Crispy Air Fryer Tofu in Asian Sauce Recipe

This Air Fryer Tofu is so delicious and crispy. Although the recipe is vegan, it can be easily made Gluten-free t00. It’s perfectly crispy from outside & soft inside and is coated in the most delicious ASIAN SAUCE. VIDEO ATTACHED.

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Post updated for images on 1/6/23.

Easy Air Fryer Tofu in Simple Asian Sauce 

We love Asian food here. Since it has a perfect amalgam of spice, sweet, salt & umami, it is a much loved cuisine all around the world. Do check out some of our ASIAN NOODLES RECIPES like – Teriyaki Noodles, Dan Dan Noodles, Garlic Noodles, Kung Pao Spaghetti and more. And don’t forget to check out our Vegan General Tso’s Meatballs, Red Thai Curry, and more. Have you checked our Air fryer Shishito Peppers in Asian Sauce & Eggplants in Asian Sauce.

I have made a SIMPLE ASIAN SAUCE to coat the AIR FRIED TOFU which is super quick to put together. 

Since it takes under 30 minutes to put this recipe together, it can be easily added to weekly menu. It is a complete meal when served with rice on the side. It makes an amazing Vegan Meal.

Tofu is our favorite way of including protein in our diet. Extra Firm Tofu is a wonderful ingredient to use and include in the meals. And when Air fried, it adds amazing texture to the recipe.

This meal actually tasted better than what you get at P.F.Chang’s. Therefore from now on, when you crave for the take-out then make this easy peasy delicious ASIAN MEAL at home.

How does the AIR FRYER TOFU taste?

Air fryer tofu is crispy on the outside and juicy and soft inside. It has amazing texture. Although you can pan fry it too but it takes more oil to pan fry. AIR FRYER crisps the Tofu without the use of much oil. 

It is so easy to prep that I can’t even tell you. Although it is a crispy Tofu recipe but that does not mean to air fry it to the point that it becomes hard and dry. If that happens then the texture will be become very chewy and hard to bite. Also it won’t absorb any sauce.

 

Easy Air Fryer Tofu in Ginger Garlic Sauce Ingredients

Extra Firm Tofu

Fresh Ingredients – Ginger, Garlic, Green Scallions

Other Condiments – Soy Sauce (or Tamari for Glutenfree), Sriracha or any Asian Hot sauce, Brown Sugar or Honey or any sweetener of choice, Sesame Oil, Corn Starch, Salt & Black Pepper, Oil spray, roasted sesame seeds

Kitchen Gadgets

Air fryer

Air fryer Parchment Paper

Kitchen Colander

Mixing Bowl

Small Whisk

Small Sauce Pan

Chopping board and Knife

Measuring Cups & Spoon

Kitchen Cooking Spoon

Kitchen Colander

or TOFU PRESS

Home Made Asian Sauce Quick & Easy Recipe

This is my favorite go to recipe for Asian Sauce. I do not need a lot of ingredients to put it together, nothing fancy at all. Just few ingredients and bam. I do not even have to saute anything for this recipe. Just mix all the ingredients and bring to a slow boil. Switch off the stove and you have delicious Asian Sauce ready.

Can I Cook the Tofu in advance?

Yes you can cook Tofu in advance. And reheat in air fryer for few minutes before serving.

Do I have to serve it in the sauce?

No you do not have to. You can season the tofu more before air frying and serve it as is or with the Asian sauce on the side as a dipping sauce.

Can I double the batch?

Yes easily. Although you might have to do it in few batches.  For nice crispy tofu, you have to cook it in single layer without over-crowding the air fryer basket.

Can I cook it directly on the air fryer basket?

Yes you can. But make sure to grease the air fryer basket well before air frying.

What can I use to substitute Tofu?

As a vegetarian, I will highly recommend you to use Paneer in place of Tofu. Even the SOY NUGGETS or Sietan or any vegan or vegetarian protein can be used. 

How to store the leftovers?

Although I doubt that there will be leftovers. But you can refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container.

Any tips on FREEZING?

I have never tried freezing the recipe, therefore can not comment on that.

 

How do you take the water out of the TOFU?

