Fried Tofu Recipe

Press the Tofu

Wrap the firm tofu in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place a heavy object on top (like a cast iron skillet) to press out excess moisture. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

Cut the Tofu

After pressing, unwrap the tofu and cut it into bite-sized cubes (about 1-inch pieces).

Prepare the Coating

In a mixing bowl, combine the cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Mix well to ensure even distribution of the spices.

Coat the Tofu

Add the tofu cubes to the bowl with the cornstarch mixture. Toss gently until all sides of the tofu are evenly coated.

Heat the Oil

In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. You can test if it's ready by adding a small piece of tofu; it should sizzle immediately.

Fry the Tofu

Carefully add the coated tofu cubes to the pan in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Drain the Tofu

Once the tofu is golden and crispy, remove it from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Season the Tofu

While the tofu is still warm, drizzle the soy sauce over it and toss gently to coat.

Serve

Serve the fried tofu hot as an appetizer or main dish with your favorite dipping sauce.