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    The Curry Mommy » Asian

    Chinese Salt and Pepper Tofu

    Published: Sep 24, 2021 · Modified: Nov 3, 2021 by The Curry Mommy · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This Chinese Salt and Pepper Tofu Recipe is a vegan Chinese recipe that is a copycat of my Salt and Pepper Chicken recipe

    If you are a vegetarian and want to try a Chinese tofu dish, then give this Salt and Pepper Tofu recipe a try! It's spiced with peppers, onions, and of course salt. The end result is a delicious 5 spice Chinese tofu recipe that is finger-licking good!

    a bowl full of a favorite chinese take out recipe salt and pepper tofu fried crispy

    I highly recommended trying this delicious crispy tofu recipe with fried rice or noodles to make it a complete meal. It also pairs well with cold beverages.

    A great dish to take to gatherings or enjoy on a weekend with your loved ones.


    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Equipment Needed
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Storage and Reheating
    • Pair it with...
    • Top Tips
    • 📖 Recipe
    • How to make Salt and Pepper Tofu Video
    • FAQ
    • 💬 Community

    Ingredients

    • corn starch
    • Chinese 5 spice
    • white pepper
    • black pepper
    • salt
    • white onion
    • jalapeno pepper
    • garlic
    • extra firm tofu, patted dry - (Trader Joe's Sprouted Tofu is a great choice)
    • green onion (scallions)

    Instructions

    Make the corn starch mixture by mixing the corn starch, Chinese 5 spice, black pepper, and salt together. Set it aside.

    corn starch and 5 spices in a bowl

    Pat the tofu dry using kitchen towels or paper towels. Remove as much excess water as possible from the extra firm tofu. Then cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces and coat them in the corn starch and 5 spice mixture.

    Deep fry the tofu for about three minutes or until it is crisp. I love using my HexClad pans to fry in.

    Frying Tofu in olive oil

    In another pan, heat a little oil and saute the chopped white onion and jalapeno until al dente. Add the grated or chopped garlic, salt, black pepper, green onion, and white pepper.

    • saute onions and jalapenos diced in a pan
    • onions peppers salt and pepper in a pan being cooked

    Mix quickly and then add the fried tofu pieces. Saute for about 2 minutes and serve warm.

    bowl full of tofu that is crisp with onions and peppers

    Equipment Needed

    1. deep frying pot (I love my Hexclad pans for frying)
    2. wok or equivalent
    3. spatula
    4. microplane (optional)
    5. cutting board and knife
    6. bowls
    7. paper towels
    8. tongs
    9. skimmer or frying ladle

    Substitutions

    • Extra Firm Tofu - substitute with chicken, shrimp, or cauliflower
    • Jalapeno- bell pepper for a less spicy version
    • White Onion- substitute with red onion

    Variations

    • Gluten Free- This recipe is naturally gluten-free. If Celiac, be sure to use gluten-free labeled ingredients to prevent contamination.
    • Air Fry- I do not recommend air-frying this recipe.
    • Garlic- can used minced, chopped, or blended garlic but fresh is recommended.

    Storage and Reheating

    Freezer Friendly- the fried tofu pieces may be frozen for a few months

    Reheating- Simply air fry the fried tofu pieces until they are heated through. Then toss it with the onions, jalapenos, and spices.


    Pair it with...

    1. Rice
    2. Manchow Soup
    3. Paneer chili

    Other Vegan Recipes...

    • tahini pasta in a bowl with parsley and red chili flakes on top
      Creamy Tahini Pasta
    • sev usal in a bowl with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and soup
      Sev Usal Recipe
    • round bowl with greek sauce and herbs on top sesame seed sprinke
      Lemon Herb Tahini Sauce
    • Micro greens side salad with baby greens and garlic in a bowl with a fork on the side
      Indian Salad Recipe with Greens

    Top Tips

    1. Pat the tofu as dry as possible with towels
    2. Fry the tofu on high heat to get crispy tofu
    3. The smaller the tofu pieces the quicker the frying time will be.
    4. This recipe calls for extra salt. It really does make the recipe come together.

