Indulge in these irresistible Crispy Fried Tofu Bites! Firm tofu bits dredged in flavorful batter and potato starch, then fried until golden perfection.
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Welcome back to my veganuary series, where I share easy to follow vegan-friendly dishes. For the third instalment of this series, we have the mouthwatering crispy tofu bites.
If you’re trying to incorporate some tofu into your diet, this dish could just be the one for you to start with! Not only is it nourishing, but you’ll also enjoy a satisfying crunch with every bite.
It’s an easy dish that can be enjoyed with rice, or just by itself as a simple appetizer. These fried tofu bites also make for a great weeknight meal option as it can be made within 30 minutes or less!
Crispy Fried Tofu Bites
Taking inspiration from the chicken karaage, I dredge torn up tofu into the wet batter, followed by potato starch, before frying in oil until it turns a beautiful golden brown.
The best thing about tofu is that they soak up the flavors easily–even more so once you’ve squeezed out the water! The batter itself is so rich and savory, that even without pairing it with a dipping sauce, it’s downright scrumptious.
Notes for Crispy Fried Tofu Bites
Do I need to use frozen tofu?
No, you can use normal firm or extra-firm tofu that’s not frozen. However, I do recommend giving frozen tofu a try. I like using this method for recipes that require frying. The tofu becomes more firm, has a chewier and spongier texture, which in turn helps in absorbing flavors more easily.
You can get frozen tofu in an Asian grocer in the freezer section, or make them yourself at home!
How to make frozen tofu?
All you need to do is remove tofu from the package and place in a ziploc bag/container and freeze overnight. The next day, microwave for 3-4 minutes. Once it’s cool enough to touch, squeeze out as much water as possible (careful of the hot water from the tofu) or press it down with something heavy.
If you plan to use the tofu in different batches or recipes, portion it up before freezing or use different bags to separate the tofu.
Can I make crispy fried tofu bites in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make this in an air fryer. However, I recommend coating the tofu with panko crumbs instead.
Ingredients You’ll Need
(For full ingredient measurements, please proceed to the recipe card below.)
- Firm tofu
- Potato starch
- Mayo or sauce of choice
- Lemon wedges (optional)
- Salt
Wet batter
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Potato starch
- All purpose flour
- Light soy sauce
- Water
How to make crispy fried tofu bites
- Mix all the ingredients for the wet batter until well combined.
- Squeeze out as much water as possible from the tofu and tear it into bite sized pieces with your hands (see notes). Add to wet batter and coat well.
- Dredge each piece of batter coated tofu into potato starch, shake off excess and shallow/deep fry util golden brown (see notes).
- Once it’s cooked and still hot, sprinkle a bit of salt over the tofu to taste. Serve with mayo or your favorite sauce and lemon wedges. Enjoy!
More Tofu Recipes
- Tofu Veggie Stir Fry
- Chili Garlic Silken Tofu (10 Minutes)
- Malaysian Stuffed Tofu (Tauhu Sumbat)
- Chili Oil Soft Tofu Eggs
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Crispy Fried Tofu Bites
Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu
- potato starch for dredging
- mayo or sauce of choice
- lemon wedges optional
- salt
Wet batter
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- 1/4 cup potato starch
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/4 cup + 3 tbsp water
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients for the wet batter until well combined.
- Squeeze out as much water as possible from the tofu and tear it into bite sized pieces with your hands (see notes). Add to wet batter and coat well.
- Dredge each piece of batter coated tofu into potato starch, shake off excess and shallow/deep fry util golden brown (see notes).
- Once it's cooked and still hot, sprinkle a bit of salt over the tofu to taste. Serve with mayo or your favorite sauce and lemon wedges. Enjoy!
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