Air Fryer Tofu
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
160 kcal
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Course
Side Dish
Air Fryer Tofu
Description
The recipe starts with pressing a block of extra-firm tofu to remove excess water by gently squeezing and then pressing it between towels, optionally with additional weight. This step is critical for crispiness. A seasoned wet paste combining cornstarch, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, oil, and spices is prepared to coat the tofu pieces evenly.
Tofu is hand-broken into roughly 1½-inch chunks and gently tossed in the seasoning mixture, ensuring an even coating. Air frying then crisps the coating, resulting in tofu pieces that are crunchy outside and tender within. The flavor profile is mildly smoky and savory with subtle heat from white pepper and smoked paprika.
This method yields a quick way to prepare tofu with a satisfying texture without deep-frying, suitable for adding to salads, bowls, or as a protein component in meals.
Ingredients
- 1 block tofu anywhere from 14-16 oz. is fine, as tofu blocks vary, extra firm
- 2½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 2½ tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil such as canola, vegetable, avocado, or olive oil, generic cooking oil
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Remove the block of tofu from the package. Over the sink or a bowl, gently squeeze it between your palms a few times until no more water drips out of it. Next, gently press it between a folded clean kitchen towel to reduce the remaining moisture.
- If desired, you can press the tofu on a plate with another plate on top, held down with a frying pan. This will get even more water out of it. You can leave it like this for as little as 30 minutes up to overnight (in the refrigerator), and it will help nicely in yielding crispier results.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, oil, white pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. It should resemble a wet paste.
- Into the same bowl, use your hands to break up the tofu into 1½-inch chunks. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You can start larger knowing that as you toss the tofu, a few pieces will get broken up.
- Use a rubber spatula to gently toss the tofu pieces and coat them in the seasoning paste.
- Air fry at 400°F/200°C for 12-14 minutes, shaking the air fryer basket once midway through to flip the pieces around, until golden and crisp at the edges!
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 160 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 160kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Sodium | 423mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 287mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 62IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.03mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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