Since Tofu comes submerged in water/liquid, it is very important to drain all the water out to attain that perfect texture. This is how you do it –

• You roll the block of Tofu in kitchen paper or clean kitchen towel and then put it in a Kitchen Colander in the kitchen sink. 
• Then place a heavy object or a bowl of water on top of the tofu. This will press the Tofu down and squeeze out all the extra liquid.
• Doing that for 20-30 minutes is sufficient time to get rid of the liquid.
• OR you can just use the TOFU PRESS  to get rid of the liquid. If you use Tofu often, then this is a great gadget to buy.

Can I cook the Crispy Tofu in Oven if I do not have Air Fryer?

Yes you can. Follow the same prep instructions. Place the tofu cubes on a baking sheet apart from each other and bake at 400*F till Tofu is crispy. It might take about 25 minute sin  the oven. Keep checking.

Can I make the CRISPY TOFU in a SAUTE PAN on the gas top?

That is the traditional way of cooking the crispy tofu. So the answer is yes. The only difference is that you have to shallow fry it in oil. Or cook in a non stick pan with little oil on medium heat till it is crispy.

How to make CRISPY AIR FRYER TOFU in ASIAN SAUCE?

The recipe has 3 Steps. Watch the Video.

PREPARING THE TOFU BEFORE AIR FRYING

• You roll the block of EXTRA FIRM TOFU in kitchen paper or clean kitchen towel and then put it in a Kitchen Colander in the kitchen sink. 
• Then place a heavy object or a bowl of water on top of the tofu. This will press the Tofu down and squeeze out all the extra liquid.
• Doing that for 20-30 minutes is sufficient time to get rid of the liquid.
• OR you can just use the TOFU PRESS  to get rid of the liquid. If you use Tofu often, then this is a great gadget to buy.

PREPARING TOFU FOR AIR FRYING

• Place the Pressed tofu on the chopping board and cut it into 1 inch cubes.
• Take a large Mixing Bowl and add cubed tofu to it in a single layer. Add 1 tbsp Soy Sauce (or Tamari for Glutenfree) and coat it gently in the soy sauce.
• Now sprinkle 1 tbsp of Corn Starch gently on top and mix gently with a small tong. This much amount of corn starch will coat the cubes just enough. Un even coating is ok. We are using small quantity of corn starch for a delicious texture. 

AIR FRYING TOFU

• Preheat the Air fryer at 400*F for 3-4 minutes. Now place a Air fryer Parchment Paper inside the air fryer basket and place TOFU CUBES at some distance from each other. You might have to air fry all the cubes in 2 batches. You can also choose to skip the paper and air fry directly on the wire basket. In that case, spray the basket well with oil to avoid sticking.
• Now AIR FRY TOFU at 400*F for 15-16 minutes. Flip the tofu cubes in between at 7-8 minutes. This will yield crispy from outside and soft from inside TOFU. If you want crispier tofu, then air fry for few more minutes till you get the desired texture. DO NOT OVER AIR FRY or the tofu will become very dry.
• Set aside.

MAKING ASIAN SAUCE

• Meanwhile the Tofu is air-frying, prepare the sauce.
• Take a heavy bottom Sauce Pan. Add Ginger, Garlic, Soy Sauce, Sriracha, Sesame Oil, Black Pepper, Corn Starch and 1/2 cup water to the pan. Whisk it well to combine ingredients. You can skip the sesame oil. I add it since it gives a nice body and color to the sauce along with flavors. 
• Once the ingredients are combined, now start simmering the sauce. Bring it to a gentle simmer and switch off the heat. Add Salt if needed. Also adjust the heat or the sweetness of the sauce to your personal liking. It will thicken as it sits. 

AIR FRIED TOFU IN ASIAN SAUCE

• Add air fried tofu to the Asian sauce. Mix gently.
• Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds and some green scallions on the top. 
• Serve with some warm rice on the side. 

Serving Suggestion –

You can serve these along with some Dang Dang Noodles, Vegetable Noodles, Teriyaki Noodles, General Tso’s Meatballs, Thai Red Curry, Massaman Curry, Thai Green Curry, Garlic Noodles and more.

 

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Air Fryer Tofu in Asian Sauce Video

Easy AIR FRYER TOFU RECIPE in ASIAN SAUCE

I am sure you are going to make this recipe soon. Please leave your feedback in the comments section.

Thanks,

Sonal