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    Crispy Air Fried Tofu

    Jan 18, 2023 · 14 Comments

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    If you enjoy either tofu or easy air fryer recipes, I think you'll become smitten with this Crispy Air Fried Tofu! It's such a simple recipe to make and in my opinion it turns out as good or better than a restaurant appetizer. Winner!!

    My daughter Samantha has always loved the tofu in miso soup, so much so that we began making at home last year. Since she is allergic to most meats we have been experimenting more with tofu at home.

    I had the idea to make her a crispy tofu dish recently and tinkered with different methods. Air frying was hands down the best result both in taste, texture and ease of preparation.

    This recipe is so easy that even a young teen like my daughter can make it on their own.

    The foundation of this Crispy Air Fried Tofu recipe is so simple, yet you can then take it and do so many things with it. For example, I drizzled my portion with honey and I loved it! I then decided that for me a Sriracha-honey drizzle would be the way to go, since I adore a sweet and spicy flavor profile.

    Variations

    • Samantha really enjoyed this air fryer tofu recipe just as pictured, which of course made me so happy! You can however enjoy this recipe for Crispy Tofu over a simple salad, Asian flavored noodles or over rice.

    What is Tofu?

    • Tofu (or bean curd) is a protein rich low calorie food derived from a plant (soybeans) that are curdled and then pressed into blocks. Tofu easily takes on the flavor of what you cook with to flavor it.
    • A great choice for vegetarians and vegans for protein.
    • A ingredient staple in Chinese and Thai cooking.
    • A good source or antioxidants, often touted as anti inflammatory. A good source of zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron.
    Crispy Air Fryer Tofu

    Ingredients

    • block of extra firm or firm tofu
    • soy sauce
    • sesame oil
    • honey 
    • chili with garlic sauce
    • grapeseed, avocado or olive oil

    Tips For Success:

    • Gather the ingredients before you begin: Firm tofu, soy sauce, sesame oil, chili with garlic sauce, honey and grapeseed or olive oil.
    • As you know, tofu is sold packed in liquid to keep it fresh and moist, before cooking dry your tofu by setting folded paper towels below your tofu block and above it and then setting a heavy pan or cutting board on top. Allow it to press our much of the moisture for 20-25 minutes.
    • Prepare your marinade as your tofu sits draining.
    • Preheat your air fryer for 3-4 minutes to get it hot before you begin, this way your tofu will cook and crisp faster.
    • Adding just a bit of honey to your marinade not only lends a subtle sweetness, it helps crisp it up.
    • Enjoy just after air frying.
    • Chili Garlic Sauce is one of my favorite ingredients for sauces, marinades and more. It adds incredible flavor. This is what it is. Find it on Amazon or in your grocers Asian food section.
    Air Fryer Tofu recipe

    I hope you try this recipe out and love it as much as we do! Tag me on Instagram with your creation. Follow me on Facebook for all sorts of fun recipes!

    If you enjoy vegetarian recipes one of my favorites happens to be my Zucchini Cakes, take a look!

    Cheesy Zucchini Cakes

    Vegetarian recipes to try:

    • Tomato Detox Soup - This good-for-you soup recipe may just be the BEST Tomato Soup recipe you have made yet!
    • 5 Ingredient Hot Onion Dip - Everyone (and I mean everyone) will ask for this recipe!
    • Air Fryer Potato Skins - Crispy, addictive and easy! Reducing food waste never tasted so good!

    Enjoy!

    Since I am not an R.D. nutritional data is provided by a nutritional calculator. Originally published in 202. Updated January 2023 with additional text, etc.

    How to make Crispy Air Fried Tofu
    Print Recipe
    4.86 from 7 votes

    Crispy Air Fried Tofu

    Even if you think tofu is not for you, this easy Crispy Air Fried Tofu recipe with Asian flavors may just change you mind, its that delicious!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time12 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine: Asian
    Keyword: air fried tofu, asian crispy tofu, crispy tofu
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 188kcal
    Author: Colleen

    Equipment

    • air fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound block of extra firm or firm tofu
    • 3 TBS soy sauce
    • 1 TBS sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon honey more to taste
    • ½ TBS chili with garlic sauce
    • 1 ½ TBS grapeseed or olive oil

