Crispy and Savory Fried Tofu Bites Recipe
Perfect for Kids’ Snacks or as an Appetizer! The Golden Recipe for Fried Tofu
Don’t you feel anxious when you run out of tofu at home? I always buy two packs when they’re on sale. I use one for soybean paste stew and make these crispy, savory fried tofu bites with the other. They are delicious with rice and make a great accompaniment to drinks.
Ingredients for Fried Tofu
- 1 block firm tofu (approx. 300g)
- 1 Tbsp sliced almonds
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 5 cloves whole garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 2/3 cup potato starch (approx. 80g)
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 green chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- A pinch of sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup
Fried Tofu Sauce
- 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s begin our journey to make crispy and delicious fried tofu bites!
Step 2
First, prepare all the ingredients for the dish. You’ll need 1 block of tofu, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds, 5 cloves of whole garlic, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sesame seeds, 1 red and 1 green chili pepper each, and 2/3 cup of potato starch.
Step 3
Thinly slice the whole garlic cloves. Remove the seeds from the red and green chili peppers and then finely chop them. Prepping the ingredients like this beforehand will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 4
Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes. After cutting, use paper towels to gently press and remove as much moisture as possible from the tofu. Removing excess moisture is crucial to prevent oil splattering when frying and to achieve a crispier texture.
Step 5
Coat the moisture-removed tofu evenly with potato starch. You can easily coat the tofu by placing it and the starch in a plastic bag and shaking it. The starch coating will create a crispy exterior when fried.
Step 6
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the starch-coated tofu and fry until golden brown and crispy. Make sure to space the tofu pieces so they don’t stick together, and turn them occasionally to ensure all sides are evenly browned. Once golden and crispy, place the fried tofu on paper towels briefly to absorb excess oil.
Step 7
Now, let’s make the sauce that will define the flavor of your fried tofu! In a small bowl, mix together 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. In a separate pan, add a little oil and sauté the sliced garlic until fragrant. Once the garlic is aromatic, pour in the prepared sauce. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce simmers and slightly thickens. Remove from heat once it reaches a glaze-like consistency.
Step 8
Add the fried crispy tofu to the prepared sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. Be careful not to overcook or stir for too long, as this can make the tofu lose its crispiness. Quickly toss to ensure the sauce coats each piece.
Step 9
Finally, add the chopped red and green chili peppers, sprinkle with sliced almonds and sesame seeds for a visually appealing and flavorful finish. The chilies and almonds add both color and texture, making the dish more complete.
Step 10
It’s important to ensure the sauce coats the tofu well when tossing. However, avoid overcooking, as it can make the tofu soggy. Toss quickly to coat, as if glazing, and finish.
Step 11
Lastly, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for an extra nutty aroma, and your delicious fried tofu is ready!
Step 12
The key to great fried tofu is its ‘crispiness’! Properly managing the frying process and the time spent tossing with the sauce is crucial.
Step 13
Your wonderfully crispy fried tofu bites, with a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors, are now complete. They are delicious with a bowl of warm rice or as a perfect companion to a cold beer!
