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    Home » Recipes » Tofu Dinner Ideas

    Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu

    May 10, 2022 by Becky Striepe
    Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Recipe Print

    You don't have to go out to get delicious, restaurant-style, Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu. Make it at home in less than half an hour.

    You don't have to go out to get delicious, restaurant-style, Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu. Make it at home in less than half an hour.

    Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu is another recipe for my sponsors at EZ Tofu Press.

    I definitely recommend pressing your tofu for this recipe. Salt & Pepper Tofu is so much better when the tofu is toothsome and chewy.  With a lot of recipes, you're getting the water out to get the marinade in, but with this recipe it's 100% about texture.

    Check out the video demo showing how much water this sucker presses out of a typical block of tofu.

    You don't have to go out to get delicious, crispy, restaurant-style salt and pepper tofu. Make it at home in less than half an hour.

    But let's talk about the EZ Tofu Press more in a minute. First, let's talk about how to serve your Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu. You have soooo many options!

    • Over rice with a green veg of your choice. I kept it simple with steamed broccoli and a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onion, but it's also really good with my Ginger Sesame Kale.
    • Add it to your next Sushi Bowl.
    • Instead of rice, serve with quinoa, millet, amaranth, kamut, or any other grain you choose. It's even lovely alongside mashed potatoes.
    You don't have to go out to get delicious, crispy, restaurant-style Salt and Pepper Tofu. Make it at home in less than half an hour.

    And now...let's cook some tofu!

    You don't have to go out to get delicious, crispy, restaurant-style Salt and Pepper Tofu. Make it at home in less than half an hour.

    Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu

    You don’t have to go out to get delicious, restaurant-style, Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu. Make it at home in less than half an hour.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 269kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • 1 block extra firm tofu - pressed and cut into 8 cutlets
    • ¼ cup cornstarch - or potato starch
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • 1 ¼ teaspoons black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoons high heat oil - like peanut or sunflower
    • soy sauce - to taste

    Instructions

    • Pour the cornstarch into a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. 
    • Dredge each piece of tofu in the corn starch and then into the flour mixture. 
    • Heat the sesame and olive oils in a large skillet on medium high heat, making sure that the pan is hot before adding the tofu. To check, wet your fingers under the tap, and flick a few drops of water into the oil. If it sizzles off immediately, the pan is ready. Add the tofu to the pan, making sure that the pieces don’t overlap. 
    • Cook the tofu for 6-7 minutes, until you can see that the bottoms have turned golden brown. Use a spatula to flip them, and cook for another 6-7 minutes, so they’re browned on the other side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels or a clean cloth napkin to drain for a few minutes, then serve immediately. 
    • Serve topped with a little bit of soy sauce.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    269
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    17
    g
    26
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    10
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.03
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    6
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    8
    g
    Sodium
     
    945
    mg
    39
    %
    Potassium
     
    188
    mg
    5
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    21
    g
    7
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    2
    g
    2
    %
    Protein
     
    10
    g
    20
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    3
    IU
    0
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.01
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    49
    mg
    5
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lisa

      May 23, 2017 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      This was so yummy! I've never quite been able to get a nice crisp like this on tofu, but this recipe is so easy and gives a perfect light crunch!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        May 23, 2017 at 5:42 pm

        I love hearing that, Lisa! So glad you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    2. The vegan 8

      October 30, 2016 at 7:36 pm

      Love how simple and flavorful this is! I love recipes with a good dose of pepper, too!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 30, 2016 at 7:41 pm

        I feel like salt and pepper deserve more love! Haha

        Reply
    3. Jenny

      October 30, 2016 at 8:40 am

      Hmm I think my favourite tofu recipe is thinly sliced and lightly fried with salt, pepper and black salt for a sort-of eggy sandwich. Salt & pepper tofu comes a very close second, though!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 30, 2016 at 8:41 am

        Ooh yum! Eggy tofu is so good!

        Reply
    4. Sarah

      October 29, 2016 at 3:38 am

      Our current fave is your BBQ Tofu! Seriously—we've made it twice in the last 2 weeks. SO good!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 29, 2016 at 7:53 am

        Yum!

        Reply
    5. Eve B.

      October 28, 2016 at 2:19 pm

      I enjoy tofu almost everyday for dinner with garlic, powdered ginger, paprika, cayenne, tamari and sesame oil. I have yet to use a tofu press, and look forward to the possibilities....thanks!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 28, 2016 at 2:29 pm

        Oh you'll love it, especially with all of those good spices to soak in!

        Reply
    6. Ginny McMeans

      October 28, 2016 at 1:57 pm

      How exciting! A new cool tool and it presses tofu. Thanks and your recipe sounds so good!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 28, 2016 at 2:04 pm

        Thank you, Ginny!

        Reply
    7. Vegan Heaven

      October 28, 2016 at 1:19 pm

      I think I really need a tofu press! This looks so delicious, Becky. :-)

      Reply
    8. Heather

      October 28, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      I need a tofu press!! spicy almond butter tofu with eggplant is a favorite. This salt and pepper tofu sounds good too!

      Reply
    9. Linda @ Veganosity

      October 28, 2016 at 11:04 am

      I need that press! What a great kitchen tool. And that crispy tofu looks AMAZING!