    Instructions

    • Set tofu between folded paper towels (on top and on bottom) and place a heavy wood cutting board or pan on top. This will help press out liquid. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes, changing the paper towel halfway through if necessary.
    • As tofu sits to dry, combine marinade ingredients. Mixing the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, chili with garlic sauce and oil together with either a whisk or by shaking it in a mason jar (with lid) to emulsify. Set aside.
    • Once tofu has most of the liquid pressed out, cut it with a sharp knife into bite-sized pieces by first cutting your block into 3 or 4 strips and then cutting those into squares or rectangles.
    • Place tofu pieces into a shallow dish, pour marinade over them and use chopsticks or small tongs to turn them to ensure even coating. Allow them to sit for 10 minutes (or up to 30 minutes).
    • Air fryers vary, if yours has a preheat option set it for 4-5 minutes. If it does not, just start it empty and let it run for 3-4 minutes at 350. Then carefully place your tofu (using tongs) into the basket, you don't want them touching one-another. allow space between each for the air to circulate. (You will most likley be making two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer). Set your air fryer to 400 degrees F and set the timer for 13 minutes.
    • Halfway through the cooking process, gently and quickly turn your tofu.
    • Remove from air fryer, plate and if you wish, drizzle with just a bit of honey. Garnish with scallions, cilantro or parsley and enjoy! Serves 4 as an appetizer or two as an entree.

    Notes

    If you do not enjoy any spicy heat at all, you can omit the chili garlic sauce and instead substitute garlic paste or minced garlic. If you like things spicy, go ahead and add more chili garlic paste OR add a drizzle of sriracha to the finished dish, or better yet a drizzle of sriracha honey...Yum! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4g | Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 863mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 2mg

    More appetizers

    • Queso Fundido Recipe
    • Gebrannte Mandeln Candied Almonds
    • The BEST Hot Onion Dip
    • Sweet Potato Bisque
    125 shares
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anne Lawton says

      May 17, 2020 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      Great idea! I hae not thought about making tofu in the air fryer, pinned to make this week!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        May 18, 2020 at 2:38 pm

        Hope you enjoy! Tag me with your creation on Instagram at @soufflebombay. I'd love to share it!

        Reply
    2. Terri Gilson says

      May 18, 2020 at 2:04 am

      5 stars
      I really need to get an air fryer- this is such a great meatless Monday dish!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        May 18, 2020 at 2:36 pm

        You do! I have had an air fryer since the first version came out 7 or so years ago, they sure have changed for the better!! Now I am waiting for a larger capacity unit. Then it will be perfect!

        Reply
    3. Jersey Girl Cooks says

      May 18, 2020 at 4:03 am

      5 stars
      I cant wait to try this! I've never made tofu in the air fryer but it looks terrific.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        May 18, 2020 at 2:34 pm

        Thanks and I hope you do, its super easy and the variations are many!

        Reply
    4. ashok says

      May 27, 2021 at 2:09 am

      5 stars
      Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        June 04, 2021 at 1:14 pm

        Fantastic! It's a favorite of my teen daughter 🙂

        Reply
    5. Kathleen says

      November 17, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      This is so good and so easy. Excellent side or appetizer. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        November 17, 2021 at 4:17 pm

        Excellent! Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    6. Cs says

      January 08, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      4 stars
      This was an excellent recipe, but I highly recommend NOT using grape seed oil. It tastes like soap.

      We also made stir fry veggies and white rice with this, which was delish.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        January 19, 2022 at 7:56 pm

        That's so funny, I adore grapeseed because I don't taste anything (or Irish rapeseed). Maybe its like cilantro (my husband tastes soap and hates it, whilst I can eat it by the handful, lol)

        Reply
    7. Nevadamtnbear says

      January 10, 2022 at 8:58 am

      5 stars
      Wonderful. I did our own adaptation on the marinade by using maple syrup instead of honey, spicy gochujang, Korean chili pepper, and a mix of soy and ponzu. Made this to add to the Buddha bowls we prepared for lunches this week for the Hubby, daughter and myself. My 17 year old son (who is addicted to carbs and meat) said “dang, that’s really good.”

      This is a good recipe and easy to adapt to get different flavors. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        January 19, 2022 at 7:49 pm

        Sounds amazing!!

        Reply

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