Vegetarian Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu

Are you ready for this game-changer? My Vegetarian Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu might beat traditional chicken for me!

Attention all Taiwanese Food lovers: You need to try this CRISPY Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu because it will blow your mind. Super crispy, juicy, and flavourful deep-fried tofu is easy to make at home and the perfect party snack that your guests will love.

Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu is Gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and INSANELY delicious (this is coming from a meat lover too!). Popcorn Tofu – a flavorful, crispy, and downright addictive alternative to its meaty counterpart. 

The key to making EXTRA CRISPY Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu is letting the tofu rest in salt water for at least 20 minutes.

Not only does this help draw out the water, which makes the tofu crispy, but the salt also seasons the tofu as well.

Stinky Tofu has a distinct texture where it is crispy on the outside but still juicy and soft on the inside. Letting it rest in saltwater and then coated with rice flour helps replicate the Stinky Tofu texture you find at night markets.

You can either deep-fry or pan-fry Taiwanese popcorn tofu.

I recommend using Tapioca Starch (HIGHLY Recommend Sunlight Brand); however, the secret to making it stick is always to let the starch sit for 5 minutes before frying. This extra step will prevent the starch from falling off and ensure the tofu is EXTRA crispy.

I like using Tapioca Starch since it replicates the authentic fried tofu at night markets, but if you don’t have Tapioca Starch, you can also use Sweet Potato Flour, Cornstarch, or tempura powder. 

Last but not least, let’s talk about the DELICIOUS Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu seasoning.

I use traditional Popcorn Chicken condiments such as soy sauce, minced garlic, and five-spice powder to marinate. And to finish off, I am using the classic Taiwanese seasoning salt to have a slight spicy kick at the end.

I am using a mixture of chili powder, paprika, five-spice powder, white pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Depending on how spicy, salty, and garlic you want, you can adjust these seasonings to your liking.

Do you want more VEGETARIAN recipes? Here are some of my go-to Vegetarian Recipes that you will LOVE! 

• Authentic & Healthy 20 Minutes Vegetarian Shanghai Noodles
• Easy Tomato and Egg Rice: 15 Minute Meal 
• Korean Spicy Soft Tofu Stew – Sundubu Jjigae
• Spicy Garlic Potatoes (SO Addicting!

Ingredients 

• 1 pack of Medium Firm Tofu (cut into bite-sized pieces) 
• 2 tbsp of Salt 
• 0.5 tsp of White Pepper, optional 
• 1.5 tablespoon garlic, minced 
• ⅔ tbsp of Five Spice Powder 
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 egg (optional) 
• 3 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1.5 cups of Tapioca Starch 
• 2 cups Thai Basil 

Seasoning Powder 

• 1/2 tsp of Chili powder
• 1 tsp of Paprika
• 1 tbsp of Five-spice powder
• 0.5 tbsp of White pepper
• 3/4 tsp of Garlic Powder
• 1-2 tsp of Mushroom Powder (optional) 
• A pinch of salt
  

1. Soak the tofu in 2 tbsp of salt and 2 cups of water. Make sure all the tofu is soaked in the water for at least 20 minutes and drain. 
2. Marinate the tofu with soy sauce, five spice powder, garlic, egg, and cornstarch. You can skip the egg if you want to keep it vegan-friendly! 
3. Coat the tofu in tapioca starch and let the tofu rest in the tapioca starch for 5 minutes while you heat the oil. 
4. In a pan, add oil and turn the heat up to medium-high. Once the oil is hot, add tofu and let it fry for 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown. 
5. Remove and set aside; turn the heat up to high, add in Thai Basil, add back in the tofu, and double fry for another 1 minute to make it EXTRA crispy!
6. Season with seasoning mi, and enjoy! 

Vegetarian Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu

By Tiffy Cooks

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Super crispy, juicy, and flavourful deep-fried tofu is easy to make at home and the perfect party snack that your guests will love. Taiwanese Popcorn Tofu is Gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and INSANELY delicious (this is coming from a meat lover too!). Popcorn Tofu – a flavorful, crispy, and downright addictive alternative to its meaty counterpart.

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Prep Time:10 minutes mins

Cook Time:15 minutes mins

Resting Time:20 minutes mins

Total Time:45 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Asian, Taiwanese

Diet: Vegetarian

Keyword: appetizer idea, asian dinner, Asian Recipes, dinner Ideas, Easy Recipes, popcorn tofu, QUICK RECIPES, Taiwanese Food, Taiwanese Recipes, Tofu, tofu recipe, VEGETARIAN, vegetarian dinner, Vegetarian Recipes

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 1205kcal

Ingredients

• 1 pack Medium Firm Tofu cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp White Pepper optional
• 1.5 tbsp garlic minced
• ⅔ tbsp Five-Spice Powder
• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 egg optional
• 3 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1.5 cups Tapioca Starch
• 2 cups Thai Basil

Seasoning Powder

• 1/2 tsp Chili powder
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1 tbsp Five-Spice Powder
• 0.5 tbsp White Pepper
• 3/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1-2 tsp Mushroom Powder optional
• 1 pinch salt

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Soak the tofu in 2 tbsp of salt and 2 cups of water. Make sure all the tofu is soaked in the water for at least 20 minutes and drain.
• Marinate the tofu with soy sauce, five spice powder, garlic, egg, and cornstarch. You can skip the egg if you want to keep it vegan-friendly!
• Coat the tofu in tapioca starch and let the tofu rest in the tapioca starch for 5 minutes while you heat the oil.
• In a pan, add oil and turn the heat up to medium-high. Once the oil is hot, add tofu and let it fry for 8-10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
• Remove and set aside; turn the heat up to high, add in Thai Basil, add back in the tofu, and double fry for another 1 minute to make it EXTRA crispy!
• Season with seasoning mi, and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 1205kcalCarbohydrates: 207gProtein: 50gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 164mgSodium: 16108mgPotassium: 630mgFiber: 9gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4089IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 740mgIron: 16mg