Tofu pepper stir-fry is a flavorful and nutritious dish with a glossy umami stir-fry sauce. This dish can easily become your go-to weeknight dinner. It's simple, quick and can pair very well with either rice or noodles.
It took us a while to enjoy Tofu, and now it's become a regular in our house and my son loves it. The simple air fried tofu was my first attempt to enjoy tofu, and since then I have tried using it in various different sauce.
Tofu Pepper stir-fry is not only packed with flavor but also rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
More Tofu dishes to try
Ingredients you need for tofu pepper stir fry
Firm Tofu - I always prefer to buy firm tofu and then press out the excess moisture by either wrapping in a kitchen towel or using a tofu press.
Bell Pepper - I used only green bell pepper, buy you can choose different color and make the dish look more colorful. You can also use sweet peppers instead of bell peppers.
Onion - For me, onion is a must in this dish as it not only adds a crunchy bite but also a mild sweetness that goes so well with bell pepper.
Garlic and Ginger - Garlic and ginger are essential for adding depth and fragrance to the stir-fry.
Green Onion - I sometime feel green onion is a must in Asian food. It only adds that bright color as a garnish but also the sweet taste.
Here is what you need for the glossy sauce
Soy sauce, oyster sauce, mirin, white vinegar and a little bit of Maggi ketchup for the sweetness and flavor.
If you can't find Maggi ketchup, you can use any regular tomato ketchup too.
Steps to prepare Tofu Stir fry
1 - Press the firm tofu with kitchen towel or by using a tofu press to release all the excess moisture. Then slice into small bite size cubes.
2- To the tofu cubes, add soya sauce, oil and corn flour. Mix it around to coat the tofu pieces.
3- Layer it in a baking tray and air fry for 10 to 15 minutes.
4- In the meantime, place a heavy bottom skillet at medium heat and add little oil. Then scatter the finely chopped ginger garlic and some of the green onion. Stir it around and cook for 1 minute.
5- Add the sliced onion and pepper. Toss it around and let it cook for 2 minutes.
6- In the meantime, prepare the sauce by whisking everything mentioned in the recipe card.
7- Pour the sauce and cook it for couple minutes for the sauce to thicken.
8- The Tofu should be ready by now, so add it straight to the pan. Give a quick toss to combine everything and serve it right away.
I personally like this dish paired with rice, but you can enjoy it even with noodles.
Tofu and pepper stir-fry is a beloved dish in many households, known for its vibrant colors, rich flavors, and nutritional benefits.
Cooking Tips
Pressing Tofu: Removing excess moisture from tofu is essential for achieving a crispy texture. Use a tofu press or place the tofu between paper towels with a heavy object on top for 15–20 minutes.
Consistent Cutting: Cut the tofu and vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.
Air frying Tofu: I prefer to air fry the tofu to crispy instead of stir-frying, as it not only is a healthier option, but it also saves cooking time. While the Tofu air fries, you can chop and start preparing the dish. At the end, just toss the air fried tofu and serve right away.
FAQs
Use firm or extra-firm tofu for stir-fry. These types of tofu hold their shape better during cooking and absorb the flavors of the sauce more effectively.
Yes, you can use tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative. Both provide a similar umami flavor.
Yes, you can but, it is best to cook the stir-fry fresh to retain the crispness of the vegetables and tofu. If you need to reheat, do so in a hot skillet rather than a microwave to maintain texture.
While fresh vegetables are preferred for the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen vegetables in a pinch. Make sure to thaw and drain them well to avoid excess water in the stir fry.
Tofu Pepper Stir Fried
Ingredients
- 1 medium Red onion
- 1 medium Green pepper
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 1 Inch Fresh ginger
- 4 Green onion
- 2 tablespoon oil
Air frying Tofu
- 1 block Firm Tofu
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 3 tablespoon Corn flour
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon White vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Mirin
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Ketchup
Instructions
Prepping the Tofu and Air Frying
- Take the tofu out of the packet and throw all the water. Then either wrap it with a thick clean cloth or use a tofu press. Keep it aside for 15 to 20 minutes for the tofu to release all the excess water.
- Once done, slice the tofu into bite size small cubes and place it in a mixing bowl.
- Add all the ingredients mentioned under the recipe card for Air fry tofu. Toss and then layer in a baking tray.
- Air fry at 400 F for 10 minutes. Toss and continue to air fry for 5 minutes.
Preparing the sauce
- In a small glass or cup, add all the ingredients mentioned under the recipe card for the sauce. Give a mix and keep aside to be used later.
Preparing the final dish
- Finely chop the garlic and ginger, along with the white and light green portion of the green onion.
- Dice the red onion and pepper into bite size cubes. Try to keep it of the similar size as the tofu cubes.
- While the tofu is being air fried, place a heavy bottom skillet at medium heat and pour the oil.
- Add the finely chopped garlic, ginger and green onion. Toss it around for 2 minutes.
- Scatter the onion and green pepper, toss it around to mix everything and let it cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour the prepared sauce and toss it around. Let the sauce thicken, it will take couple minutes.
- In the meantime, the tofu should be done. Add the crispy tofu and toss it around. Add a bit more green onions on top and serve Tofu Pepper stir-fried warm.
