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Salt and Pepper Tofu are super crispy and a staple Chinese restaurant dish! The fried tofu are seasoned and quickly fried until crispy and tossed with scallions, chilis, and garlic with a salt and white pepper seasoning mix! This is a great recipe for those who are vegetarian or looking to incorporate more tofu at the dinner table!
Check out the Salt and Pepper Tofu recipe video below!
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Salt and Pepper Tofu
Luckily, you won’t need many ingredients to make Salt and Pepper Tofu! These are probably items you already have in your pantry, and the salt and pepper tofu seasoning is SO SIMPLE!
- firm or extra firm tofu, drained and patted dry – Ensure you use firm or extra firm tofu for this recipe. You will want to avoid soft tofu as it will not hold up its shape when frying. If you have soft tofu, use it for my Chinese Silken Tofu which is equally delicious!
- egg
- cornstarch
- red chili pepper (I used fresno, de-seeded, chopped)
- green chili pepper (I used jalapeno, de-seeded, chopped)
- scallions
- garlic – I give them a fine mince – we do not want to brown the garlic; we only want to release the aroma into the green beans.
- neutral oil – My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. I find that the flavor profile does not usually go with the dish.
- Salt and Pepper Seasoning Mixture
- kosher salt
- white pepper
- sugar
- MSG or chicken bouillon powder
Don’t feel like frying? Make super crispy Air Fryer Tofu instead!
Recipe Instructions for Salt and Pepper Tofu
1. Drain and Prepare the Tofu
Remove the block of firm tofu or extra firm tofu from the package, drain well, and pat the block of tofu dry to remove any excess moisture from leaking out onto your cutting board. Cut lengthwise in half then in the opposite direction to form 2″ cubes.
2. Blanch the Tofu
Bring a pot of water to a boil and season with a tablespoon of kosher salt. This simple but important step will help firm up the tofu and allow it to hold its shape when frying. Add tofu to the boiling water, cover and turn the heat to low. Blanch for 5 minutes then drain. Pat the tofu cubes completely dry with a kitchen or paper towel. You want to remove as much moisture from the tofu as possible before the next step.
3. Season the Tofu
Once the tofu pieces are dry, add the tofu cubes to a large mixing bowl and give the tofu pieces an initial seasoning with kosher salt, white pepper and cornstarch. Mix them well until all the tofu cubes are properly coated in the seasonings.
4. Dredge the Tofu
Mix in a beaten egg to cover the tofu and mix. Dust the tofu cubes in a plate of cornstarch until fully coated. Shake off any excess cornstarch before frying the tofu pieces.
5. Fry the Tofu
In a large heavy bottom pot or wok, add enough neutral oil to cover the bottom by about 2 inches. Fry the tofu cubes at 375F for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. If necessary, fry the tofu in batches so the oil doesn’t drop below 350F. Remove and drain well on a wire rack or paper towel.
6. Sauté and finish the Salt and Pepper Tofu
In a separate pan, add 1 tbsp of neutral oil over medium high heat and add garlic and scallion whites. Sauté the aromatics for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the sliced red and green chilis and sauté for another minute. Add back the tofu and seasoning mixture and toss until well coated throughout. Garnish your Salt and Pepper Tofu with scallion greens and enjoy!
Frequent Asked Questions for Salt and Pepper Tofu
Can Salt and Pepper Tofu be made in the Air Fryer?
Yes! Follow the recipe through steps 1 through 4. Lay the dredged pieces of tofu onto your air fryer basket, then spray generously with a neutral oil spray such as avocado oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Air fry the tofu pieces at 375F for 10-12 minutes. Give them a flip and air fry for another 5 minutes until they’re super crispy. The time may need to be adjusted depending on the strength of your air fryer, so be sure to check the tofu throughout the air frying process to ensure they come out to a crisp golden brown! Finally, follow step 6 in the recipe and your Salt and Pepper Tofu is ready to serve!
Can I use different seasonings for Salt and Pepper Tofu?
