Air Fryer Tofu
If ever an ingredient wanted a PR makeover, it’s tofu. The recipe for the job? Air Fryer Tofu. This tofu recipe is completely crispy exterior, pleasantly agency inside, and infused with a savory soy maple marinade.
Air fryer tofu will make a believer out of even its harshest critics.
I’m doggedly satisfied that anybody who says they don’t like tofu hasn’t tried to air fry tofu but. And should you depend your self among the many tofu skeptics—I get it. Tofu might be (and it is a culinary time period) ick. With out the right remedy, tofu is mushy and bland. Crispy tofu is the place it’s at.
Whereas you need to use varied methods to make tofu crispy (I take advantage of freezing and boiling on this Crispy Tofu and urgent plus pan-frying on this reader favourite Tofu Stir Fry and Baked Tofu), the best methodology that I’ve discovered is utilizing the air fryer.
A hungry sponge, tofu readily absorbs any flavors you add to it. With a couple of simple steps, your tofu will end up agency, crispy, and delectable. PLUS! Since air fryer tofu makes use of little or no oil to crisp, it’s a lot more healthy than common deep-fried tofu.
Key Elements
You’ll discover the complete record of components within the recipe card under, however listed here are some notes to bear in mind.
- Additional-Agency Tofu. It’s important to make use of extra-firm tofu right here, because it comprises much less water than different varieties and can maintain its form higher throughout cooking.
- Soy Sauce. For those who’d prefer to make this tofu gluten-free, swap tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos for the soy sauce.
- Rice Wine Vinegar. Rice wine vinegar provides a contact of candy acidity to the marinade.
- Pure Maple Syrup. Naturally sweetens the marinade and pairs properly with the soy sauce.
- Spices. Garlic powder and floor ginger are scrumptious spice additions to the marinade.
- Sriracha. A touch of scorching sauce provides simply the correct quantity of warmth. Be happy to make use of extra should you like your tofu spicy.
- Cornstarch. A remaining toss with cornstarch is the important thing to a wonderfully crispy and golden exterior.
5 Star Assessment
“Wow… I by no means touch upon recipes… that is sooooo good. I’ll in all probability have tofu a couple of occasions per week now. Thanks for the guidelines!”
— Cashmere —
The way to Prepare dinner Tofu within the Air Fryer
Prep the Tofu. Step one for nearly any tofu recipe is urgent it. This removes the liquid it soaks in, which makes it much less mushy and provides it extra room to soak up the marinade. Lower it and pat it dry.
Combine Marinade. Stir the marinade components collectively. My Tofu Marinade recipe is a scrumptious possibility too—it’s much like the one for this air fryer tofu, however it has a extra smoky taste. (It’s also possible to use one other marinade you want.)
Marinate the Tofu. Marinade the tofu for quarter-hour. That’s all it wants!
Toss. Toss to coat with the cornstarch. I examined this air fryer tofu each with and with out cornstarch. I discovered that tossing the marinated tofu in cornstarch previous to including it to the air fryer made a exceptional distinction.
Air Fry. Place the tofu in a single layer within the basket of an air fryer. (For greatest outcomes, generously coat the air fryer’s basket with cooking spray earlier than including the tofu.) Air fry the tofu at 400 levels F for 11 to 14 minutes, tossing on the 9-minute mark.
End. Repeat with remaining batches, then serve together with your favourite dipping sauce. ENJOY!
My Favourite Methods to Use Air Fryer Tofu
The crispy air fryer tofu nuggets you possibly can resist nibbling straight out of the air fryer basket can be utilized in a wide range of methods.
- Common Tso’s Air Fryer Tofu. Comply with this Common Tso’s Tofu recipe, however swap on this tofu as an alternative.
- Salad. This Ramen Salad could be delicious with tofu.
- Peanut Tofu. Swap it for the hen in these Asian Rooster Wraps with Thai Peanut Sauce, or drizzle it with the peanut sauce from this Rooster Satay.
- Tofu Buddha Bowl. Use it on this Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl with Quinoa and Avocado.
- Vegetarian Beef and Broccoli. Swap the tofu for the meat in my favourite Wholesome Beef and Broccoli recipe.
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Air Fryer Tofu
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Elements
- 1 block extra-firm tofu (12 to fifteen ounces) have to be additional agency
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons additional virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon floor ginger
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha or scorching sauce of alternative
- 1 tablespoon corn starch or arrowroot starch
Directions
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Take away the tofu from the package deal and drain. Together with your arms, gently squeeze out as a lot water as attainable with out breaking or crushing the block. Lay the tofu flat on a slicing board, so the longer edge is in direction of you, then minimize it into 4 strips. Rotate the strips in order that the broader (minimize sides) are flat towards the slicing board, and minimize them in half once more, so you may have 8 strips whole. Lower the strips crosswise into 1-inch cubes (I find yourself with 5 cubes per strip).
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Line a slicing board or massive plate with a clear tea towel (or related lint-free kitchen towel) or paper towels. Unfold the tofu cubes onto it in a single layer and lay a second towel on prime. Press gently however firmly and alter out the towel as wanted. The concept is to take away as a lot water from the tofu as attainable.
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In a small bowl or massive liquid measuring cup, stir collectively the soy sauce, vinegar, syrup, oil, garlic powder, ginger, and scorching sauce.
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Place the tofu in a shallow baking dish or medium mixing bowl. Pour the soy sauce combination over the tofu, then together with your hand, toss gently to mix. Let the tofu sit for quarter-hour, tossing it once more midway by means of. Don’t fear if a couple of bits crumble. These will flip deliciously crispy.
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For those who’d prefer to preserve the tofu heat between batches, preheat your oven to 250°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F in accordance with the producer’s directions (for my air fryer, that’s 3 minutes of preheat time).
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Simply earlier than cooking, sprinkle the corn starch evenly excessive of the tofu and toss to coat.
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Coat the basket of the air fryer with nonstick spray. Add the tofu in a single layer, leaving a bit of house across the cubes so they don’t contact and the air can flow into. (Relying upon the dimensions of your air fryer, you might have to prepare dinner it in two or three batches.)
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Prepare dinner the tofu for 9 minutes. Then slide the basket out, and shake it gently to toss the tofu. Proceed to prepare dinner for two to 4 further minutes, tossing and checking it every minute, till the tofu is crisp and darkish golden. (The time will fluctuate primarily based in your air fryer; preserve a detailed eye on it in direction of the top to make sure it doesn’t burn.) If desired, switch the tofu to the baking sheet and preserve it heat within the oven whilst you end the remainder.
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Repeat with remaining tofu, discarding any extra marinade (in case you have some crumbled bits of tofu within the backside of the bowl, you possibly can air fry these too). Take pleasure in!
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Notes
- TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE: Use tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos rather than the soy sauce.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate tofu in an hermetic storage container for as much as 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Recrisp tofu within the air fryer at 375 levels F. It is going to solely take a couple of minutes, so examine typically to forestall burning.
- TO FREEZE: The feel of the tofu might change as soon as frozen and thawed, however the taste will stay scrumptious. Place tofu cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze till stable. Freeze the frozen tofu in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
