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Blackened Tofu is crispy, spicy, and, best of all, quick and easy to make on the stovetop! Blackened tofu steaks are great in sandwiches, tacos, and salads.
I have recently rediscovered my love of blackened seasoning, and my absolute favorite way to use it is for these crispy tofu steaks.
This blackened tofu recipe is ready in under 20 minutes. You will love how crispy and flavorful this pan fried tofu is!
The spicy tofu pieces complement creamy vegan coleslaw perfectly in sandwiches or blackened tofu tacos.
Ingredients
You will need these three simple ingredients to make blackened tofu:
- Extra-firm tofu or firm tofu is best for making these tofu steaks.
- Blackened seasoning is the key! I like to use Zatarain’s mix for ease of preparation, but you can also make your own if you prefer to control the amount of spice and salt. Blackened seasoning generally contains some combination of chili powder, herbs, and spices.
- Olive oil gives an extra crispy exterior.
Please refer to the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
Ways to Cook Blackened Tofu
My go-to method for cooking blackened tofu is in a nonstick pan. I like to use a larger pan and cook an entire 18-ounce block of tofu. But it’s also great to scale down the recipe to a smaller pan! (This is the method I will demonstrate!)
Using a cast iron skillet creates a fantastic crust, but it can be a bit challenging if you aren’t well-versed in cast iron cooking.
If you are a grill master, you can impart a delicious smoky flavor to your blackened tofu.
Baking blackened tofu in the oven is an excellent option for large batches and hand-off preparation. However, there will not be the same char that you achieve from grilling or pan-searing.
Directions with Pictures
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making the best blackened tofu in a nonstick pan:
1. Slice tofu into even squares, steaks, or triangles.
2. Remove excess water or moisture with a paper towel.
3. Sprinkle one side of the tofu evenly with blackened seasoning.
4. Place the seasoned side down onto a preheated pan.
5. Sprinkle the top side with more seasoning while the first cooks.
6. Flip to cook the other side of the tofu.
Notes
Ways to cut tofu - Depending on how you plan to use it, there are many different ways to cut your tofu. I’ve done everything from triangles to squares to strips to larger tofu steaks.
To press or not to press - I skip pressing tofu and opt to blot it with a paper towel or clean dish towel to remove excess water. This helps the seasoning adhere better, resulting in a crispier exterior when blackening.
Ways to Serve Blackened Tofu
Here are some ideas for how to serve your crispy tofu:
- Make blackened tofu sandwiches with coleslaw.
- Add it to a wrap with chickpea flour tortillas.
- Make a vegan cajun alfredo with creamy alfredo sauce.
- Create a Buddha bowl with lemon quinoa and greens.
- Make blackened tofu tacos with corn tortillas and vegan avocado lime crema.
- Slice it into pieces and add to a vegan Caesar salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store blackened tofu steaks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 5 days.
I recommend air-frying your tofu at 400°F for about 5 minutes to reheat leftovers. This method is great because you don’t have to flip the tofu steaks, and they come out perfectly crispy, just like when you first made them!
You can also reheat it on the stovetop at medium heat, flipping to crisp up each side.
More Tofu Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Blackened Tofu
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14-18 oz block of extra firm tofu see notes
- 2-3 teaspoons blackened seasoning see notes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat a large nonstick pan to medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil, about a tablespoon.
- Remove tofu from its packaging and use a paper towel to remove any excess water. You do not need to press the tofu.
- Cut tofu into even squares, steaks, or triangles.
- Use a paper towel to remove any excess water or moisture from the tofu slices.
- Sprinkle one side of the tofu evenly with blackened seasoning.
- Place the seasoned side down onto the hot pan.
- Sprinkle the top side with more seasoning while the first cooks.
- Cook the first side for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Flip to cook the other side of the tofu for 3 to 5 minutes.
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