Quick and Crispy Scrambled Tofu Bites

Ingredients for 3 to 4 servings

• 400g of firm tofu (a block; you can either buy the classic version or the smoked one, if you want it to be a bit more flavorful)
• 120g all-purpose flour
• 100g cornstarch
• Flavorings you prefer (I usually use a mix of curry, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper)
• 100ml cold sparkling water (beer works amazing too!)
• 150g breadcrumbs (or panko)

Preparation and Cooking

Time: 10 mins to prepare, 15 mins to cook.

This recipe is super quick; it takes more to take all the ingredients than to actually do it. Let’s start by taking the tofu and dabbing it to remove the excess water. With your hands, scramble it: chunks don’t have to be even, and there’s no perfect size; obviously, the smaller they are, the crispier they will be.

Put the chunks in a bowl and toss the cornstarch, mix it evenly, and shake off the excess.

Let’s prepare the batter: mix together the flour and the flavoring you have chosen, then add the liquid (water or beer) slowly and keep stirring to avoid lumps.

You now have all the steps ready: the order is chunks with only cornstarch in the batter, and then in breadcrumbs or panko.

To cook them, spray them with oil, and you can either airfry them at 160°C (320°F) for 10 mins or bake them in fan-assisted mode at 180°C (350°F) for 18 mins. I don’t suggest deep-frying them, as they tend to absorb the oil.

Turn them over every 3-4 minutes so they cook evenly and for the right amount of time; always check because it depends a lot on how big your chunks are.

Tricks and Tips

• These bites must be eaten really hot. You can pair it with just a sauce, a dipping sauce, or a tahini sauce (tahini and lemon juice with black pepper, well stirred), or hummus (you can either buy it or make it on your own; the recipe will be there).
• If you want it to be your lunch and not just a snack, it is perfect to pair with baked veggies too; you can cook them all together.
• Add the salt only in the batter and not in the breadcrumbs (or panko), as it might cause it to separate from the chunks. Add more salt to taste when it is ready!
• If you remember the day before, instead of using plain tofu, you can marinate it with soy sauce and sesame oil for the whole night. It will give the bites an incredible asian flavor.

Roberta Di Rosa

Scrambled Tofu Bites

Quick vegan crispy tofu bites coated in flour, cornstarch, sparkling water, and breadcrumbs, then air-fried or baked.

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Servings: 3 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 400 g firm tofu classic or smoked
• 120 g all-purpose flour
• 100 g cornstarch
• favourings mix of curry, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper
• 100 ml cold sparkling water beer works amazing good too!
• 150 g breadcrumbs or panko

Method

 

1. Take the tofu and dab it to dry the water excess; with your hands, scramble it: chunks don’t have to be even and there’s not a perfect size, obviously the smaller they are the crispier they will be.
2. Put the chunks in a bowl and toss the cornstarch, mix it evenly and shake off the excess.
3. Prepare the batter: mix together the flour and the flavoring you’ve chosen, then add slowly the liquid (water or beer) and keep stirring to avoid lumps.
4. Dip the chunks with only cornstarch into the batter and then into the breadcrumbs or panko.
5. Spray them with oil and either airfry them 160°C (320°F) for 10 minutes or bake them fan-assisted mode 180°C (350°F) for 18 minutes.
6. Turn them over each 3-4 minutes so they cook evenly.

Notes

Add the salt only in the batter and not in the breadcrumbs (or panko) as it might cause it to divide from the chunks; add more salt as taste when it is ready!

Total time: 25 mins.