Golden brown tofu bites coated in a crunchy blend of panko and sweet coconut flakes, finished with a dusting of salt and powdered sugar. Served over a bed of fragrant mint and cilantro, paired with a sweet chili dipping sauce

Featured Standouts 

Tofu

Tofu is a  firm and neutral protein base that soaks up savory seasonings while maintaining a nice and tender structure even after frying.

Shredded Coconut

Coconut adds a subtle sweetness and creates a toasted, nutty flavor profile that amplifies the flavor in the crust when browned.

Panko Breadcrumbs

Breadcrumbs are essential  for achieving an extra light and airy crunch. Panko breadcrumbs are a neutral flavor so they take on other flavors really well.

TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST COCONUT PANKO CRUSTED TOFU BITES

Press your tofu

Before coating, use a paper towel and plate to remove excess moisture for at least thirty minutes, which ensures the tofu remains firm and crisp during cooking.

Batch cooking

When shallow frying or air frying, work in small batches to maintain a high temperature and avoid overcrowding the pan or basket, which would otherwise lead to steaming instead of crisping.

Golden color check

Watch the coconut carefully, as it can go from perfectly golden to dark brown very quickly, so aim for a light golden hue to avoid a bitter taste.

Inclusive adaptions

Gluten Free

Swap standard panko for a certified gluten free panko breadcrumb blend and ensure your cornstarch is certified as well.

Oil Free

Use an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to crisp the bites instead of shallow frying in oil for a lighter result.

Soy Free

Replace the firm tofu with cauliflower florets for a similar texture and crunch while keeping the same coating.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE

Large skillet or air fryer

Paper towel

 Heavy plate

Mixing bowls

Whisk

Baking sheet 

SIMILAR INGREDIENTS TO

Spicy Honey Serrano Tofu Banh Mi

Fried Miso Peanut Tofu

Tofu Chorizo & Egg Breakfast Tacos

ENJOY THIS RECIPE WITH

Grilled Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Garlic Chicken Lo Mein

Spicy Cajun Meatloaf

Recipe 

Marissa Bolden

Crispy Coconut Panko Crusted Tofu Bites

Golden brown tofu bites coated in a crunchy blend of panko and sweet coconut flakes, finished with a dusting of salt and powdered sugar. Served over a bed of fragrant mint and cilantro, paired with a sweet chili dipping sauce

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 15 oz extra firm tofu drained
• Seasoning
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp Cayenne
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp white sugar
• Egg wash
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c cold water
• 2 tb flour
• Breading
• 1/2 c wp flour
• 1 c Panko bread crumb
• 1/2 c coconut flakes
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Sea salt for dusting
• Cilantro for serving
• Mint for serving

Equipment

• Large skillet or air fryer
• Paper towel
• Heavy plate
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Baking sheet

Method

 

1. Prep the Tofu: Wrap the tofu in paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
2. Cut: Slice the tofu into rectangular logs, then cut those into triangles. Blot each piece dry with a paper towel.
3. Season: Combine the seasoning ingredients (salt, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, sugar) and sprinkle evenly over both sides of the tofu triangles.
4. Prepare Dredge: Whisk together the egg, water, and flour in one bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, coconut, panko, and salt.
5. Coat: Dip each tofu piece into the egg mixture, then immediately coat it in the breading mixture. Let the pieces rest briefly in the coating.
6. Fry: Heat oil to 375°F. Working in batches, fry the tofu until it floats and turns golden brown.
7. Serve: Remove from the oil and drain. Sprinkle with a little extra salt and powdered sugar, garnish with fresh cilantro and mint, and serve with sweet chili sauce.

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