Are you looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare tofu? Look no further than your air fryer! With its crispy texture and flavorful coating, air-fried tofu is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. In this article, we'll share three tasty air fryer tofu recipes that cater to different preferences and dietary requirements. From classic to spicy and everything in between, these recipes will surely satisfy your taste buds. Whether you're a tofu enthusiast or simply seeking a healthier alternative to traditional fried foods, our air fryer tofu recipes are sure to impress. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your perception of tofu and leave you craving more!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
AIR FRYER TOFU
These crispy tofu bites are great as a snack, a topping for a salad, or added to a stir-fry. You may have to cook these in two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Provided by Bren
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegetarian Protein Tofu
Time 1h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place tofu onto a plate lined with several paper towels. Cover with more paper towels and another plate. Set a 3- to 5-pound weight on top and press tofu for 30 minutes; drain and discard any accumulated liquid and cut tofu into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Combine soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, and sesame oil in a small bowl; mix well. Add tofu cubes and marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Preheat an air fryer to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
- Place tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 5 minutes without shaking the fryer. Continue air frying, shaking occasionally, until browned, about 10 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 121.5 calories, Carbohydrate 3.2 g, Fat 8.9 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 9.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 141 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
AIR FRYER VEGAN BUFFALO TOFU BITES
Tofu is breaded and air-fried then tossed in buffalo sauce for vegan buffalo wings to cure your spicy fix without oil. Freezing the tofu gives it a chewy texture that makes this snack just that much better. Serve with fresh veggies and vegan ranch dressing.
Provided by Buckwheat Queen
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Spicy
Time 8h40m
Yield 20
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Remove tofu block from the package and discard liquid. Wrap tofu in cheesecloth, place on a plate, and cover with a heavy pot until remaining liquid has been squeezed out, about 10 minutes. Remove the cheesecloth and cut tofu into 20 1-inch, bite-sized pieces. Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze, 8 hours to overnight.
- Remove tofu from freezer and thaw on paper towels or a dry cheesecloth. Pat dry.
- While tofu is thawing, put cornstarch into a resealable plastic bag. Pour rice milk into a small bowl.
- Preheat an air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Place tofu into the bag with the cornstarch, seal, and shake to coat the tofu pieces completely. Remove tofu pieces and dredge each piece in rice milk.
- Place bread crumbs, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and pepper in the resealable plastic bag with the cornstarch residue; shake until well mixed. Place each piece of tofu, one at a time, back in the bag with the bread crumbs. Shake the bag until tofu piece is completely coated, tap gently to shake off excess, and place tofu on a wire rack while you repeat with remaining tofu pieces.
- Add coated tofu to the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes. Shake the basket to loosen the pieces. Cook for another 3 minutes or until browned.
- Place 1/3 cup buffalo sauce in a bowl, add cooked tofu bites, and toss to coat. Drizzle remaining buffalo sauce over tofu and continue tossing to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 34.9 calories, Carbohydrate 6.2 g, Fat 1 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 243.2 mg, Sugar 0.1 g
AIR FRYER CHILI-GARLIC TOFU WITH GREEN BEANS
Air fryers aren't just for French fries, and this recipe showcases their versatility with a stir-fry-like dish that uses just a fraction of the typical amount of oil. Cleanup is a breeze since any splatters are kept in the fryer, and everything is cooked in about 30 minutes. The tofu is crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside, perfect for soaking up the warming chili sauce. Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Drain the tofu, wrap each block in several layers of paper towel and set on a large plate. Place a heavy pan on top (cast-iron works great for this) to press excess liquid from the tofu; allow to rest for 15 minutes.
- Slice each tofu block into six 1/2-inch-thick slices. Drain the large plate of any excess liquid, wipe dry and place the tofu slices back on the plate. Put 1 tablespoon of the oil in a small bowl and use a pastry brush to coat both sides of the slices with the oil. Season both sides of the slices with 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Lay the tofu slices flat in the basket of the air fryer and cook, flipping halfway through, until lightly golden and crisp, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F again.
- Toss the green beans in a large bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper. Cook the beans, tossing halfway through, until tender and blistered, about 10 minutes.
- While the beans cook, combine the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, mirin, brown sugar, chili-garlic paste, cornstarch, garlic and 3 tablespoons water in a small saucepan and stir until the cornstarch is dissolved. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly reduced, thickened and shiny, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Transfer the beans to a large serving plate and shingle the tofu slices on top. Drizzle the sauce over the tofu and beans and garnish with the scallions.
AIR FRYER CRISPY HONEY SOY TOFU RECIPE BY TASTY
Introducing honey soy tofu that's so tasty, you won't want to share. Pressing the tofu takes some time, but after that, the process is easy and the crispy results are worth it! Coat the tofu cubes in a simple DIY seasoning mix, air fry to crispy perfection, then toss in a delicious ginger honey soy sauce. We recommend serving it over steamed rice with your favorite vegetable alongside.
