Tofu manchurian (Air fry / bake)

Tofu manchurian is a great companion for hakka noodles or fried rice. Perfect for vegans or those who want to avoid paneer, or chicken.It also has no fat and half the calories. I must admit, I never liked tofu recipes  much. Always would wonder, how people eat it so much. However, a visit to a vegan Asian restaurant Huong Viet changed everything for me.It made me fall in love with Vietnamese cuisine all over again. Now, I love making  Vietnamese salad, noodle soup as per the weather.

It has a peculiar taste and texture. Soft, firm, extra firm.It took me a while to understand which one I can eat. Someone who has not eaten it earlier, needs sometime to get used to it. I like the firm or extra firm one which can be fried like halloumi and Indian cottage cheese or paneer cubes. When you bake it or air fry it, the texture looks no different to its vegetarian options. In fact, when you put it in gravy, you will not know if its tofu or paneer. These days I ditch making my paneer and reach out to tofu chilli  instead. Saves time and effort both!

Jump to:

• Equipment
• Ingredients
• How to make tofu manchurian in air fryer?
• How to make it in oven?
• How to make manchurian gravy?
• Tofu manchurian Recipe
• Variations
• Storage
• Need more Indo Chinese recipes?

Equipment

- wok
- air fryer or oven

Ingredients

Tofu cubes
- extra firm tofu
- corn flour/tapioca starch/arrowroot
- oil
- salt optional if soy sauce is already too salty.
- soya sauce
Sauce mix
- tomato sauce
- hot chilli sauce adjust as per your taste
- sweet & sour sauce optional
- soy sauce adjust as per your taste
vegetable mix
- sesame oil or any vegetable oil
- sliced ginger
- sliced garlic
- Onion finely  chopped
- Green bell peppers chopped
- Red bell peppers chopped
- Salt as per taste (Adjust as per salt in Soy sauce)
- black pepper powder

How to make tofu manchurian in air fryer?

Use the below steps to prepare pieces in air fryer.

• Cut the Tofu in cubes. Add tapioca starch/corn flour, salt, soy sauce and Oil.

• Place the pieces in the air fryer basket. You may use the steamer sheets or baking sheets with holes. 

• Cook in air fryer at 190 deg C for 15 minutes. Stir the pieces in the basket once between those 15 minutes.

Keep it aside and add to wok once gravy is ready.

How to make it in oven?

Use the below steps to prepare pieces in fan forced oven.

• After tossing the tofu pieces in the starch mix, spread them on a tray lined with baking sheet

• Bake in an oven at 190 deg C(fan forced) for 20 minutes.

How to make manchurian gravy?

Steps for manchurian gravy are common whether you fry the pieces, bake in an oven or air fry pieces.

• Heat oil in a wok, add ginger, garlic and chilli. Add onion, cook on medium flame for few minutes. Now, add rest of veggies.
• Add the sauces with salt and pepper and let it cook for few minutes.
• If you prefer a thin gravy , then this is the time to add 2 teaspoon corn flour/tapioca starch mixed with 1 cup water and let it boil.

• Add the cubes to the gravy. Toss them well.

• Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped spring onion greens.

 

Variations

The spice is as per your taste, hence please adjust the chilli sauce, soy sauce and red chili powder accordingly. You can use air fried baked tofu or fried tofu as per your choice in the above recipe.

Storage

You can air fry pieces and keep it in refrigerator for 2-3 days. Add it to fresh gravy for a great dish.

Need more Indo Chinese recipes?

Chilli paneer

Veg Manchurian

Gobi Manchurian

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