Description
A viral TikTok-inspired salad featuring cucumbers that are salted, coated in cornstarch, and fried until shatteringly crisp, then tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy garlic dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large English cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers)
- 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt
- 1 cup Cornstarch
- Neutral oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut) for frying
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Rice Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Light Soy Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons Chili Garlic Sauce or Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Slice cucumbers into 1/4-inch half-moon rounds. Place in a large bowl, sprinkle with kosher salt, and toss to coat. Let sit for 15-20 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Drain cucumbers in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to remove excess salt. Pat them extremely dry with paper towels; they must be bone-dry.
- Place dry cucumbers in a clean bowl and gradually add cornstarch, tossing until each piece is lightly and evenly coated. Shake off any excess.
- Heat about 1 inch of neutral oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Test with a pinch of cornstarch; it should sizzle vigorously.
- Fry coated cucumber slices in batches in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- While frying, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and chili garlic sauce in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Stir in sesame oil.
- Place fried cucumbers in a large serving bowl. Pour the dressing over the hot cucumbers and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while warm and crispy.
Notes
Do not skip the salting and drying steps, as excess moisture will prevent the cornstarch from crisping and cause the cucumbers to become soggy. Serve immediately for the best texture, as the crunch will soften if left in the dressing. Store fried cucumbers and dressing separately; reheat cucumbers in an air fryer or oven to restore crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: crispy cucumber salad, spicy cucumber salad, viral tiktok recipe, asian side dish, gluten-free side dish, vegan side dish, quick appetizer, summer salad