Air Fryer Tofu
The air fryer has revolutionized the way we recreate crispy and crunchy dishes in our own kitchens. This tofu recipe serves as an excellent illustration of its benefits! Achieving crispy tofu usually involves heating up a large amount of oil, which can lead to concerns about overcooking and messy cleanups. However, with the air fryer, achieving perfectly golden-brown tofu becomes effortless.The basic steps of this recipe involve marinating the tofu, coating it in cornstarch, air frying it until crispy, and then tossing it in your choice of sauce. You have the freedom to choose any marinade and sauce you prefer. We particularly enjoy the combination of a soy-based marinade and a spicy sauce reminiscent of "bang bang shrimp." Nevertheless, you can easily opt for barbecue sauce or a mixture of ketchup and gochujang in equal parts. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients
- 1 (14-oz.) block firm tofu, cut into 1½” cubes
- 2 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. hot or smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 c. cornstarch
- 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 1/4 c. mayonnaise
- 1/4 c. Thai sweet chili sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tbsp. sriracha
- Steamed white rice, sliced scallions, and sesame seeds, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss tofu, soy sauce, oil, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Cover bowl and refrigerate at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- In a medium bowl, whisk cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss tofu in cornstarch mixture until coated, shaking off any excess.
- Working in batches if necessary, in an air-fryer basket, arrange tofu in a single layer; spray with cooking spray. Cook at 400°, tossing halfway through, until golden and crispy, about 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk mayonnaise, chili sauce, garlic, and sriracha; season with salt. Toss tofu in sauce to coat.
- Serve tofu over rice. Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Calories: 402kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 18gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 770mgPotassium: 367mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gCalcium: 691mgIron: 4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!