Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu
Crispy Salt and Pepper Tofu made in the air fryer! Light, crunchy, and tossed in garlic, shallots, and Sichuan peppercorns—your new favorite takeout-inspired vegan dish.
Ingredients
For the Air Frying Tofu:
- 16 oz Extra Firm Tofu Pressed, Cubed
- 3 tbsp Corn Starch or potato starch
- 2 tsp White Pepper
- 1 tsp Sea Salt
- 1 tbsp Cooking Spray or oil for misting
For the stir-fry :
- 1 tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- ½ Jalapenos
- ¼ cup Shallots finely chopped
- 2 Scallions chopped
Spice Mix for Sprinkling:
- ¼ tsp Sichuan Peppercorns crushed
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp White Pepper
- ⅛ tsp Chinese Five Spice Powder
- ¼ tsp Salt
Instructions
Air Fry Tofu
- Press the tofu for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Cut the tofu into bite sized cubes.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together corn starch, white pepper, and salt.
- Add tofu pieces and gently toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Spray with cooking spray until all pieces are coated.
- Transfer the tofu pieces to a parchment lined air fryer tray.
- Air fry at 375-400 ℉ for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden and crispy.
Salt and Pepper Tofu
- In a wok or pan over medium low heat, add cooking oil and allow it to heat up.
- Add minced garlic, sauté for 30-60 seconds. Then add chopped shallots, chopped scallions, and sliced jalapenos, along with a pinch of seasoning powder, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add the air fried tofu pieces, and stir to combine all ingredients. Sprinkle with a couple of pinches of seasoning powder. Remove from heat.
- Transfer to a bowl, and garnish with more green onions.
Notes
- Press the tofu for 20–30 minutes to remove excess moisture—this helps it crisp up better.
- Don’t skip the spice mix – it’s what gives this tofu its signature flavor.
- Use fresh aromatics for the stir-fry to get the best flavor payoff.
- Leftovers keep well – Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days and re-crisp in the air fryer or oven.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 210kcal
Tried This Recipe?Mention us @Berry_Berry_Life or #berryberrylife