Tempura is a traditional Japanese dish that consists of lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables, seafood, or meat. The secret to perfect tempura lies in the batter - it should be light, crispy, and flavorful. With this easy tempura batter recipe, you can recreate the deliciousness of tempura right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup ice-cold water
- 1 egg
- Vegetable oil for frying
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the ice-cold water and egg.
- Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix - a few lumps are okay.
- Place the batter in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill.
- Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or deep fryer to a temperature of 350°F (175°C).
- Dip your desired vegetables, seafood, or meat into the tempura batter, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Carefully place the battered pieces into the hot oil, frying only a few at a time to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Fry the tempura for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through cooking.
- Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the cooked tempura from the oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Repeat the battering and frying process with the remaining ingredients.
- Serve the tempura immediately while it's still hot and crispy.
- You can enjoy the tempura on its own or serve it with soy sauce, tempura dipping sauce, or grated daikon radish.
