Crunchy Spicy Garlic Tofu

Here’s a delicious recipe for Spicy & Crispy Garlic Tofu! The tofu is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a flavorful, spicy garlic sauce. It’s perfect as an appetizer, a side dish, or served over rice or noodles.

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

For the Tofu:

  • 1 block (14 oz) extra-firm tofu
  • 1/3 cup tapioca starch (or arrowroot powder)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons oil of choice (for frying)

For the Spicy Garlic Sauce:

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, sliced (seeded)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha (or any hot sauce of your choice)
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoon water (to thin the sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
  • 1-2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Press the Tofu:

  • First, drain the tofu and press it to remove excess moisture. You can use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object (like a can or a skillet) on top for about 15-20 minutes. This step helps the tofu crisp up when frying.

2. Prepare the Tofu & Coat:

  • Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes (about 1-inch pieces).
  • In a shallow bowl, mix together the tapioca starch (or arrowroot powder) and salt.
  • Toss the tofu cubes in mixture to evenly coat. The cornstarch helps the tofu become crispy when fried.

3. Fry the Tofu:

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  • Once hot, carefully add the tofu cubes to the pan in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Fry the tofu for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
  • Once crispy, remove the tofu from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

4. Make the Spicy Garlic Sauce:

  • In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the minced garlic, grated ginger, and jalapeno slices over medium heat for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
  • Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sriracha, sesame oil, and black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
  • Add a little water to thin the sauce if it’s too thick.

5. Combine and Serve:

  • Add the crispy tofu back into the pan with the spicy garlic sauce. Gently toss to coat the tofu in the sauce, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
  • Cook for another 2-3 minutes, letting the sauce soak into the tofu and caramelize slightly.

6. Garnish and Serve:

  • Remove from heat and sprinkle the tofu with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for extra flavor and crunch.
  • Serve the crunchy spicy garlic tofu with steamed rice, noodles, or as a topping for a salad.

Tips:

  • Extra Crispy Tofu: For even crispier tofu, after frying, you can place the tofu on a wire rack instead of a paper towel. This helps air circulate around the tofu, keeping it crispy.
  • Adjust the Spice Level: You can adjust the heat of this dish by adding more or less sriracha or hot sauce. For a milder version, replace the sriracha with a bit of smoked paprika or chili powder.
  • Serve It With: This tofu is delicious served over steamed jasmine rice, quinoa, or mixed with sautéed vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers.

This Crunchy Spicy Garlic Tofu is bursting with bold flavors and makes a fantastic addition to any meal. It’s crispy, spicy, and savory—sure to be a favorite in your recipe rotation! Enjoy!