Achieve restaurant-quality tempura at home with this Lacy Tempura Batter recipe, perfect for creating irresistibly light and crispy coatings for your favorite vegetables, seafood, or tofu. Featuring a delicate blend of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and a touch of baking powder, this batter stays airy and crisp thanks to the secret ingredient: ice-cold water. Simple to prepare in just 10 minutes, this recipe utilizes a lumpy, quick-mix technique to preserve its signature texture. Fry your tempura to perfection at 350°F (175°C) for golden-brown results every time. Serve your crispy creations with a traditional dipping sauce for an authentic Japanese culinary experience that’s as easy as it is delicious.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the egg yolk with a fork.
Fill a small bowl or measuring cup with 1 cup of ice water. Make sure the water is extremely cold to keep the batter light and crispy.
Slowly pour the ice water into the dry ingredients, followed by the beaten egg yolk. Gently stir with chopsticks or a fork. Do not overmix—the batter should remain lumpy to ensure a light texture.
Place the mixing bowl with the batter over a larger bowl filled with ice to keep it cold while frying.
In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature—it’s crucial for achieving crisp results.
Dip small pieces of prepared vegetables, seafood, or tofu into the batter, ensuring they’re lightly coated. Avoid overloading the batter to maintain its delicate texture.
Carefully drop the coated items into the hot oil. Fry in small batches, turning occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until golden and crispy.
Remove the tempura from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels.
Serve immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as soy sauce mixed with a little grated ginger or tempura dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Calories |
8633 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 951.6 g | 1220% | |
| Saturated Fat | 136.9 g | 685% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 184 mg | 62% | |
| Sodium | 825 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 100.5 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.3 g | 12% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.8 g | ||
| Protein | 15.1 g | 30% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 38 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 6.1 mg | 34% | |
| Potassium | 147 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.