20-Minute Crispy Pan Fried Tofu
Mar 20, 2020 (Last updated May 14, 2026) by Hannah Sunderani
This crispy tofu recipe is tangy, sweet and full of umami flavour. Simmered in a miso tamari sauce until thick and caramelized. Ready in 20 minutes, it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.
I love serving this pan-fried tofu when I’m short on time as a good meat-free main; I love to serve it alongside white rice with my Green Beans Almondine, or a wholesome salad like my Roasted Napa Cabbage Salad with Ramen.
Now, let me tell you exactly how to make this Crispy Pan Fried Tofu, so you can have dinner ready pronto!
Why You’ll Love My Recipe
As a plant-based blogger for almost 10 years, I pretty much live on tofu and I’m always looking for fast and easy ways to enhance its naturally bland flavour to make it a flavourful winning dish. This pan-fried tofu does just that. It’s rich in umami flavours like miso and tamari, spiced with ginger and chili flakes.
Most recipes require marinating tofu for many hours and sometimes overnight; which isn’t always ideal when you’re in a rush or haven’t had time to think about dinner in advanced. This tofu recipe is a “make on the fly” – there is no prep involved, and it fully delivers of taste, texture and full-flavour.
The results is a stand-out dish that my friends and family love, even the meat eaters!
Hannah xx
The ingredients:
The ingredients for this recipe are simple and straight forward. And likely you already have them in your pantry/kitchen. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Extra firm tofu: My preference for making this recipe is extra firm tofu. After slicing, I lightly press to remove excess water. The extra firm tofu really helps to hold its shape when pan-frying, I recipe tested this with medium firm tofu, but it didn’t hold it shape well, and was more sticky in the pan.
- Tamari: Or, you can use soy sauce. Adds lovely saltiness and full bodied flavour to this recipe. It’s one of my favourite ingredients for an asian-inspired umami-rich dish.
- Miso paste: Another boost of umami to add depth and flavour to the sauce. My preference of miso is the white shiro miso as it’s lightly sweet and more delicate in flavour. The next best option is the red miso.
- Rice vinegar: Adds lovely acidity to this recipe. I also recipe tested it with fresh lemon and fresh lime and it was a great substitute! Another good substitute would be apple cider vinegar.
- Ginger: I used a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, but you can also use 1/4 tsp dried ginger – I recipe tested it with the dried and it was still delish!
- Maple Syrup: Adds a subtle sweetness that helps offset the acidity from the rice vinegar.
- Cayenne pepper flakes: This is optional for heat, but I highly recommend.
How to make Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu
Making this crispy pan-fried tofu is quick and easy! You don’t need to be a master chef; anyone can do it! And it just takes 20 minutes. Here’s what you’ll do:
MAKE THIS PAN-FRIED TOFU WITH ME!
Watch along with me as I make this vegan Pan-Fried Tofu on Vegan Afternoon with Two Spoons.
So, I think you’re ready to make this crispy pan-fried tofu now. With these simple tips you can enjoy quick, easy and crispy tofu that’s full of umami flavour. I have no doubt you’re going to nail it! And I hope you love this recipe as much as we do.
And, if you do make this recipe please let me know in the comments below what you think! I love hearing from you. And of course, tag me on Instagram with the hashtag #twospoons. Nothing makes me happier than to see your recreations.
20-Minute Crispy Pan Fried Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 packet extra firm tofu (12 oz/350g)
- 1/4 cup gluten-free tamari (or soy sauce)
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp miso paste
- 1 inch ginger peeled and grated (or 1/4 tsp dried)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne plus more to taste
- 1/3 cup neutral oil (avocado or coconut oil)
Instructions
- Drain tofu and wrap in a clean dish towel. Gently press tofu to remove the excess liquid. Do this for a few minutes until you find the tofu to be significantly drier. Slice tofu into six equal slices (about 1/2-inch thick). Gently dab tofu slices with dish towel to remove any more moisture.
- In a bowl combine tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, miso, grated ginger, and cayenne. Mix to combine. Set aside.
- Add neutral oil to skillet and bring to med-high heat. When the oil is hot (3-5 mins) carefully add tofu slices. (Do this carefully as oil can spit as tofu cooks). Cook each side until browned and crispy (4 mins per side). Use a chop stick or spatula to turn.
- Strain oil into a small bowl, holding back the tofu with a spatula. Bring back to medium-heat and add sauce. Spoon the sauce over the tofu to absorb and marinade. Let simmer until sauce has thickened and caramelized ( 5 mins).
- Serve tofu with rice and drizzle with remaining glaze.
Watch The Video
Notes
Approvals
Nutrition
See more step-by-step instructions by visiting the recipe story here!
LEAVE A COMMENT
AND RATE THIS RECIPE!
We love hearing from you! If you love this recipe, please consider giving it a star rating when you post a comment. Star ratings help people discover my recipes online. Thank you!
Hi Hannah. I stumbled across your website recently. I’ve been a vegetarian for more than 3 decades and have just started experimenting with vegan. The crispy tofu was delicious!!! Am looking forward to trying a number of your other recipes. Thanks so much. Jill
So happy that you enjoyed the recipe Jill! THanks for the warm comment. 🙂
First time making this tofu and it’s so tasty! A new family go-to! Thank you!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the recipe Izzy! We love just how easy this recipe is too!!
I just had a bite, first time trying this recipe and I am very happy! Delicious, thank you for sharing 🙂
I’m glad that you enjoyed this recipe Viktoria! It’s one of my favourite ways to eat tofu. I’m thrilled that you liked it too. Thanks for the kind message.
This was the first time I have ever made tofu and both my husband and I weren’t let down! This dressing/sauce is an absolutely perfect flavour to pair with the tofu. We will be making this countless more times in the future!!
So glad you and your husband enjoyed the recipe Kyrstal! Thanks for sharing!
Yes please! This looks so good!
Thank you Tori! Glad you like the recipe. 🙂