Crispy Tofu Tacos

These crispy tofu tacos are made with a cornmeal mixture that gives the tofu a crunch it would be missing otherwise. They might just convince former vegetarian haters like myself that you can actually have a meatless taco. And yes they are actually crispy.

I absolutely love tacos - whether they have meat or are vegetarian. From potato tacos to carne asada tacos to sweet potato black bean tacos, you can never go wrong.

But tofu tacos? Is there such a thing? Until I met Lauren I didn't believe so. Yes I know tofu has this reputation from the meat-loving crowd that it's disgusting! And I used to be on that side the fence. That was until I ran into this tofu recipe.

So how did I even come across making these vegan tacos? Well it actually starts with Lauren's Dad, who is a vegetarian. Being as I basically never had a meal without some type of meat, I had to go on the lookout for some vegetarian recipes that I thought would be tasty but also be approved by him. Pinterest led me to this blog, called The Woks of Life with the recipe I've adapted below.

I actually confess this was my first time ever even having tofu. I went 28 years without trying it, and never felt like I was missing anything. These tacos quickly changed my opinion.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not a vegetarian, but this crispy tofu tacos recipe is great for those who are vegetarian or for someone like me who just wants something different.

So two years later and these vegan tacos are on the regular rotation of our tacos, which as I've mentioned before we have about twice a month.

Jump to:

• Recipe Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• What is Tofu?
• Best Tofu for Tacos
• Is the Tofu Actually Crispy?
• Best Skillet
• Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
• Other Taco Recipes
• Crispy Tofu Tacos

Recipe Ingredients

• Extra firm tofu - best for pan-frying as it has less water.
• Honey - helps bind the cornmeal while giving a slight sweetness.
• Soy sauce - gives added saltiness to tofu.
• Sriracha - binds cornmeal while giving some heat.
• Cornmeal - creates the crispy outer layer of the tofu.
• Cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper - adds flavor to the cornmeal exterior.
• Canola oil - used to pan-fry tofu. Can also use vegetable oil.
• Corn tortillas - can also use flour tortillas. 
• Cilantro - adds flavor to crema sauce.
• Scallions - mild onion flavor for crema sauce.
• Greek yogurt - thickens crema. Can also use sour cream.
• Onion, black beans, corn, tomato, avocado, cheese, lime juice - use toppings for the tacos you enjoy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Fold paper towels around tofu and place weight on top to press down for at least 15 minutes. (This gets some of the extra water out of the tofu which allows for a crispier tofu)
2. In medium bowl, combine cornmeal and spices.
3. While waiting for the tofu to drain, place the cilantro, scallions, yogurt, water and salt in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
4. When tofu is drained, cut into ¾ inch cubes. In medium bowl, gently toss the tofu in the Sriracha, soy sauce and honey. Be careful not to break the tofu up.
5. Toss the tofu in the cornmeal mixture.
6. Heat the oil over medium high heat in a cast iron or non-stick skillet. Add the tofu to the skillet and allow to get crisp on one side. It should take about 5-7 minutes.
7. When you heat up skillet for tofu, heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat as well. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes. Add frozen corn and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in black beans, salt and black pepper and cook until beans are warmed through. Set aside until tacos are done. (You can skip this step if you don't want to make corn/black bean mixture)
8. Flip the tofu and cook for another 5 minutes to get other side crisp. You do not want to flip too much, as it will break up the tofu. When tofu is cooking, warm the tortillas either in the microwave or in a 8 inch pan over medium heat. Build the crispy tofu tacos with your desired toppings.

What is Tofu?

Tofu is made of soybeans that are curdled and made into blocks. It is pretty much like making cheese. Tofu also contains nigari, which is the liquid that is left after extracting the salt from the water.

With that in mind, tofu is very healthy for you as it is packed with protein, calcium, selenium, manganese, iron, and magnesium, while being low in saturated fat.

Best Tofu for Tacos

You need to use extra firm tofu for these vegan tacos. While they are still soft, they are much better for pan-frying than firm tofu.

Is the Tofu Actually Crispy?

Yes! But like anything that is pan-fried or fried, this tofu only stays crispy immediately after cooking. If you plan on having leftovers and eat the tofu the next day, I wouldn't expect it to be crispy although it still tastes great.

Best Skillet

For these crispy tofu tacos as well as many other recipes such as my sweet potato tacos or sweet potato enchilada skillet, I use a Lodge cast iron skillet. It’s surprisingly affordable and will last years if you take care of it.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• Tofu (even extra firm) is loaded with water so it is important to place something heavy on top to get rid of some of the extra water. While I say to do it for at least 15 minutes, 30 minutes is best to release some of the excess water.
• Be consistent when cutting the tofu so it will cook evenly.
• If you don't have Sriracha, you can just use hot sauce.
• When tossing the tofu in the cornmeal mixture, be very careful as the tofu can easily break up.
• Add cold oil to a cold skillet and let heat up to proper temperature before adding the tofu. You’ll know it is ready when the oil starts to shimmer.
• To make the corn tortillas pliable, heat a small skillet over medium heat and cook for 30 seconds on each side. You can also cover the tortillas with a wet paper towel and place in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Other Taco Recipes

• Crispy Pork Carnitas
• Brussels Sprouts Tacos
• Grilled Chicken Tacos
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
• Sweet Potato Fajitas

If you’ve tried these tofu tacos or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.