Crispy Fried Tofu (Vegan Karaage Recipe)

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Learn how to make this delectable Japanese karaage-style Fried Tofu! With a crunchy exterior and a juicy interior, this dish is so delicious and satisfying you won’t believe it’s just tofu!

Looking for delicious tofu dishes? Try my Crispy Tofu Katsu, Tofu Donburi, or Agedashi Tofu Recipe!

Fried tofu served on a plate.

I’ll walk you through the ingredients and step-by-step instructions. I hope you enjoy it!

Why You Will Love This Recipe 

  • This fried tofu dish is a simple and delicious choice for a vegan lunch and dinner.
  • The garlic ginger soy sauce infuses the tofu with rich, umami flavors.
  • The crispy texture and savory flavor make it a hit with kids and adults alike.

Karaage

Karaage is a popular Japanese cooking method made by marinating pieces of meat or fish, usually chicken, in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and other seasonings. The marinated meat is then coated in flour or potato starch and deep-fried until crispy and golden brown.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Crispy Fried Tofu Recipe:

Crispy fried tofu ingredients.
  • Tofu: Use frozen tofu for a firm and meat-like texture.
  • Garlic ginger soy sauce: This homemade sauce, made with minced ginger, garlic, and soy sauce, is versatile and adds flavor to any savory dish, from stir-fries to fried rice. For a quicker alternative, mix soy sauce with grated garlic and ginger.
  • Potato starch: Coating the tofu with potato starch gives it a satisfying crunch. You can substitute with wheat flour or rice flour for a lighter texture.

How To Make Fried Tofu: STEP BY STEP 

Here are some quick visual instructions! For the video and all the detailed ingredients and instructions, go to the printable recipe card below.

How to make crispy fried tofu.

Step 1

Freeze the tofu, thaw naturally, and drain thoroughly.

How to make crispy fried tofu.

Step 2

Combine the tofu with garlic ginger soy sauce.

How to make crispy fried tofu.

Step 3

Coat a piece of tofu with potato starch.

How to make crispy fried tofu.

Step 4

Pan-fry the tofu until golden brown and crispy.

Fried tofu served on a plate.

The crunchy texture is simply irresistible! Just be sure to enjoy them while they’re still crispy, as they can become a bit tough over time.

Recipe Tips

  • After thawing the tofu, gently press out any excess moisture. This helps the tofu absorb the marinade better.
  • If the tofu starts to crumble when squeezing out the water, mix in a bit of potato starch. This will help the tofu hold together better, making it easier to handle and pan-fry.

What To Serve With

To complement this crispy fried dish, I recommend serving it with Japanese steamed rice, wakame miso soup, kinpira gobo, and daikon salad.

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Fried tofu served on a plate.

More Vegetarian Tofu Recipes You Will Love

Leave a Rating!

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Fried tofu served on a plate.

Crispy Fried Tofu (Vegan Karaage Recipe)

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Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Juri Austin
Learn how to make this delectable Japanese karaage-style Fried Tofu! With a crunchy exterior and a juicy interior, this dish is so delicious and satisfying you won’t believe it's just tofu!

Equipment

  • Frying Pan 22 cm (9 inches)

Ingredients

  • 1 Tofu, 300g, frozen
  • Tbsp Garlic Ginger Soy Sauce
  • 3 Tbsp Potato Starch
  • Vegetable Oil, for pan-frying

Instructions

  • Preparation: Place the tofu in the freezer and freeze it a day before you plan to use it. When ready, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw naturally.
  • Marinate: Drain the water from the tofu, then tear it into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Add the garlic ginger soy sauce, mix well, and marinate for about 5 minutes.
  • Pan-fry: Heat some vegetable oil in a frying pan. Take each piece of tofu, squeeze out any excess moisture, coat it with potato starch, and fry in the pan until golden brown and crispy.
  • Drain Excess Oil: Transfer the fried tofu to a wire rack to drain off any excess oil.

Notes

  • After thawing the tofu, gently press out any excess moisture. This helps the tofu absorb the marinade better.
  • If the tofu starts to crumble when squeezing out the water, mix in a bit of potato starch. This will help the tofu hold together better, making it easier to handle and pan-fry.
  • Garlic ginger soy sauce is a versatile homemade sauce. For a quicker alternative, mix soy sauce with grated garlic and ginger.

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece | Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 8g
Course: Main
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: crispy fried tofu
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