This crispy air-fried is the perfect balance of crunch on the outside with a tender, juicy interior. The best part? It’s incredibly simple to prepare and the flavors are bold and satisfying. I can’t wait to share this easy recipe with you!
Why My Kids Love This Air Fryer Tofu
There are always some foods that my kids just won’t eat, no matter how I cook them. It can be a bit frustrating, but I’ve learned that some dishes are just not their favorites.
Some foods, though, they might not want to try at first, but if I cook them in a way that really brings out the flavors, they’ll eat it.
Tofu is one of those foods that has been a bit tricky for us.
They’re not the biggest fans, and it’s a pity because I think tofu is such a great source of protein.
So, I’ve been on a mission to find ways to make tofu a dish they’ll actually enjoy.
And guess what? They absolutely love this air-fried tofu! It’s a total game-changer.
Tips for Success
- Use Firm Tofu: I recommend using firm tofu because it’s sturdy and perfect for air-frying or pan-frying. It won’t break apart easily and will hold its shape well.
- No Marination Needed: Unlike many tofu recipes, this one doesn‘t require marinating, so you can save time and start cooking right away.
- Customize the Seasonings: What I love about this recipe is that you can easily adjust the seasonings to your preference. You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less Thai chili pepper.
- Pan-Fry Option: If you don’t have an air fryer, you can pan-fry the tofu. Heat some oil in a nonstick pan, add the tofu pieces, and cook over low heat, flipping occasionally, until both sides are golden and crispy.
Why you‘ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare with minimal effort
- Crispy and tender tofu with a savory, spicy sauce
- Perfect for a snack, side dish, or a main meal
- Uses ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen
Ingredients:
- 500g tofu
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 40g minced garlic
- 1 tsp fine chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 bowl of water
- 2 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 3 tsp water)
- 20g cilantro
- 10g Thai chili pepper
Instructions:
Instructions:
Tofu Preprocessing:
Cut the tofu into small, evenly thick pieces, about 1 – 1.5 cm thick.
Gently press the tofu with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
Place the tofu in the air fryer basket and evenly spray vegetable oil over the tofu to ensure each piece is coated for extra crispiness.
Roasting the Tofu:
Set the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and roast the tofu for 20 minutes.
After 10 minutes, open the air fryer, flip the tofu with chopsticks or tongs, and continue cooking until both sides are golden and crispy. Once done, remove the tofu and set it aside.
Making the Sauce:
In a separate pan, heat a small amount of vegetable oil over low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and slightly golden.
Add 1 tsp of fine chili powder and 1 tsp of cumin powder, continuing to sauté until the oil turns red and the spices release their fragrance.
Pour in 1 bowl of water, then add 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp white sugar, 1 tsp light soy sauce, and 1 tsp oyster sauce to season. Stir well to combine.
Once the water starts boiling, slowly drizzle in the cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously.
Stir in the cilantro and Thai chili pepper, then turn off the heat.
Plating and Serving:
Arrange the roasted tofu neatly on a plate. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the tofu, making sure every piece is coated.
Simple Air-Fried Tofu with a Flavor Kick
Ingredients
- 500 g tofu
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 40 g minced garlic
- 1 tsp fine chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white sugar
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 bowl of water
- 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 3 tsp water
- 20 g cilantro
- 10 g Thai chili pepper
Instructions
Tofu Preprocessing:
- Cut the tofu into small, evenly thick pieces, about 1 - 1.5 cm thick.
- Gently press the tofu with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
- Place the tofu in the air fryer basket and evenly spray vegetable oil over the tofu to ensure each piece is coated for extra crispiness.
Roasting the Tofu:
- Set the air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and roast the tofu for 20 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, open the air fryer, flip the tofu with chopsticks or tongs, and continue cooking until both sides are golden and crispy. Once done, remove the tofu and set it aside.
Making the Sauce:
- In a separate pan, heat a small amount of vegetable oil over low heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and slightly golden.
- Add 1 tsp of fine chili powder and 1 tsp of cumin powder, continuing to sauté until the oil turns red and the spices release their fragrance.
- Pour in 1 bowl of water, then add 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp white sugar, 1 tsp light soy sauce, and 1 tsp oyster sauce to season. Stir well to combine.
- Once the water starts boiling, slowly drizzle in the cornstarch slurry, stirring continuously.
- Stir in the cilantro and Thai chili pepper, then turn off the heat.
Plating and Serving:
- Arrange the roasted tofu neatly on a plate. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over the tofu, making sure every piece is coated.
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