Yes! You can absolutely change the seasoning mixture to your preference to create your own unique spice mix for Salt and Pepper Tofu! You can add different spices like ground Sichuan peppercorn for a spicy mouth-numbing kick, five spice powder, or ground black pepper. Add a quarter teaspoon of any of these spices and they will come out delicious!
Pro Tips for the Best Salt and Pepper Tofu:
- Use firm or extra-firm tofu: These types of tofu have a higher protein content and a firmer texture, which makes them ideal for frying. The firmness helps the tofu hold its shape and prevents it from becoming mushy.
- Blanching the tofu: Blanching the tofu briefly in boiling water helps to remove any residual flavors, soften the tofu slightly, and improve its ability to absorb seasonings. Be sure to drain and dry the tofu thoroughly after blanching to remove excess moisture.
- Cornstarch coating: Coating the tofu cubes in cornstarch before frying helps create a crispy exterior. Make sure to fully coat each piece with cornstarch, shaking off any excess, for a satisfying crunch.
- Maintain the oil temperature: When frying the tofu, it’s crucial to maintain the oil temperature around 375°F (190°C). Using a thermometer can help ensure the oil remains hot enough for the tofu to fry properly and develop a golden-brown crust.
- Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan when frying the tofu. Fry in small batches to ensure even cooking and prevent the oil temperature from dropping too much. Overcrowding can lead to uneven browning and soggy tofu.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to create a fantastic Salt and Pepper Tofu dish that’s bursting with flavor and has the perfect crispy texture. Enjoy experimenting and making this delightful recipe your own!
If you liked this Salt and Pepper Tofu recipe, check out some of the most vegetable recipes on the blog!
If you tried this Salt and Pepper Tofu or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Salt and Pepper Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 lb firm or extra firm tofu, drained and pat dry
- 1 egg
- 1 cup cornstarch, plus 2 tbsp
- 1 red chili, I used fresno, de-seeded, chopped
- 1 green chili, I used jalapeno, de-seeded, chopped
- 3 scallions, chopped, whites and greens separated
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
Seasoning Mixture
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp msg
Instructions
- Remove the block of firm tofu from the package, drain well, and pat dry. Cut lengthwise in half then in the opposite direction to form 2" cubes.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and season with a tablespoon of kosher salt. Add tofu to the boiling water, cover and turn the heat to low. Blanch for 5 minutes then drain. Pat the tofu cubes completely dry.
- In a bowl, add the tofu cubes and season with salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp of cornstarch.
- Mix in a beaten egg to cover the tofu and mix. Dust the tofu cubes in a plate of cornstarch until fully coated.
- Fry the tofu cubes at 375F for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. If necessary, fry them in batches so the oil doesn't drop below 350F. Remove and drain well on a wire rack or paper towel.
- In a separate pan, add 1 tbsp of neutral oil over medium high heat and add garlic and scallion whites. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the red and green chilis and saute for another minute. Add back the tofu and seasoning mixture and toss until well coated throughout. Garnish with scallion greens and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe looks delicious. Can’t wait to buy all the ingredients to make.
easy to follow! so good!
So good!
I have recently been craving tofu and was pleased to have found this recipe. Easy to make and delicious to eat as a snack!
So crispy and delicious!!!
So i have tried to deep fry tofu at home. Its never worked out so then I pay like 10 dollars for tofu at a restaurant. NEVER AGAIN!! Omg so good. My husband and I gobbled up the tofu so fast. 😍
I love your recipes so much. You are one of my go-tos!
We love fried tofu in our family and this was a hit
Tastes like a restaurant-quality meal.
Excellent in flavor and easy to make! Gonna be a staple around my house!
This came out perfect! I was very low on cornstarch, so I substituted arrowroot powder and I feel that actually allowed more of the flavor of the red and green peppers to come through. I also used jalapeño and Fresno peppers, and I added one habanero for some extra heat. I used avocado as my neutral oil and it was just right. Serve with sticky rice for a balancing sweetness to the salty spicy tofu and it’s a home run!