Crispy Fried Tofu with Sweet & Sour Sauce
Thick tofu strips coated in a light, shatteringly crisp crust, fried until beautifully golden and crunchy on the outside, soft and tender within. Tossed or served alongside a vibrant, glossy sweet-and-sour sauce — perfectly balanced between tangy, sweet, and savoury, with a hint of aromatic garlic and fresh chilli. Crispy, juicy, and utterly moreish — completely plant-based, egg-free, and dairy-free!
Shared by yuki
Time
45 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
easy
🛒 Ingredients
- #Crispy Tofu;
- 400 g extra-firm tofu — pressed well.. 4 tbsp cornstarch or potato starch.. 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt.. ¼ tsp white pepper.. 60–80 ml cold water — make a smooth batter
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch).. Neutral oil — for shallow or deep frying
- #Sweet & Sour Sauce;
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar.. 3 tbsp maple syrup or coconut sugar.. 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup or tomato paste.. 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger.. 2 garlic cloves — minced
- 1 fresh red chilli — finely chopped (optional).. 150 ml water
- 1½ tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water — slurry
- #Garnish;
- Fresh scallion — thinly sliced
- Sesame seeds — toasted
👩🍳 Instructions
- 1
Press & cut tofu: Wrap tofu in a clean towel, place a weight on top, and press 15 minutes to remove moisture. Cut into thick sticks or chunks about 1.5 cm wide. Pat completely dry — drier tofu = crispier crust!
- 2
Make crisp batter: Whisk cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, and cold water into a smooth, thick batter. Dip tofu pieces fully in batter, then roll generously in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to coat evenly all over.
- 3
Fry to golden perfection: Heat oil to medium-high (about 175°C). Carefully lower tofu in batches — do not overcrowd. Fry 3–4 minutes per batch until deep golden, crisp, and firm to the touch. Drain briefly on paper towels.
- 4
Simmer the sauce: In a small pan, combine vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, ketchup, ginger, garlic, chilli, and water. Bring to a simmer, stir in cornstarch slurry, and cook 2–3 minutes until thick, glossy, and beautifully smooth. Taste and adjust sweet-sour balance to your liking.
- 5
Combine & serve: Toss hot crispy tofu gently in the sauce, or serve sauce in a bowl alongside for dipping. Garnish generously with scallion and toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately while hot and perfectly crisp!