Cooking tofu could be a tricky endeavor. These are three easy ways to make crispy tofu every time.

I've been a pescatarian for close to four years. The lifestyle change has meant tinkering with more vegetable-forward dishes and meatless substitutes like tempeh and seitan, which are easy to marinate and cook. However the protein-rich, plant-based alternative that offered me a real run in my money: tofu.

I'd had tofu previously and enjoyed it, and so i wasn't trepidatious about adding a stir-fry with crispy tofu to my lineup of meals for the week. However, once I went to the grocery store's meatless section, I had been met with multiple types of firmness. What were they playing at? After consulting the recipe, I made a decision firm tofu was the way to go.

To my dismay, my stir-fry would be a flop. The vegetables and sauce tasted great, but my tofu – it took the type of soggy, bland, semi-solid blocks. The fact is, there are very specific steps involved in prepping tofu, especially if you want it to be crisp. I'd used none of them.

In truth, it wasn't until annually into my journey that I mastered the art of cooking perfectly crisp tofu. To help you steer clear of the same missteps, I'm sharing three tried-and-true ways to make crispy tofu each time.

Green curry tofu dish with rice. Photo thanks to Twenty20.

First Order of Business

I can't stress this enough. If you don't buy pre-pressed tofu – always, always press it for 15-30 minutes before beginning your recipe. This handy device will press it for you personally (it's dishwasher safe and BPA-free). Or, you can put your tofu in between paper towels or reusable napkins on the plate and set a heavy pot or book on the top.

Tofu comes packaged in water, if you skip this step, there is no room for it to take in a sauce or marinade. But for the best crispy bites, be sure to purchase extra firm tofu. Firm can also be fine if extra firm is not available.

Methods For Crispy Tofu

Bake It:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut tofu into smale cubed pieces.
• Toss the tofu pieces in 1 tablespoon of oil and two tablespoons of cornstarch or arrowroot starch.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and evenly arrange the tofu on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 25 to Half an hour or until tofu is golden brown and crispy around the edges. To ensure all sides are crispy, make sure to tennis ball so the tofu halfway through.
• Enjoy!

Pan Fry It:

• Cut tofu into nugget-sized pieces, in regards to a half-inch thick. You need to end up with Eight to ten pieces.
• Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a non-stick pan, then add the tofu.
• Turn the burner on medium-high heat, allowing the tofu to prepare 5-6 minutes until light brown at the base.
• Flip.
• Cook tofu for another 5-6 minutes until lightly browned.
• Flip again.
• Add 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil. Cook for the next 2 minutes.
• Take off heat and serve!

Air Fry

• Cut tofu into cube-sized pieces.
• Toss in a half tablespoon soy sauce or liquid aminos.
• Toss in two tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot starch.
• Coat the bottom of the air fryer basket inside a thin layer of olive oil.
• Place tofu in air fryer basket. Be sure not to overcrowd.
• Set air fryer to 400 degrees. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove the basket and give it a good shake.
• Cook for another A few minutes.
• Add for your favorite dish!

Green curry tofu dish with rice. Photo courtesy of Twenty20.