Provided by Aleya Zenieris
Categories Lunch
Time 50m
Yield 24 pieces
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Prepare the tofu: Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
- Remove the tofu from the package and lay on the prepared baking sheet. Top with 2 more paper towels and another baking sheet and weigh down with a heavy pan or cast iron skillet. Press the tofu for 30-60 minutes to remove excess liquid before frying. This can be done up to 2 days ahead; store the pressed tofu in an airtight container until ready to use.
- After pressing, transfer the tofu to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the potato starch, ground ginger, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Add the tofu cubes and toss until well coated on all sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the inside of the air fryer basket with nonstick spray.
- Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, shake off the excess flour from each piece of tofu and place in the air fryer. Fry for 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy. Transfer to a medium bowl while you repeat with the remaining tofu.
- While the tofu fries, make the sauce: in a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, sesame oil, ginger, honey, sambal, garlic, and rice wine. Cook over medium heat until the sauce reduces and starts to thicken, 5-7 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup water and the cornstarch to make a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes, until thickened. If the sauce becomes too thick, thin out with water as needed.
- Pour the sauce over the tofu and toss until well coated. Save any remaining sauce for dipping if desired, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Arrange the tofu on a platter and top with the sesame seeds, scallions, and a squeeze of lime.
- Serve over steamed rice with your favorite steamed vegetable, such as broccoli.
- Enjoy!
AIR FRYER VEGAN TOFU AND ASPARAGUS SCRAMBLE
Firm tofu, when crumbled, has a scrambled egg texture. This tofu scramble is nutritionally comparable to scrambled eggs, and is a wonderful healthy choice for breakfast or any other meal! This savory scramble requires a few air fryer steps, and is topped with a sweet soy sauce drizzle and chopped, raw almonds.
Provided by Diana71
Categories 100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes Vegan Breakfast and Brunch
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine 1/2 cup soy sauce, brown sugar, and mirin in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until sauce has reduced by half, 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool and thicken.
- Meanwhile, place raw almonds into a small bowl and cover with water. Soak for at least 10 minutes, then drain. Cut each almond into thirds or smaller chunks if desired.
- Press tofu block between paper towels. Place your hands on the top and bottom of the block and firmly squeeze out extra water. Set aside on a cutting board until ready to use.
- Place asparagus spears in one layer across the crisping tray in the air fryer basket. Lightly spritz with olive oil cooking spray.
- Set air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and cook asparagus for 10 minutes. Pull basket out after 5 minutes to shake vigorously; return basket and continue cooking. Pour cooked asparagus pieces into a large bowl.
- Mix olive oil, 1 teaspoon soy sauce, rice vinegar, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Cut tofu block into 1/2- to 1-inch cubes and add to the bowl. Mix carefully to coat tofu cubes on all sides, keeping cubes as intact as possible. Toss cubes with nutritional yeast.
- Place seasoned tofu cubes onto the crisping tray in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10 minutes, shaking vigorously after 5 minutes.
- Mix tofu cubes and asparagus pieces together, pressing some of the cubes apart into a semi-scrambled texture. Drizzle sweet soy sauce over the mixture and top with chopped almonds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 264.8 calories, Carbohydrate 34.9 g, Fat 7 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 12 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 1930.1 mg, Sugar 29.1 g
Tips for Making Air Fryer Tofu:
- Choose the Right Tofu: Opt for extra-firm or firm tofu to achieve a crispy texture.
- Press the Tofu: Remove excess moisture by pressing the tofu between two plates with a heavy object on top for 30 minutes.
- Slice Tofu Properly: Cut the tofu into uniform slices or cubes for even cooking.
- Season Well: Use a combination of salt, pepper, and your favorite spices or marinades to enhance the flavor.
- Coat the Tofu: Lightly coat the tofu with oil (e.g., olive oil or avocado oil) to promote crispiness.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Cook in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
- Shake or Toss the Tofu: Give the tofu a shake or toss halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
- Check for Crispiness: Use a fork to check the crispiness of the tofu. Cook for a few more minutes if needed.
Conclusion:
Air fryer tofu is an easy, healthy, and delicious alternative to traditional fried tofu. With its crispy texture and customizable flavors, it makes a versatile addition to various dishes. Experiment with different seasonings, marinades, and toppings to create your unique air-fried tofu recipe. Whether you're looking for a quick snack, a protein-packed main course, or a flavorful addition to salads or stir-fries, air fryer tofu is a great choice. Its convenience and health benefits make it an excellent option for busy individuals and health-conscious individuals alike. Embrace the ease and versatility of air fryer tofu and enjoy this delicious and nutritious plant-based protein.
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