Puffed Tofu | Everyday Flavor | Nik Sharma Cooks (2024)

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Puffed Tofu | Everyday Flavor | Nik Sharma Cooks (3)

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Puffed Tofu | Everyday Flavor | Nik Sharma Cooks (4)

Puffed Tofu

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Puffed tofu or bean curd puffs are a wonderful treat due to their golden brown crispy coats and pillow-soft interiors. They can be served as an appetizer and added to soups like curry laksa, noodles, and rice dishes.

  • Yield: 14 oz/400 g

Ingredients

14 oz/400 g medium or firm tofu, preferably fresh/regular

3 1/2 to 4 cups/835 to 945 ml neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as grapeseed for frying

Instructions

1. Drain the tofu. Cut the tofu into 1/2 in/13 mm cubes. Place the tofu on dry paper towels and leave for 30 minutes. This will help remove the water trapped inside the tofu.

2. Heat the oil to 350F/180C in a heavy-bottomed medium saucepan or Dutch oven.

3. Line a plate or tray with absorbent paper towels.

4. Fry the tofu in batches, 6 to 8, until they turn golden brown and crisp, 5 to 6 minutes. When sliced through, the tofu should have a spongy and puffy interior. Transfer to the plate. Use as needed. The cooked tofu can be prepared in advance and stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Fresh/regular tofu (medium or firm type) is the best option for making puffy tofu. In America, I use Meji, but if you can’t find fresh tofu, do not use soft or silken tofu to prepare this recipe. Soft tofu is too weak for this application and will fall apart during cooking, and silken tofu will not puff up. Extra firm tofu will produce a very hard texture that isn’t as nice.
  • These can be made larger; cut the tofu into 1 in/2.5 cm cubes.
  • There is no need to season them before frying. The tofu will act like a sponge and absorb the flavors from the sauce, soup, etc., it is served with.

5 Responses

  1. I like to add a few drops of sesame oil to the cooking oil and sometimes some furitake flakes – really good flavor in the puffs!

    Reply

    1. Good gosh, that sounds fabulous! Thanks for sharing it with us.

      Reply

  2. Nik, have you ever `tried a salad spinner on low to quickly dry tofu?

    Reply

    1. I haven’t! Does it work with soft and firm tofu?

      Reply

  3. When I make this tofu dish, I add honey and chipotle powder (from Penzey’s) to them, once they are puffed.
    Stir fried with (all colors of) bell peppers, garlic and red onion, = SO good!

    Reply

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Puffed Tofu | Everyday Flavor | Nik Sharma Cooks (2024)

FAQs

Is puffed tofu healthy? ›

🌱 Tofu is high in protein and low in carbs, they're a fantastic option for those on a health-conscious journey. While tofu puffs are deep-fried, indulging in moderation can perfectly complement a balanced diet.

What is a puffed tofu called? ›

This Japanese snack is made of deep-fried tofu, called aburaage, that's been puffed up and hollowed out, like a pita bread, then simmered in a sugar and soy sauce. Aburaage and inari both come pressed flat and, when cut in half, form pockets that can be stuffed with rice for inarizushi.

How do I cook store bought tofu puffs? ›

One common method is to pan-fry or deep-fry them until they turn golden and crispy on the outside. Alternatively, you can simmer them in soups or sauces to infuse them with flavors.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

What do you eat with puffed tofu? ›

Serve the tofu puffs with some steamed rice and vegetables of your choice!

Which country eats the most tofu? ›

Japan is the largest consumer of Tofu as the hub for the largest number of manufacturers and easy availability. China is the key market with a high density of manufacturers and holds the major share in the global Tofu market.

Can you eat tofu puffs raw? ›

Can I eat tofu raw? Yes, you can eat tofu straight out of the package, with the exception of our tofu puffs, which we recommend cooking before consuming.

Is tofu good for weight loss? ›

The effect of eating tofu with weight loss has been proven on many studies. Specifically, people who follow the tofu diet from 2 months to 1 year will lose an average of 4.5 kg. Therefore, this food has been and is appearing popular in many people's weight loss, diet, and vegetarian menus.

Do you need to wash tofu puffs? ›

Wash tofu puffs with hot water and squeeze out excess water and oil. Cut each tofu puff into halves and stuff with minced pork.

Do tofu puffs go bad? ›

Yes. Like pretty much all foods, tofu doesn't have an infinite shelf life, and it will eventually go bad, although how long this takes will depend on the specific method of storage you've used, how long it's been stored for, whether it's opened or unopened, and a whole lot of other factors.

Can you airfry tofu puffs? ›

Making tofu puffs crispy is super easy as they are already pre-fried. You can bake, air fry, or toast them on a pan and they will be crispy and wonderful. However, I find using an air fryer the most hassle-free, easiest way to make crispy tofu puffs.

Are fried tofu puffs healthy? ›

Despite the nutritional benefits of tofu, fried tofu is not a healthy food choice. The problem lies in the frying cooking method. Although tofu is naturally low in calories and fat, frying adds tons of fat grams to the tofu and drastically increases the dish's calorie count.

Can you reheat tofu puffs? ›

Clever storage: Store leftover tofu puffs in a covered container in the fridge for up to five days. They can be easily reheated in a quick stir-fry, preheated oven or an air-fryer. Ingredient tip: You can substitute soy sauce for kecap manis.

What are tofu puffs made of? ›

Ingredients. Australian Soya Bean Extract, Water, Canola Oil, Nigari (Mineral Salt (511)).

What is the healthiest form of tofu? ›

Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

Does tofu puff have protein? ›

Tofu Puffs, also known as Tau Pok, are rich in protein and commonly used in local cuisines such as Curry Fish Head and Laksa.

Is puffed tofu keto? ›

Tofu is relatively low in carbs, with a100-gram serving containing only 1.2 grams of carbohydrates. The same amount of tofu has 83 calories, 5.3 grams of fat, and 10 grams of protein. It can be suitable for the ketogenic diet because of the division of its fat, protein, and carbohydrate content.

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