My thoughts about tofu up until this meal have been just… “meh.” Not anymore! I’ve totally converted from “meh” to “ican’tstopeatingthis.”
This method of frying the tofu is super easy and really, REALLY yummy. Paired with a simple and scrumptious 10-minute fried rice (yep… 10 minutes!!!), this meal is hearty, delicious, easy to make, and really healthy.
The biggest key to cooking tofu properly: dry it out. Simply slice the tofu into the sizes you want to cook, and lay it out flat on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt and cover with another paper towel, and let sit for about 10 minutes- the salt and towels will draw out much of the moisture, making it easier to brown. (You can do your prep for the fried rice while you’re waiting for the tofu!)
At this point you can bake it or saute it as is. I wanted extra crispy tofu, however, so I coated the pieces with a thin layer of cornstarch before frying (a lot of fried asian foods are coated in cornstarch rather than flour or bread crumbs). Just put a few tablespoons of cornstarch in a bowl with salt and pepper, add the tofu, and shake around to coat.
Another trick: it’s best to use a cast iron skillet for frying the tofu. With a natural non-stick surface created by layers of oil, it makes it ideal for frying delicate foods like tofu (using a non-stick skillet for frying isn’t ideal, since the oil gets so hot it can damage the Teflon surface). Don’t have one? You should seriously consider purchasing one- it’s my favorite thing in my kitchen! The tofu will fry easily in a thin layer of olive oil, browning on each side for 2-4 minutes. It’s a cinch.
Once the tofu is done cooking, the DELICIOUS fried rice comes together super quickly in the same skillet. (This part of the recipe is adapted from Pinch of Yum– one of my favorite blogs. Go check it out!) The thing that sets this fried rice apart from others? The chopped fresh basil and scallions. So fresh, and so tasty.
Hey, if you want to forgo this whole “frying tofu” thing all together and just make the fried rice for dinner, I hear you. That’s what I did the first time I made it! (just add a couple more eggs and call it a day). But seriously, the tofu is super tasty. And it makes the meal so much more hearty and satisfying. Even with frying the tofu, this whole meal only takes about 30 minutes to make. Not too shabby!
One final thing: top this off with Sriracha sauce. You won’t regret it. YUM!!!
Fried Rice with Crispy Tofu
Ingredients
For the Tofu:
- 1 package firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil for frying, plus more if needed (or oil of choice)
For the Rice:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced (from about a 1" piece)
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups cooked rice (from 1 cup dry)
- 1 carrot grated
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 scallions chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- Sriracha hot sauce for serving, optional
Instructions
- To make the tofu, cut a block of tofu into pieces approximately 1/4 inch thick, then cut those into four pieces each (so you have pieces approximately 1" x .5")
- Arrange the tofu pieces on top of a paper towel (or other clean towel), sprinkle with salt, and put another towel on top. Place something heavy (like a cast iron skillet) on top of it. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes so the the moisture is drawn out of the tofu.
- Place tofu in a medium sized bowl with cornstarch, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir/shake gently to coat the pieces of tofu in cornstarch.
- Coat the bottom of a heavy skillet (cast iron recommended) with olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat, and add tofu. Allow to sit for 2-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip and allow to brown on other side, and remove to a clean paper towel to drain. You will probably need to do two-three batches.
- To make the fried rice, in the same skillet as the tofu (or a wok), heat olive oil.
- Add garlic and ginger; saute for one minute or until fragrant.
- Crack eggs into skillet and stir to scramble, until just set.
- Add rice to skillet and stir to incorporate.
- Allow to sit undisturbed for a few minutes to brown. Using a thin metal spatula, flip rice over and allow to brown on other side.
- Add carrot, peas, corn, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, salt, pepper, and fried tofu.
- Stir to incorporate, and allow to continue heating for a few minutes until all ingredients are warm.
- Top with scallions and basil, as well as sriracha if desired.
Notes
- I keep fresh ginger in the freezer, and grate directly from the freezer to use in recipes. It's easier to grate when it's frozen!
- The fried rice is delicious on it's own as a meal, without the tofu. I'd recommend using 4 eggs instead of 2 to make it more substantive. For a vegan option, omit the eggs.
- The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and reflects one serving of the recipe (total servings indicated at top of recipe card). It does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
Auti
Who taught you how to cook asian? Olive oil should NEVER be used (peanut or vegetable oil if you have allergies). and carrots, peas and corn have no place in fried rice of any kind. At most, you want peppers, scallions, and green onion plus your protein. And Sriracha? If you want some kick, use Sambal chili sauce, not Sriracha. The only reason you get two stars is for using old rice.
Elizabeth Lindemann
You’re right, canola or peanut oil is traditionally used for most Chinese cooking. I prefer olive oil for most of my cooking for the health benefits (though I often use Canola for Chinese recipes). That said, this post makes no claim about authenticity at all, and I am certainly not someone one should be going to for authentic Asian recipes! My recipes cater to people who want fast, easy, and healthy recipes, rather than authentic global cuisine (I recommend Omnivore’s Cookbook or The Woks of Life for authentic Chinese recipes!). It’s also quite easy for you (or anyone else reading this) to sub canola oil for this recipe. I’ll add a recipe note right now that mentions this. You should feel free to make fried rice how ever you see fit :-)
Donna
My husband and I really enjoyed this recipe! Plus it’s very satisfying! Thanks so much!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad to hear you liked it!
Donna
Elizabeth, we ate leftovers for breakfast today! :) How cool is that! We really like the crispy tofu and the overall flavor is certainly tasty! Have all the ingredients to make again this week! YAY!!!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Yes! I am such a fan of eating “real food” for breakfast! So happy to hear you’ll be making it again this week – enjoy :-)
Harper
It was so good! My dad even ate it and he thinks tofu is Satan’s eggs. The tofu was nice and crispy when it came out of the pan, but when I put it in with the rice, it got really soggy and it was not very good after about 15 minutes. Any suggestions of what I should do to combat that?
Elizabeth Lindemann
“Satan’s eggs” haha! So glad you and your father liked it. Maybe serving the fried tofu on top or on the side of the fried rice would be better than mixed in with all the sauce in order to keep it crispy!
Leah
Simple but yum, good tips for tofu. Toddler approved in our house, especially as includes his favourites corn and peas. I actually used frozen carrot and some steamed pumpkin and sweet potato and less peas and corn and worked well.
Basil really good.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you and the kiddo liked it, and I love the idea of adding all those veggies!
liz1054
I loved this dish! And I can’t cook to save my life. But this was excellent and I felt like a real cook rather than a re-heater. Thanks!