Crispy General Tso's Tofu
Crispy General Tso's Tofu
Ingredients
For the Tofu
- 1 block extra firm tofu, 14 ounce, pressed and cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 cups frying oil, as needed for frying
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken stock, or vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Begin by pressing the 14 ounce block of extra firm tofu to remove excess water. This can be done by wrapping it in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and placing a heavy object on top for at least 20 minutes. Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.
⏱️ 20 min
- 2
In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup cornstarch, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. Add the cubed tofu to this mixture and toss gently until each piece is evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Heat approximately 2 cups of frying oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the coated tofu pieces to the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the tofu in batches if necessary, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides (about 5-7 minutes per batch).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350
- 4
Remove the fried tofu from the oil using a slotted spoon and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: 1/2 cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 teaspoon grated garlic, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Whisk until smooth and the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Pour the whisked sauce mixture into a clean pan or wok and bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring continuously. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency (about 3-5 minutes).
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Add the crispy fried tofu to the thickened sauce. Toss the tofu gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Transfer the General Tso's Tofu to a serving dish. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving. This dish is perfect served hot over rice.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy General Tso's Tofu
For the Tofu
- 1 block extra firm tofu, 14 ounce, pressed and cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 cups frying oil, as needed for frying
For the Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken stock, or vegetable stock
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon grated garlic
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Garnish
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Begin by pressing the 14 ounce block of extra firm tofu to remove excess water. This can be done by wrapping it in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and placing a heavy object on top for at least 20 minutes. Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes.
⏱️ 20 min - 2
In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup cornstarch, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon white pepper. Add the cubed tofu to this mixture and toss gently until each piece is evenly coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Heat approximately 2 cups of frying oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the coated tofu pieces to the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the tofu in batches if necessary, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides (about 5-7 minutes per batch).
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350 - 4
Remove the fried tofu from the oil using a slotted spoon and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: 1/2 cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 teaspoon grated garlic, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Whisk until smooth and the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Pour the whisked sauce mixture into a clean pan or wok and bring it to a simmer over medium heat, stirring continuously. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency (about 3-5 minutes).
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Add the crispy fried tofu to the thickened sauce. Toss the tofu gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the sweet, spicy, and tangy sauce.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Transfer the General Tso's Tofu to a serving dish. Garnish with sesame seeds before serving. This dish is perfect served hot over rice.
⏱️ 2 min