Salt and Pepper Tofu

Family's favourite quick and easy Chinese Salt and Pepper Tofu recipe with crispy fried tofu tossed in flavourful salt and pepper seasonings. One of the most popular Chinese takeaway tofu recipes that everyone loves.

If you love tofu dishes, you'll definitely enjoy our Spicy Tofu Stir Fry recipe too.

Family Favourite Salt And Pepper Tofu!

Chinese takeaway-style salt and pepper tofu is one of my all-time favourite dishes. It's so good, and we can’t get enough of it! I started making it at home, and it quickly became a hit with my whole family. 

Since my son loves tofu, I make a mild version without chilli flakes that’s perfect for kids, but you can easily build up the spice.

This light, protein-packed tofu dish is perfect for meat-free days and super versatile. You can customise the veggies and seasonings to suit your taste. Plus, it’s delicious, so addictive, and budget-friendly!

Ingredients you'll need

Tofu choice

Firm tofu or extra firm tofu is ideal to use. make crispy fried tofu. You can also use paneer or tempeh ( Indonesian fermented bean curd ) as well.

If you want to have with other protein or vegetables, you can try out our Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken, and Salt and Pepper Chips recipes.

Vegetables

Onions, bell peppers, chilli pepper, spring onions.

Seasoning Spice Mix

Fine salt, white pepper powder, and Chinese five-spice powder are a base spice mix. Add a bit of chicken powder or msg if you want to taste exactly like your favourite takeout crispy tofu.

For Vegetarians, add dashi vegetarian seasoning powder, sugar, or msg.

How To Make Salt and Pepper Tofu

1. Prepare Tofu and Coating

1. First, gently press the tofu between two paper towels to remove excess water. Then cut the tofu into medium-sized cubes, approximately 1-1.5 inches in size.

2. Next, coat with cornstarch. Toss excess flour out before frying.

2. Fry Tofu and Toss with Seasonings

1. Fry in high-heat vegetable oil for 5-6 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
2. Remove from the oil and transfer to a paper towel or wire rack.
3. Heat the large wok or pan over medium-high heat, add oil and stir-fry the onion and garlic for a few seconds until fragrant.
4. Next, add the bell pepper, stir for 1 minute, and then add the chilli slices and chilli flakes.
5. Add fried tofu back in the wok and sprinkle the seasoning powder mix.
6. Toss well to combine everything evenly for 1-2 minutes. Finish the dish with chopped spring onions, turn off the heat and transfer to a serving plate.

My Quick Tips for Perfectly Crisp Flavourful Tofu

• Use neutral flavour oils like sunflower, peanut, grapeseed, canola, or vegetable oil. These oils are best for deep frying, and the oil flavour does not overpower the tofu dish.
• To pan-fry tofu, use a large pan or wok and fry the tofu over medium-high heat. Gently flip with a tong or chopstick and fry each side until the coating is crisp.
• You can make a salt and pepper seasoning mix in a big batch and store it in an air-tight jar for later use. Sprinkle it over your deep-fried dishes and stir-fry dishes for an aromatic Chinese taste and flavour.
• Drain the water from the tofu packaging and pat the tofu block dry with paper towels. Gently press it to remove excess moisture. This process keeps the tofu coating crispy and reduces splattering when deep-frying with hot oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is tofu made of?

Tofu is made from fermented bean curd and originated in China. It is a staple ingredient in Chinese and Oriental cuisines. There are two different types of tofu, firm tofu and soft tofu. It can be cooked on its own to make fried tofu or added to stir-fries, soups, and curries.

Can you salt and pepper tofu in an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake or fry the tofu in an air fryer. Spray the coated tofu cubes with cooking oil. Bake or air fry it in a preheated 350°F (177 °C) oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the coating is crispy. Flip halfway through. Then tossed with the vegetables and seasonings in the large wok or pan.

Can you make it extra spicy?

To make Sichuan-style spicy salt and chilli tofu, you can add crushed Sichuan peppercorns and dry chilli pepper flakes to the seasoning powder mix.

Watch How To Make Recipe Video

My Favourite Pairings

Simply serve with plain rice, Egg Fried Rice Or Noodles. You can also pair it with other dishes like Chinese Beef Noodle Soup, Chicken Fried Rice, Soy Sauce Chicken Noodles, Mushroom Chow Mein or Plain Chow Mein and make it a perfect family dinner.

More Delicious Chinese Appetiser Recipes

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