Tofu Air Fried with Jalapeno Pepper

Deep fried tofu is one of my favorite ways to eat it.  I can hear my ochiichan saying 'tofu makes you strongu'.  Having an air fryer seems to make this healthier.  My neighbor gave me a bag of Japanese seasoned salt with scallops, mushroom, kelp that added an extra layer of flavor to the otherwise boring tofu.

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Ingredients

  • 1 block of firm tofu about 1 pound
  • 4 T cornstarch
  • 1 t sea salt - the Japanese seasoned salt is nice
  • 1 t white pepper
  • 1 T tallow or olive oil
    • 1 T minced garlic
  • green onion chopped
  • 1 jalapeno chopped 

Seasoning

  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/2 t white pepper
  • 1/4 t Chinese 5 spice
  • 1/4 t Sichuan peppercorn powder, I grind my own and keep it on hand

Directions

  1. Drain the tofu and dry with a paper towel, set it on a small baking sheet. It's essential to remove the moisture from the tofu.
  • Use a clean kitchen towel folded with a paper towel on it and place tofu on it.
  • Place another paper towel on the tofu and another clean kitchen towel folded on top
  • Place a heavy weight to press the moisture out of the tofu for about 30 minutes.  A cast iron pot lid works well.
  1. While the tofu is drying combine the chopped green onion and jalapeno and set aside.  Adjust the spiciness to taste.  
  2. Combine the cornstarch salt and pepper in a large bowl, set aside
  3. Cut the dried tofu in cubes and dry again to ensure crispiness
  4. Place the cubed tofu on a cookie sheet and brush with olive oil
  5. Place in air fryer at 375 F for 10 minutes, flip them over and brush with more olive oil if needed
  6. Cook another 10 minutes
  7. While tofu is cooking in air fryer, add tallow to a fry pan over medium heat.
  8. Add the chopped jalapenos, green onions and minced garlic, until fragrant about 2 minutes.
  9. Add the tofu to the pan and add the seasoning mix to add a nice finishing flavor.

Enjoy.