Garlic Pepper Tofu (Peeled Tofu Technique!)

Garlic Pepper Tofu (Peeled Tofu Technique!)

Garlic Pepper Tofu - thin strips of tofu cooked down in a savoury sauce packed with all the garlicky and peppery goodness. I used a peeler to get thin strips of extra firm tofu that I air-fry to draw out any excess moisture and cook down in the sauce to soak up all the flavours. Adding other vegetables to the stir-fry is a great way to use up any extra produce and add in those veggies. Serve this over rice to make a delicious bowl for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

  • extra firm tofu ( or super firm tofu (see notes
    10 oz
  • neutral oil
  • soy sauce
    1 tbsp
  • veg oyster sauce
    1 tbsp
  • dark soy sauce
    2 tsp
  • garlic (minced
    2 cloves
  • black pepper
    ½ tsp
  • maple syrup ( or other sweetener
    1 ½ tbsp
  • mirin (or sake (see notes
    1 tbsp
  • water
    2 tbsp
  • neutral oil
  • minced garlic (half for crispy garlic
    6 cloves
  • green onion (chopped (green and white parts separated
    1
  • sliced bell peppers (or other veggies of choice
  • roasted sesame oil (to finish
  • steamed rice
  • crispy garlic
  • chopped green onions (green parts
  • sesame seeds

Directions

  1. 1

    Drain the tofu from water and pat-dry or press. See notes for tips on choosing extra firm tofu.

  2. 2

    Thinly slice the tofu using a peeler. Smaller broken pieces are perfectly fine!

Air frying tofu

  1. 1

    Place the strips of tofu on your air-fryer basket. I lined mine with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Spray or brush some oil on the tofu. Air fry for 6 mins at 350F or until lightly brown and crisp on the edges.

  3. 3

    Don’t air fry for too long since this will yield very crispy tofu that can harden when it cools. I like keeping my tofu lightly grown with white parts so they still have that nice chew and absorb sauces better when stir-frying.

  4. 4

    You may also need to cook the tofu in batches depending on the size of your air-fryer.

Don't have an airfryer?

  1. 1

    If you don't have an air-fryer, you can opt to quickly pan-fry the tofu on a non-stick pan with some oil until lightly crisp on both sides.

Prepare the sauce

  1. 1

    Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by mixing everything together. Feel free to adjust to your desired taste. Set aside

Cooking the garlic pepper tofu

  1. 1

    Heat a pan or wok with some oil. Once hot, add half of the minced garlic. Allow too cook until golden brown and crispy. Drain from the oil. Set aside.

  2. 2

    In the same pan or wok, cook the remaining garlic and white parts of the green onion. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes over medium high heat.

  3. 3

    Add in the bell peppers or any vegetables of your choice. Cook until tender.

  4. 4

    Add in the thin tofu strips. Pour over the sauce. Mix well and leave the sauce to come to a boil over medium heat.

  5. 5

    The sauce will start to thicken from the sugars. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat or until the sauce is reduced.

  6. 6

    Taste the tofu and feel free to season with more soy sauce or sweetener, if needed.

  7. 7

    Turn off the heat. Add some sesame oil to finish. Mix well.

  8. 8

    Serve over rice. Garnish the tofu with the crispy garlic, green onions, and sesame seeds. Enjoy while hot!

Garlic Pepper Tofu (Peeled Tofu Technique!)

Garlic Pepper Tofu (Peeled Tofu Technique!)

302 cal

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About this Recipe

Craving a deeply savory, satisfying tofu dish that feels anything but ordinary? This Garlic Pepper Tofu recipe, featuring our unique peeled tofu technique, transforms humble extra firm tofu into an explosion of garlicky and peppery goodness perfect for any meal. Forget bland tofu – get ready for a main course that’s bursting with flavor!

Why This Garlic Pepper Tofu Recipe Works

The genius of this recipe lies in how we prepare the tofu. By using a peeler to create thin, ribbon-like strips of extra firm tofu, you maximize its surface area. This innovative approach, combined with a quick air-fry to draw out excess moisture, ensures each piece becomes a perfect sponge, eagerly soaking up every drop of the rich, aromatic garlic pepper sauce. The result is tofu that's not just coated, but utterly infused with flavor, a true testament to the power of a simple technique.

What to Expect

Prepare your senses for a truly delightful experience. You’ll be greeted by tender, yet distinct, strips of tofu that are profoundly savory, with a robust kick from the black pepper and an irresistible depth from a generous amount of garlic. The vibrant sauce, a harmonious blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and maple syrup, perfectly complements the tofu, creating a wonderfully balanced flavor profile. This naturally plant-forward dish leans into the incredible versatility of tofu, making it an excellent choice for a hearty, flavourful lunch or a comforting dinner served over steamed rice.

Customization & Variations

This versatile tofu dish is easily adaptable to your pantry and preferences. Feel free to incorporate other vegetables of choice, such as sliced bell peppers, to add extra color and nutrients to your stir-fry. For the sauce, you can swap maple syrup for another sweetener that you prefer, adjusting to taste for your ideal balance. If mirin isn't on hand, sake makes an excellent substitute to achieve a similar depth of flavor. You can also experiment with super firm tofu if that's what you have.

Serve this delectable Garlic Pepper Tofu over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, creating a complete and utterly satisfying bowl for any lunch or dinner occasion. Finish it with a drizzle of roasted sesame oil, a sprinkle of crunchy crispy garlic, freshly chopped green onions, and a scattering of sesame seeds for an elevated presentation and added texture.

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