    Other Asian Inspired Recipes...

    • fakeaway chinese salt and pepper chicken recipe homemade in a bowl with jalapeno onion and fried chicken
      Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken
    • 1200 momo chutney recipe in a bowl with green scallions on top
      Momo Chutney Recipe
    • vegan momos in a place with scallions and red chili oil over it
      Vegan Momos with Chutney
    • chinese chicken curry in a bowl
      Easy Indo Chinese Chicken Curry with Onions

    📖 Recipe

    a bowl full of a favorite chinese take out recipe salt and pepper tofu fried crispy

    Chinese Salt and Pepper Tofu Recipe

    The Curry Mommy
    A quick crispy fried tofu recipe that is a delicious vegan take on a Chinese dish. This recipe is perfect for an appetizer or a compliment to an Asian inspired meal.
    5 from 5 votes
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine Chinese
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 250 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wok or equivalent
    • Frying Ladle
    • Frying pan to fry
    • Bowl + Paper Towel to drain fried chicken
    • Knife and Cutting Board
    • Microplane (optional for garlic)

    Ingredients
      

    Corn Starch Mixture

    • ¾ cup corn starch
    • 1 tablespoon Chinese 5 spice
    • 1 tablespoon black pepper
    • ¾ tablespoon salt (I use Morton's Iodized salt)
    • 14 oz tofu, patted dry with a towel and cut into small pieces

    Salt and Pepper Chicken Ingredients

    • 1 teaspoon white pepper
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 1 medium white onion, diced
    • 2 medium jalapenos, diced
    • 4 sprigs green onions/scallions, diced
    • ½ tablespoon oil
    • oil, for frying (I use extra light olive oil)
    • 3 cloves garlic, either minced, grated, or chopped finely

    Instructions
     

    Corn Starch Mixture

    • Combine the corn starch, Chinese 5 spice, salt, and black pepper together.
    • Add the tofu to the corn starch mixture, mix it until coated, and set it aside.

    Frying the Tofu

    • Heat oil in a frying pan on high heat.
    • Dust off the extra corn starch mixture from the tofu and then fry it until golden brown (about 3 minutes).
    • Drain excess oil from the fried tofu by placing it in a bowl/tray with paper towels under it.

    Salt and Pepper Tofu

    • In a pan, heat ½ tablespoon of oil and cook the diced onions and jalapenos for about 2-3 minutes on high heat (add extra oil if needed).
    • Add in the garlic, white pepper, green onions, and salt.
    • Mix quickly and then toss in the fried tofu pieces immediately.
    • Cook for about 2-3 minutes.
    • Serve warm

    Video

    Notes

    This dish is called "salt and pepper" for a reason. Hence, extra salt and pepper are used to season the chicken.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 2700mgPotassium: 1mgFiber: 1gCalcium: 9mgIron: 10mg
    Keyword tofu, vegan
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @TheCurryMommy or #thecurrymommy!

    How to make Salt and Pepper Tofu Video


    FAQ

    Can the tofu be air-fried?

    For this recipe, I do not recommend it.

    Can you freeze tofu?

    Yes! It will actually give a really firm texture after being frozen. Thaw it completely and pat it dry before continuing with this recipe.

    Is salt and pepper tofu a vegan Chinese recipe?

    Yes! The ingredients used to make this recipe do not contain any animal products.

    What to eat with salt and pepper tofu?

    Pair it with fried rice or lo mein noodles.

    Can I use preseasoned 5 spice tofu?

    Yes! Hodo Tofu makes a great variation of this and it is perfect to use.


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. The Curry Mommy says

      June 20, 2024 at 10:16 am

      Thank you for sharing your experience with the recipe. I am glad you liked it :).

    2. Brandi Lopes says

      April 26, 2024 at 5:35 pm

      5 stars
      I did in fact, place it in the air fryer sprayed with avocado oil! It came out delicious. Thank you for such a fantastic recipe.

    5 from 5 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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