Gochujang Fried Tofu

Equipment

Small saucepan, air fryer or oven

Ingredients

Tofu

  • 1 block of extra firm tofu, cubed
  • Cornstarch (enough to coat tofu)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Oil cooking spray

Sauce

  • 3 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tsp gochujang
  • 1/2 tsp of rice vinegar
  • 2 tsp of sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 3 cloves of garlic, finely minced

Method

Tofu

  1. If using an oven, preheat it to 425 deg F.
  2. Pour just enough cornstarch in a medium bowl to coat your tofu. I usually eyeball it.
  3. Add a generous amount of salt and paper in the cornstarch to taste, then whisk to combine.
  4. Add cubed tofu into the bowl in batches, rotate the tofu enough just to coat. If you add too much cornstarch, you’re at risk of a powdery & chalky end product.
  5. If using an oven, add to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. If using an air fryer, spray the bottom of your grate with spray oil OR add parchment paper to the bottom.
  6. Add cubed coated tofu to the baking sheet/air fryer basket. Spray with the cooking oil spray, and toss to combine. You want each piece to be pretty saturated, but not dripping with oil.
  7. If using an oven, bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing tofu half way through, until browned and crispy.
  8. If using an air fryer, air fry at 400 deg F for 13-16 minutes, tossing the tofu in the basket half way through.
  9. Done!!

Sauce

Makes enough sauce for half a block of tofu. You can double the recipe if needed.

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in the small saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
  3. Once boiling, lower heat to simmer, stir until thickened to a consistency of your liking.
  4. Add half of tofu to the pot and stir to coat.
    • If you didn’t double the sauce recipe, save the plain salt + pepper tofu for later! (goes great on top of salads)
  5. Serve over rice, noodles, or a carb of your choice.

Toppings

  • Chopped green onion
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Furikake