Panko Crispy Fried Tofu w/ Salt and Pepper Powder

November 6, 2020Mrs. Lin's Kitchen
panko crispy fried tofu

Today, I’m sharing another fried tofu recipe: the panko crispy fried tofu. I will also show you how to make the salt and pepper powder that does very well with the fried tofu

What makes this recipe different from my last recipe is that I coated the tofu with panko, the Japanese bread crumbs. The panko layer makes the tofu super crunchy and crispy on the outside but the inside is still soft and warm. The panko crispy fried tofu tastes delicious when you dip it in the homemade salt and pepper powder.

Ingredients

panko crispy fried tofu
  • 1 medium firm/firm/extra firm tofu
  • 1 egg
  • Potato/corn flour
  • Panko/bread crumb (or gluten-free panko)

I used firm tofu for this recipe but medium firm or extra firm are okay, too. I wouldn’t recommend soft tofu because it is too soft for frying.

panko crispy fried tofu

Panko is the Japanese breadcrumbs but lighter and flakier. It’s mostly used as a coating for fried food. You can also use it as a topping. Panko can be found in most Asian supermarket, online and even the Asian aisle in regular supermarket like Safeway and Raley’s. Gluten free panko is also available if you have gluten allergy.

Salt and Pepper Powder

panko crispy fried tofu
  • 4 tsp of Sichuan peppercorns
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 tsp of white pepper
  • 1 tsp of black pepper
  • 1 tsp of fennel seed
  • 3 tsp of salt

Panko Crispy Fried Tofu Recipe

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Panko Crispy Fried Tofu w/ Salt and Pepper Powder

Ingredients

  • 1 block tofu, firm, medium firm or extra firm
  • 1 egg
  • potato or corn flour
  • panko or gluten-free panko

Salt and Pepper Powder

  • 4 tsp Sichuan Peppercorn
  • 1 star anise
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 1 tsp fennel seed
  • 3 tsp salt

Instructions

Salt and Pepper Powder

  • 1)

    In a wok, add 4 teaspoons of Sichuan peppercorn, 1 star anise, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of white pepper, and 1 teaspoon of fennel seed.
    Roast on medium-high heat until everything is fragrant.

  • 2)

    Add 3 teaspoons of salt and continue to roast along with the other ingredients until the salt turns light yellow. Be careful not to burn the ingredients. Turn off the heat and let it cool down

  • 3)

    Grind everything using a coffee grinder. You can use mortar and pestle too. Set aside.

Prep and Fry Tofu

  • 1)

    Open the tofu box and drain out all the water

  • 2)

    Put some paper towels on a flat plate and place the block of tofu in the middle. Place some more paper towels on top of the tofu.
    Add some weight on top of the tofu to help squeeze out all the excess water.
    Leave it for about 30 to 50 minutes.

  • 3)

    Cut the tofu into 16 equal portions (triangle or rectangular shape)

  • 4)

    Coat the tofu pieces with potato flour, egg, and panko. Keep coating in that order until you’re done with all the tofu

  • 5)

    Heat up the oil on medium-high heat until it reaches about 200 degree Fahrenheit

  • 6)

    Add the breaded tofu and fry it until the outer layer turns light yellow

  • 7)

    Take tofu out and let it rest for about 2 minutes

  • 8)

    After 2 minutes, fry panko tofu again for the second time until it becomes golden brown and crispy on the outside.

  • 9)

    Serve warm with salt and pepper powder

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