Tahu Goreng Recipe is a generic name for a fried tofu dish with variations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei. This Indonesian street food is loved for its simplicity and nutritional benefits. Air-fried tofu is stuffed with radish, bean sprouts, cucumber, and scallion and served with sweet peanut sauce or spicy sambal. Enjoy this plant-based appetizer or salad that is crispy on the outside yet soft and tender on the inside with a homemade peanut dressing!
What is Tahu Goreng?
I first tried Tahu Goreng during our travels to Indonesia at local food markets. This crispy fried tofu was served with sweet soy sauce and garnished with herbs. Iterations of this appetizer with stuffed vegetables were served with spicy sambal or peanut sauce. I have featured this variation in my Tahu Goreng recipe. In Malaysia, golden fried tofu was stuffed with bean sprouts and crisp vegetables and served with peanut sauce.
I have air-fried the tofu and stuffed it with radish, bean sprouts, cucumber, and scallion and served it with homemade peanut sauce. This variation is quite common in Southeast countries.
Tahu Goreng Recipe will surely become your favorite because it is versatile, quick and easy to make with a crunchy exterior and a soft, smooth texture on the inside. Whether you choose to vary the stuffing, the dipping sauce, or deep or pan-fry the tofu, you will love this tantalizing dish which lends itself well when served with rice, salad, main course, or on its own.
Benefits of ingredients:
Beansprouts must be fresh such that when you snip them, they crunch. They are high in plant-based protein, and nutrients, and low in calories. Regular consumption of beansprouts helps support digestive, heart, and skin health.
Tofu or soybean curd is an excellent source of plant-based protein. It contains unsaturated fats including omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to being rich in iron and calcium, tofu is packed with phytoestrogens that can help balance hormone levels.
Rainbow radish is a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in nutrients. It helps detoxify the liver, promotes hydration, and supports skin and heart health.
Peanuts in the peanut sauce contain unsaturated fats that help reduce bad cholesterol levels. They are packed with protein, antioxidants, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients that help regulate blood sugar and support brain health.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How can I pan-fry or deep-fry the tofu?
Heat peanut or canola oil in a pan. Fry the tofu pieces on medium-high heat in batches for 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Use more oil in a deep to deep fry the tofu on medium heat.
2. How can I make the tofu crispier?
My daughter makes air-fried tofu by putting a heavy plate on top of the tofu and draining any excess water for 30 minutes. She then bakes the tofu cubes for 40 minutes in a hot oven without any oil or cornstarch, flipping them over twice.
3. What are some other add-ons for this Tahu Goreng recipe?
You can also use jicama, daikon, and carrots.
4. How do I make the Tahu Goreng recipe spicy?
Add slit chili, chili oil or sambal to make this dish spicy.
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Ingredients:
- Firm tofu, rainbow radish (or any radish), bean sprouts, cucumber, and scallion
Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make this dish. Please refer to the recipe card below for the measurements.
How to make Tahu Goreng using my recipe:
- Wrap a kitchen paper around the tofu after draining it from the pack. Dab out as much water as possible by placing a small pan or a heavy plate on top of the tofu for 10 minutes. Make a small slit on one side of the tofu pieces and spray with peanut oil. Air fry the tofu pieces at 425 degrees F in a foil-lined tray for 10 minutes on each side for 30 minutes altogether or until golden brown on all sides.
2. Cool the tofu pieces for 5 minutes and stuff them with cucumber, radish, and beansprouts. Garnish with scallions and serve them with peanut sauce.
1. I soaked the shredded veggies in cold water mixed with white vinegar for 10 minutes. You can skip this step.
2. Alternatively pan-fry the tofu in a non-stick skillet with a few drops of oil.
3. To increase the spiciness of the Tahu Goreng Recipe, add more chilis.
4. Rub a teaspoon of cornflour on all sides of the tofu pieces for a crispier texture.
Serving suggestion:
Serve the Tahu Goreng with Indonesian Gado Gado peanut sauce. Serve this dish as an appetizer or salad, or with rice, or any meat main course.
Storage:
Air-fried tofu can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 2 days. Any leftovers do not taste good when frozen as they become spongy. Fresh tofu can be frozen, air-fried and then stuffed with vegetables. Tahu Goreng recipe is ideal for eating fresh as soon as it is made. Deep-fried tofu can be frozen for 2-3 months. Freeze peanut sauce in freezer-safe boxes for 3 months.
Other Indonesian and Malaysian appetizer recipes that you might like to try:
Tahu Goreng Recipe
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 lb organic firm tofu diagonal-cut (4 pieces)
- 1 cucumber peeled, julienne-cut
- 3 scallion julienne-cut
- 1 rainbow radish peeled, julienne-cut
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredients.
- Wrap a kitchen paper around the tofu after draining it from the pack. Dab out as much water as possible and make a small slit. Air fry the tofu pieces at 425 degrees F in a foil-lined tray for 10 minutes on each side for 30 minutes altogether or until golden brown on all sides.
- Cool the tofu pieces for 5 minutes and stuff them with cucumber, radish, and beansprouts. Garnish with scallions and serve them with peanut sauce.
Notes
- Feel free to add julienne-cut carrots or jicama.
- Rub a teaspoon of cornflour on all sides of the tofu pieces to make them crispier.
Nutrition
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