Description
Crispy keto tempura batter brings Japanese culinary magic to low-carb kitchens without compromising flavor. Light, golden-brown coating ensures delightful crunch when cooking seafood or vegetables you crave.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (120 ml) sparkling water (chilled)
- ½ cup (60 g) almond flour (or ¼ cup almond flour + ¼ cup coconut flour for extra crispiness)
- ¼ cup (30 g) unflavored whey protein isolate
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) avocado oil (or olive oil)
- ½ cup (120 ml) avocado oil or coconut oil (for frying)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Assemble all ingredients and equipment, ensuring a clean, organized workspace for efficient tempura creation.
- Batter Composition: Whisk together almond flour, whey protein isolate, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation. Craft a central well and incorporate egg, sparkling water, and oil, blending vigorously until the mixture achieves a smooth, aerated consistency.
- Resting Phase: Allow the batter to settle for several minutes, enabling ingredient integration and developing a delicate texture. Simultaneously, heat oil in a deep-sided pan to optimal frying temperature (around 350-375°F).
- Coating Process: Delicately dip selected vegetables or proteins into the batter, ensuring a gossamer-thin, even layer that promises a crisp, ethereal exterior when submerged in hot oil.
- Frying Technique: Gently introduce battered ingredients into the sizzling oil, maintaining consistent heat to produce a golden, light-as-air finish. Avoid overcrowding the pan to preserve optimal crispness and prevent oil temperature fluctuation.
- Draining and Presentation: Extract tempura items using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, allowing excess oil to cascade back into the frying vessel. Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined surface to preserve the delicate, crisp texture.
- Serving Recommendation: Present immediately while the tempura remains piping hot and structurally crisp, potentially accompanied by a complementary dipping sauce to elevate the sensory experience.
Notes
- Adjust Sparkling Water Temperature: Use cold sparkling water straight from the refrigerator to create a lighter, crispier batter that ensures maximum crunchiness and prevents heavy, soggy coating.
- Minimize Batter Mixing: Whisk ingredients briefly and gently to prevent gluten development, which helps maintain the delicate, airy texture characteristic of authentic tempura.
- Control Oil Heat Precisely: Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F for optimal frying, using a kitchen thermometer to prevent burning or undercooking and achieve perfect golden-brown results.
- Drain Excess Oil Strategically: Place fried tempura on a wire rack instead of paper towels to preserve crispiness by allowing air circulation and preventing moisture buildup from trapped oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg