If you are looking for easy tofu recipes to include in your diet, then this the dish. It is simple basic fried tofu topped with chilli oil, scallions. Super simple, but filling and addictive when served hot. This makes a great ramen or rice bowl topping.
Fried Tofu with chilli oil
I bought a packet of tofu and looking for new recipes to try. First I thought of making tofu pakora, then decided to make something totally different. Suddenly I remember a simple dish which I had in China.
It is nothing but fried tofu topped with chilli oil and other garnishes. I remembered a bottle of chilli oil sitting in my pantry, so I thought of using that as a topping for my fried tofu.
About Fried Tofu with Chilli Oil
Somedays all we need a plate of simple dishes that is healthy, protein rich, filling and also tasty. This is one kind of dish. It is just fried tofu topped with chilli oil and spring onions. I have already shared a crispy tofu recipe, which is made by coating tofu in panko and fried.
This is just firm tofu fried in oil and topped with homemade chilli oil or store bought. Tofu when fried gets somehow fluffy inside and once it gets a chilli oil topping, the oil just seeps through the tofu making it super flavourful.
One tip for this dish is, you have to press the tofu in multiple layers of paper towel with weight on top to remove excess moisture from the tofu. This step is non negotiable. Removing the moisture is important so the tofu fries better and doesn't splatter oil much.
Similar Recipes
Fried tofu can be made so many different ways. I have tried a Thai version of fried tofu before which is coated in cornstarch before frying. Coating them in cornstarch makes the tofu super crispy. Thai fried tofu has a sweet chilli peanut dipping sauce or glaze drizzled over it. It is super addictive, I have made it before, you can check this video.
I used Chinese chilli oil as topping since it has peanuts and Schezwan peppercorn so the flavouring is super flavourful.
Similar Recipes
Ingredients
- Tofu - Make sure to use firm or extra firm tofu. Since it fries better, silken or soft tofu doesn't work in this recipe. Straining tofu with paper towel is important to remove any excess water from it.
- Oil - Use neutral cooking oil like sunflower, peanut oil or canola oil for frying.
- Toppings - You can top the tofu with store bought or homemade chilli oil. Garnish with chopped green onions.
Step by Step Pictures
1)Unwrap tofu from its packaging. Wrap the tofu in paper towel.
2)Place a weight on top and leave it to strain for 15 minutes. This step removes any excess moisture from the tofu.
3)I am using 200 grams block of extra firm tofu. Cut it into chunky pieces.
4)Heat oil for deep frying. Once the oil is hot, drop tofu cubes into the oil.
5)Fry the tofu for 3 to 4 minutes on each sides.
6)It will get golden brown and crispy.
7)Remove the fried tofu from oil and place on some paper towel. Let the excess oil drip off.
8)Now to serve the fried tofu. Place the fried tofu cubes on a serving place. Top with 1 tablespoon of chilli oil and spring onions. Serve this dish immediately. Enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Make sure to use firm or extra firm tofu. Since it fries better, silken or soft tofu doesn't work in this recipe.
- Straining tofu with paper towel is important to remove any excess water from it.
- Fry the tofu in neutral oil so it gets crispy and golden.
- You can top the tofu with store bought or homemade chilli oil.
- You can coat the tofu in cornstarch before frying for even more crispy texture.
Storage and Serving
Fried tofu with chilli oil is best served piping hot immediately. As it cools the tofu might get hard and tough. You can use this fried tofu for ramen topping or rice bowl topping.
FAQ
Q: Can I use soft tofu or silken tofu in this recipe?
Make sure to use firm or extra firm tofu. Since it fries better, silken or soft tofu doesn't work in this recipe.
Q: Which oil is best for frying tofu?
Use neutral cooking oil like sunflower, peanut oil or canola oil for frying.
Q: Do you have recipe for chilli oil on this blog?
yes I do have a homemade chilli oil recipe. It is great as topping for this fried tofu.
Q: Do I need to coat my tofu with any flour before frying?
I didn't use any coating for my tofu, but you can use a coating of cornstarch for more crispy texture.
📖 Get Recipe
Fried Tofu with Chilli Oil Recipe
Ingredients
- 200 grams Extra Firm Tofu
- Sunflower Oil for deep frying
For Serving
- 6 tablespoon Chilli Oil
- 6 tablespoon Scallions (Green Onions) chopped finely
Instructions
- Unwrap tofu from its packaging. Wrap the tofu in paper towel. Place a weight on top and leave it to strain for 15 minutes. This step removes any excess moisture from the tofu.
- I am using 200 grams block of extra firm tofu. Cut it into 6 chunky pieces.
- Heat oil for deep frying. Once the oil is hot, drop tofu cubes into the oil. Fry the tofu for 3 to 4 minutes on each sides. It will get golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the fried tofu from oil and place on some paper towel. Let the excess oil drip off.
- Now to serve the fried tofu. Place the fried tofu cubes on a serving place. Top with 1 tablespoon of chilli oil and spring onions. Serve this dish immediately. Enjoy.
Nutrition
Tried this Recipe
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sutapa Purkayastha
Looking very tempting .