      Reply
    10. Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes

      October 28, 2016 at 10:00 am

      Tofu presses are such a great thing to have in the house! Looks awesome! Definitely a recipe I need to try ;)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 28, 2016 at 10:25 am

        Seriously. I'm using mine to prep some tofu for lunch as I type this!

        Reply
    11. Patty T

      October 27, 2016 at 5:20 pm

      I love to marinate tofu and then bake it. It can be used in stir fries, salads, or just over rice.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 27, 2016 at 6:08 pm

        Yum!

        Reply
    12. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day

      October 27, 2016 at 3:14 pm

      I love your air fryer tofu recipe. I'm excited to try this salt & pepper tofu!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 27, 2016 at 3:20 pm

        Thank you, Amy. Enjoy it!

        Reply
    13. Tyme

      October 26, 2016 at 12:30 pm

      Another great recipe from Glue & Glitter! Can't wait to try this. Surprisingly, I have these ingredients on hand.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 26, 2016 at 12:38 pm

        Oh yay! Enjoy it!

        Reply
    14. Sue

      October 26, 2016 at 12:03 pm

      Recipe says to stir in ginger. How much?

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 26, 2016 at 12:14 pm

        Whoops! That should say black pepper. A holdover from an earlier experiment with the batter. Thank you for pointing that out - I updated the instructions!

        Reply
    15. Janet Colonna

      October 26, 2016 at 9:31 am

      My favorite tofu recipe is a fried tofu with an orange ginger sauce. It's what's for lunch today. I think I'll try your recipe next. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 26, 2016 at 9:51 am

        Oh yum. Orange ginger sauce sounds like a delight!

        Reply
    16. Alisa @ Go Dairy Free

      October 26, 2016 at 12:11 am

      Ooh, I really need a tofu press! I'm traditional, my favorite tofu recipe is stir fry! Oh, I do love homemade dairy-free feta, too!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 26, 2016 at 7:56 am

        Mmm tofu feta is so good!

        Reply
    17. Hannah Teson

      October 25, 2016 at 10:04 pm

      Simple crispy tofu is my favorite! This looks like the perfect meal :)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2016 at 10:06 pm

        Thank you, Hannah! <3

        Reply
    18. Dianne

      October 25, 2016 at 5:04 pm

      Oh my goodness! This looks like my kinda tofu. I love all of the tofu recipes you create!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2016 at 5:09 pm

        Thank you, Dianne!

        Reply
    19. Terri Cole

      October 25, 2016 at 4:06 pm

      Barbecue tofu is my favorite. My current tofu press is "Passionate Vegetarian" by Crescent Dragonwagon. (The heaviest book on my shelf!)

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2016 at 4:16 pm

        Haha yes! That book is gigantic!

        Reply
    20. Jenn

      October 25, 2016 at 1:54 pm

      I have thought about getting a press many times. I use a plate weighted down with bags of dried beans. Not exactly the most stable thing, but it works. LOL! I am in love with tofu...I will never understand the tofu haters...they just don't know how to cook it (which isn't hard!). Love this simple version...it would go with everything!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2016 at 1:56 pm

        I agree, Jenn. Tofu is the best! My 3yo loves it, even uncooked with a little soy sauce on top.

        Reply
    21. Mel | avirtualvegan.com

      October 25, 2016 at 1:24 pm

      That tofu press looks amazing! I currently use a pile of cook books but have many dangerous toppling incidents so perhaps I should invest in a press! My favourite tofu recipe is my Sticky Chili Ginger Tofu. I could eat it everyday!
      Your salt and pepper tofu looks pretty darn delicious too though!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2016 at 1:40 pm

        Oh yeah- I've definitely had some near disasters with homemade pressing solutions. That chili ginger tofu sounds ah-mazing!

        Reply
    22. Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite

      October 25, 2016 at 1:20 am

      I don't have a press but I bet it works fab!! Love the simple yet yumminess of this.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2016 at 7:53 am

        Thank you, Sophia!

        Reply
    23. Cadry

      October 24, 2016 at 10:07 pm

      This sounds like a perfect weeknight meal - especially with some steamed broccoli on the side. It just goes to show you can get a lot of flavor without too much fuss!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 25, 2016 at 7:53 am

        I agree! Sometimes simple is the best.

        Reply
    24. Linda Weinberger

      October 24, 2016 at 9:29 am

      I definitely have to get this easy tofu press
      Pressing between 2 plates was my method but usually my tofu crumbled into pieces.

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 24, 2016 at 10:36 am

        Yes! That happens to me with the plate method sometimes, too.

        Reply
    25. Aimee

      October 24, 2016 at 9:28 am

      Looks delicious, Becky!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 24, 2016 at 10:35 am

        Thank you, Aimee!

        Reply
    26. M.C.

      October 24, 2016 at 9:01 am

      Chewy tofu is my favorite! I love chopping it up over a salad or slicing lengthwise for a taco or wrap with my favorite sauce (buffalo!).

      I second the need to press the tofu for texture - this is the key to cooking tofu that many people I know skip. I'm going to have to check out one of these EZ Tofu Presses. Much better than the leaning tower of cookbooks method I usually use.

      Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Becky Striepe

        October 24, 2016 at 10:35 am

        Enjoy it! Yeah, I love my press. It really makes a world of difference.

        Reply

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    About Me

    photo of Becky Striepe
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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