu is easy, and you can make it in less than 15 minutes while the curry simmers.

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.

Pan-fried tofu gets a nice crisp texture outside, but stays soft inside," she says. Gently press the tofu, marinate, and coat in cornstarch (see above). Add to a wok or pan preheated with cooking oil and let fry for one to two minutes so it crisps on the bottom. Flip and let cook for another one to two minutes.

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.

Why does tofu get rubbery? Because it was probably overcooked, it was probably exposed to too much heat. I don't know if it was roasted baked air fried or sauteed, but when it becomes, uh, overcooked, it's gonna get very, very tough.

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.

Pan-frying is the easiest, least fussy way to cook up a batch of ultra-crispy cubes of tofu. After pressing and draining as much liquid from the block as possible, cut the tofu into cubes, sticks, or wedges, then toss it with cornstarch until all the pieces are well-coated.

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

For Indian-inspired fried tofu, use curry powder, turmeric powder, and ground cumin. Use garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and dried rosemary for Italian-inspired fried tofu.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

Heat a large oven-safe metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and the seasoned tofu. Sauté for 5 minutes, shaking/flipping occasionally to cook on all sides, until tofu has a slight crust on each side and has begun to brown.

Tofu has a lot of water in it — even after you press it — and oil and water don't mix. Using oil in your marinade will actually create an oil slick on the tofu, meaning the flavors will never absorb. So skip the oil in your marinades and opt for extra vinegar, soy sauce, citrus juice, or stock.

I recommend using firm or extra firm tofu so that it holds up in the curry. Herbs & spices: this curry dish has tons of flavor thanks to fresh garlic and ginger, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, a little ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to taste.

You can cook extra firm tofu any way you cook firm tofu. It's extremely versatile and one of the best options for home cooks because it's so easy to work with! Its texture is firm enough to be cooked over high heat, such as pan-frying, air frying, baking, braising, and grilling.

Eat it raw: Tofu is completely safe to eat raw. Whether you press it or marinate it, you can use raw tofu in salads, smoothies, or have it as a protein-packed snack. Marinating: Since tofu has a bland flavor, marinating it is very popular.

Arrange tofu on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and bake for a total of 25-35 minutes, flipping once halfway through to ensure even cooking. This will dry out the tofu and help give it a more meat-like texture. If you want a tougher texture, cook it for 30-35.

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

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.

Coating your tofu with a mixture of cornstarch and salt will give it a crunchy coating with great flavor. You can also use potato starch, regular flour, or even gluten-free flour instead of cornstarch, but the cornstarch crisps up the best. You can bake, pan-fry, or deep fry your tofu.