This craveworthy, protein-packed snack is a cinch to prep.
Would you be surprised to learn that an air fryer can crisp up tofu to create a dish that’s luscious on the inside with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior? We certainly were! We created the perfect procedure that creates a quick and easy plant-based protein that can be used as a midday snack or star in your next stir-fry or curry. With this in mind, the tricks we’re divulging here are centered around picking extra firm tofu and pressing out the water out of it before making the most magical tofu. Even your pickiest eater will this crispy air-fried tofu!
Choose Extra Firm Hard Tofu
To begin, knowing which tofu to choose is of the utmost importance. It’s easy to mistakenly choose the wrong tofu. Although that can be dismaying, there are so many great recipes out there for soft, silken, medium, hard silken, etc. Do you see where we are going here? Given that there are so many choices and some of them seem ambiguous, the best tofu for frying will be extra firm hard tofu. If you can find a package with those reassuring three words, then you’re in luck.
Also, know that some markets and grocery stores are more superior in delivering natural, whole foods such as firm tofu. Although your local big store might have it in stock, the buyer may not know which tofus they should have on hand for their customers. Many times, we’ve seen hard silken tofu next to the soft, silken tofu. To be honest, there’s not much difference between the two when it comes to frying it up. Both types will crumble in your frying pan, resembling more of an egg scramble. In essence, your best bet is to choose a store that has a large inventory of healthy natural foods with a quick turnover.
Press Tofu To Release Its Water
Tofu is extremely porous, and it’s usually packed in water. If you can find a shrink-wrapped pack sans water, you should probably purchase three or four blocks of it. This kind of tofu typically requires less pressing, if any, knocking out thirty minutes of prep time.
If your purchase requires pressing, it’s super simple and somewhat satisfying. Just wrap your opened tofu in paper towels (or a thick clean tea towel) and set it on a cutting board or plate. Get another heavy cutting board or cast iron pan and place it on top of the tofu. After thirty minutes, you will have extremely wet towels and a nice dry chunk of tofu. Alternatively, you can buy a tofu press if you plan to cook a lot of tofu.
Tofu Soaks Up Other Flavors
Like meat, tofu can handle a fairly long marinade, and it benefits by soaking up other flavors. Due to all its pores, it soaks up marinade quickly, and it can start to lose its structure after eight hours. It’s also best to keep the sodium levels in your ingredients to a bare minimum, or the dish can become too salty.
Adding elements of citrus, ginger, or lemongrass neutralizes the salinity of a marinatde and also adds a much-needed freshness. If you somehow left the tofu too long in a marinade, try soaking it in plain water and re-pressing it after a few hours.
The Crisp Effect Of the Air Fryer
If you have yet to attempt crisping up tofu in the air fryer, then you are in for a real treat. To make this crispy air-fried tofu, set the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. After it preheats, cook the tofu for ten minutes, checking it after five minutes. Shake the basket or turn tofu over with tongs or a spatula halfway through for an even cook. Alternatively, your oven’s broiler can be used in the same method, turning each side after five minutes for even results. Marinades with sugar will brown faster, so keep an eye out for burning.
Besides munching on these flavor cubes as a snack, you can also enjoy your tofu on top of a salad or in an Asian or Indian inspired rice or noodle dish. Alternatively, try adding tofu to Cauliflower Stir Fry or Quinoa Stir Fry for a high protein/low-carb meal.
Crispy Air-Fried Tofu | Vegan Air Fryer Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 pound tofu extra-firm
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Press tofu for at least 15 minutes, using a heavy pan or a weighted-down baking sheet to squeeze the excess moisture from the tofu block.Â
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic powder.
- Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes. Add the tofu pieces to the marinade bowl and let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.Â
- Add the tofu to the basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through or shaking the basket to ensure even cooking. You may have to cook the tofu in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Nutrition Information
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