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Plants Not Plastic

Crispy Tofu

This copycat recipe from one of my favorite LA dim sum spots is crispy, crunch, chewy, and flavorful, I'll while not using any oil! Can be made in an air fryer (preferred) or the oven, and serves as a great side dish or perfect topping for other dishes (like fried rice!).
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Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Oven Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 2 cups (~4 servings)
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Thai
Calories: 258.1
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 16 ounce block extra firm tofu cubed, but see directions before cutting
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds raw or toasted
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch sub arrowroot powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt optional, but highly recommended
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce sub tamari for gluten free
Optional Garnish
  • fresh green onion white part, thinly sliced
  • green Thai chilies finely diced
  • sriracha

Equipment

  • Tofu press (or heavy pot/pan)
  • Air fryer (or oven & silicone baking mat or other baking tray liner)
  • Medium mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Press tofu for 30 minutes using either a tofu press or by setting a heavy pan on top of it [note #1].
  2. Drain all the liquid, then cut into bite-sized cubes and transfer for a medium mixing bowl [note #2]
  3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, if you're using it. Prepare a non-stick, lined, or silicone baking sheet on a baking tray.
  4. Add all ingredients and mix well until all the tofu is evenly coated.
  5. Bake per below directions (Oven or Air Fryer), throwing in the thai green chiles, if using, in the last 6-10 minutes to soften.
  6. Serve with additional salt or raw sliced green onion [note #3] or serve as a topping with my Fried Rice!
    Take-Out Style Fried Rice
  7. Enjoy! [note #4]
Oven
  1. Pour your tofu onto your baking sheet into a single layer and baking for 25-30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tofu is a deep brown on the edges.
Air Fryer
  1. Pour tofu into air fryer basket and cook at 390 for 15-20 minutes, stirring after the first 10 minutes and then every 5 minutes or so to cook evenly.

Video

Notes

  1. If you're short on time, you can press the tofu for just 15 minutes, but it will be softer in texture overall, and be more likely to break apart in the oven or air fryer when you're turning it over or tossing it.
  2. To make cubes, I cut my tofu 1) lengthwise down the center (almost as if you're slicing a personal baguette to make a sandwich - think Subway). Then, with the two large, flat rectangles you're left with I 2) make three even cuts lengthwise and 3) four even cuts widthwise to get 40 even cubes from the one block of tofu.
  3. If you don't like raw green onion, throw them in with the tofu in the last minute or two to soften.
  4. This recipe is about 50% fat, so while tofu and sesame seeds are not foods that are bad for you, if you are adhering to a high carb, low fat diet you'll want to use this is a topping or a side rather than a whole meal.