Air fryer sticky tofu is an easy appetizer. However, tofu is something you need to develop your taste for. Embracing Vietnamese cuisine helped me enjoy it occasionally. This side is perfect with any noodles or fried rice. Making it in air fryer also helps you avoid extra calories from frying.
There are 3 types of tofu mainly - firm, extra firm and soft. While soft tofu is great for vegan scrambled eggs. Firm and extra firm tofu make great appetizers like pho and tofu Manchurian. You can marinate tofu in sticky sauce or satay to make a yummy meal any day.
Jump to:
Benefits of tofu
- Tofu is low in calories yet high in protein. Hence, it is excellent for weight-loss.
- It has no cholesterol.
- It is high in fiber and helps boost memory.
- Maintains cardiovascular health.
- High in calcium and magnesium so helps avoid bone related issues.
Ingredients
To air fry tofu
- tofu (extra firm or regular firm tofu(pressed)
- soy sauce
- oil
- corn flour
To cook sticky tofu in wok
- Oil,green onion, ginger,garlic,sesame seeds
- Soy sauce
- Cornflour and water
- Vinegar
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Honey / Maple syrup (if vegan)
Instructions for air fryer tofu
You can either use extra firm tofu or use regular tofu and press it to remove excess water.
The below steps are with regular firm tofu, hence we have pressed it to remove excesswater
- Use a tofu press or, just place a flat plat and a heavy item(cast iron vessel) on the top for 30 minutes to remove excess water.
- Cut the tofu it in smaller cubes.
- Mix soy sauce ,oil and cornflour ,toss tofu pieces .Keep it aside for 10 mins.
- Dust these cubes in corn flour. This helps them to make them crispy when you fry or air-fry.
- Preheat your air fryer for 10 mins at 190 deg C. | 375 F. Layer the pieces on a parchment paper on a grill tray without overlapping each other. Spray oil on these before cooking them
- Air fry the marinated tofu for 10 mins at 190 C| 375 deg F. Once they are cooked,keep them aside.
You can enjoy these as is or make a stick tofu as shown below.
Instructions for air fryer sticky tofu
- In a wok, heat oil and fry chopped ginger garlic and green onions.
- Add tofu cubes and the sauces along with salt (optional). Let it cook for few minutes.
- Add the water and cornflour mix,allow to cook for few minutes.Once it starts boiling,you can turn off the heat.
- Depending on your choice, you can adjust the gravy with more water and sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped spring onions.
- Serve hot with noodles, bean sprouts and air fried broccoli in a Buddha bowl.
Substitution
If you are a vegetarian, you may substitute tofu for paneer.
Variations
You can just air fry tofu and enjoy it as is or add that to salads/curries
The combination of four sauces Soy,Vinegar, Sweet chilly,maple syrup can be customized to suit as per individual's taste buds. You can add extra hot chili sauce to make it more spicy.
Storage
Store it in refrigerator for 1-2 days. Always reheat your left overs. Tofu packet once opened, should be finished within 3 days or as per packet restrictions.
Related links
easy sticky tofu | air fryer sticky tofu recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- wok
- spatula
Ingredients
For air fry tofu
- 200 gms Regular firm tofu or extra firm tofu, does not require pressing
- 2 teaspoon oil
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon cornflour for marinating tofu
- 2 teaspoon cornflour for dusting the tofu before air frying
For sticky tofu
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 2 tbsp. ginger-garlic chopped
- 2-3 stalks green onions chopped
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup/ honey
- 1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
- 1 teaspoon vinegar Optional
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ cup water
- 2 tsp cornflour
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish
- 1 teaspoon Salt as per taste adjust as per the salt in the soy sauce.
Instructions
For air fryer tofu
- In case you are using regular firm tofu,Use a tofu press or, just place a flat plat and a heavy item(cast iron vessel) on the top for 30 minutes to remove excess water.Discard the excess water
- Cut the tofu it in smaller cubes.
- Mix soy sauce ,oil and cornflour ,toss tofu pieces .Keep it aside for 10 mins.
- Dust these cubes in corn flour. This helps them to make them crispy when you fry or air-fry.
- Preheat your air fryer for 10 mins at 190 deg C. | 375 F. Layer the pieces on a parchment paper on a grill tray without overlapping each other. Spray oil on these before cooking them
- Air fry the marinated tofu for 10 mins at 190 C| 375 deg F. Once they are cooked,keep them aside.
For Sticky tofu
- In a wok, heat oil and fry chopped ginger garlic and green onions.
- Add tofu cubes and the sauces along with salt(optional). Let it cook for few minutes.
- Add the water and cornflour mix,allow to cook for few minutes.Once it starts boiling,you can turn off the heat.
- Depending on your choice, you can adjust the gravy with more water and sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped spring onions.
- Serve hot with noodles and air fryer roasted broccoli and bean sprouts.
Notes
Top tips
- Always reheat your leftovers.
- Always preheat your air fryer.
FAQs
Tofu has no cholestrol and little calories. As long as you stick to healthy cooking, it will not make you fat.
Soy doesn't affect people with normal thyroid. However, those with underactive thyroid must watch their consumption.
Please share your inputs..