Tofu is one ingredient you can serve with everything, be it rice, noodles, kimchi, vegetables, or even beans. It is nutritious and has all the essential amino and vitamins our body needs to recharge itself. And if you are worried about the calorie count, try air frying the vegetable.
I have been making crispy tofu in the air fryer for quite some time now. Let me tell you; the taste is unlike anything. Here is how I make them, and you can always give it a shot; so dive right in.
Tofu In Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Parchment paper or air fryer basket liner.
- Cooling wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 lb block of extra firm tofu
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 tbsp sea salt
- 1/4 tbsp ground black peppe
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Start off by mixing the pressed and cubed tofu in a medium-sized bowl. Add your seasoning ingredients along with oil and combine everything well. Make sure all the tofu pieces are well coated with the seasoning.
- Preheat the air fryer for 3 to 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it is preheated, transfer the tofu pieces to the air fryer basket and make sure they are in a single layer with a noticeable distance between them. It will help cook the tofu pieces evenly.
- Cook the tofu for 10 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and shake the basket after 5 minutes. It will help all the pieces to get the perfect crispy texture and golden brown colour.
- Once the time is over, remove the cooked tofu and place it over a cooling wire rack. Allow it to cool for a few minutes and serve it.
Notes
- Silken tofu is the worst choice for the recipe. It usually leaves you with the wrong texture and breaks apart easily once you press it.
- Not all air fryers are the same and so is their temperature range. I have a medium-sized air fryer and cooking for 10 minutes is more than enough. However, you can adjust the heat and cooking time accordingly.
- If you have a small air fryer, it is better to work in batches. Always add tofu in the air fryer basket in a single layer and maintain a distance between these pieces. It will help you get even more taste and texture.
- Have fun with different seasoning mixes. I usually like switching between Cajun seasoning, BBQ seasoning, and Italian seasoning mixed with herbs like dried parsley, oregano, or dried basil.
Nutritional Value of Air Fryer Tofu
Tofu contains all the essential minerals and amino acids our body needs to stay healthy. Plus, when it is not deep-fried, you do not have to worry about the calorie count. To give you an idea, this 4-serving air fryer tofu recipe contains around 110 calories, 5g carbs, 11g protein, 6g fat, 1g fibre, and 20 mg potassium.
What to Serve the Air Fryer Tofu with?
These crispy and delicious air fryer tofu pieces are good to go on their own as a mid-meal snack. It equally complements bigger meals, prepared with cooked rice, roasted veggies, and tasty dips. I pretty much add the air fryer tofu in everything, but here are some hit recipes I have served it with.
- Kimchi brown rice bowl.
- Cauliflower rice kimchi bowl.
- Cashew broccoli noodles.
- Veggie power bowl served with soft-boiled eggs.
- Bean bowls.
How to Press Tofu?
Pressing tofu is essential for the recipe, as it gives you the crispiest and crunchiest tofu by removing excess water from it and making it extra firm. Though the tofu press gives you the best results, it is still okay to use a cast-iron skillet or even a stack of books. So, if you have the tofu press, it is super easy to use and gives you a perfectly chewy texture.
What to Do with the Leftovers?
You can store the leftover tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can reheat it whenever you want for 4 minutes in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. I do not like freezing the tofu for a longer time, as its texture goes really bad, though the taste remains intact.
Try It Already!
Tofu prepared in the air fryer is a good idea to serve with your lunch bowls. The best part about tofu is that it works best with almost every seasoning. So, do not be afraid, experiment with the flavours, and give the air fryer tofu a shot; you will definitely like it.
