Hiya folks, another BRAND NEW recipe for you today, and it's one of my 9yr old grandson's favorite recipes, my Air Fried Tofu. Believe me, it took forever to find something semi-healthy to get this picky eater to try, and now that I have, I thought I'd share it with you.
My little pal has been a huge part of my life since he was born. And so it pained me greatly the day he was introduced to junk food, because all of a sudden, that's all he would eat.
We're talking boxed mac and cheese, shredded cheese, doughnuts, potato chips, pizza, hot dogs, you get the idea. Granted, that IS typical kid food, but I had HOPED....he would like some kind of healthy food too. I remember when he was a baby, he LOVED all kinds of veggies and sweet potatoes in his baby food....but once he tried junk food...it was game over.
That is until recently.
I guess hanging out at our house has finally had an effect because now he loves rice, broccoli, cauliflower, green smoothies, and of course, my Air Fried Tofu.
So I thought that if by chance YOU have a picky one in YOUR house, grandchild or not, this recipe might be something THEY will like too.
All I know is it makes me one happy papa.
My Grandson's Favorite Air Fried Tofu
The beauty of this recipe is that it's so simple. It DOES take time, but it's so easy it takes hardly any effort at all.
Start with a 10oz package of EXTRA FIRM, ORGANIC Tofu.
I say ORGANIC because most soybeans grown are GMO. So if you're trying to avoid GMO products - go for the organic. And I say EXTRA FIRM because that is honestly all I use, even for sauces.
Drain the tofu thoroughly and cut it into 2 slabs roughly the same thickness. This will make it easier to press. You can use a Tofu Press if you have one, and I think I even have one in my Amazon Store, but I just use the cutting board method.
Here is the one from my store, and it is an Affiliate Link so I will earn a few pennies if you buy one. I'll go ahead and add the air fryer links too in case you want to see which one I use (it's the TOA65).
The cutting board method is simply to wrap up your tofu slabs in a kitchen towel or paper towels, place them on a cutting board, and place another cutting board on top of them and weigh it down. Sometimes I use a cast-iron skillet, sometimes my wooden knife block, anything slightly heavy.
The longer you press your tofu, the more firm and chewier it will be. Try to go at least 15 minutes, preferably 30. I usually change out the paper towels halfway through.
While we're waiting, it's the perfect time to make the marinade. I use a 1 qt jar but you can use a ziplock or whatever. Simply add all the marinade ingredients to the jar, attach the lid, and shake to mix.
When your tofu is finished pressing, cut each slab into bite-sized cubes and add them to the jar.
Now we wait some more. Again, the longer you marinate your tofu, the more flavorful it will be. I'd go at least 15 min but preferably 30-45.
I mentioned this recipe takes some time.
Once your Tofu is marinated to your liking, drain the marinade and save it! It makes a really good sauce for dipping or pouring over your tofu.
Now we simply whisk together the ingredients for the breading and - shake & bake style, use a ziplock bag to shake the tofu and breading together to evenly coat your tofu.
Empty your tofu into your air fryer's basket and air fry at 400 deg F for 10-15 minutes, pausing to shake and toss every 5 minutes.
I listed the 2 air fryers I have used up above in the Amazon Links. I used to have to Cuisinart TOA60 but replaced it with the TOA65 digital version. Both will get the job done. Just remember to shake your basket frequently to help prevent sticking.
While your tofu is frying, you can heat the marinade in a small saucepan until it thickens. This makes a good dipping sauce or one you can pour over your tofu.
For the photo, I served mine Budha Bowl style with some rice and steamed vegetables. But my grandson likes it plain, all by itself.
I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as we do and I'll work on getting the video out for this soon.
See you next time,
My Grandson's Favorite Air Fried Tofu
- Prep Time: 60 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
- Category: Main, Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Another BRAND NEW recipe for you, and it's one of my 9yr old grandson's favorite recipes, my Air Fried Tofu. Makes me one happy papa!
Ingredients
- 10 oz block extra firm, organic tofu
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
Breading
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Drain tofu and press for at least 15-30 min
- Meanwhile, add all marinade ingredients to a quart jar or ziplock and mix.
- Slice tofu into bite-sized cubes and add to marinade.
- Marinate for 15-30 min, constantly shaking to ensure even coverage.
- Drain marinade and reserve
- Whisk breading together and add it and the tofu to a large ziplock and shake until coated
- Air fry tofu at 400 degrees F for 10-15 min, shaking the basket frequently to prevent sticking
- Heat reserved marinade in a small saucepan until thickened
Wendy
This is so good Chuck! I have no idea why I slept on it so long. It’s going to be a regular in my diet from now on!
CD
I think the basics of the recipe are spot on! I used frozen tofu that had been in my freezer for ages... and 20 min at 400F was too long in my air fryer (brand unknown), which is almost a mini oven that can handle 3 trays at a time... but the flavor is great - using them like croutons, lol!
Debra
So good!!
Char
Is there 1 TB cornstarch is the marinade plus another TB in the breading?
Donna
Love this and like the marinade you posted. Yumm!
Lisa
What kind of air fryer do you use?
Chuck Underwood
Cuisinart TOA65
Sue
So easy and good.
restaurantthatdeliversnearme.website
Great recipe.
Kim Lippy
Full disclosure...I have not made this. Just asking, would someone please post a picture of the INSIDE of this tofu after it was made?
norma
I made this and it was so delicious, I put potato startch instead of cornstartch and it turned out pretty good !! Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
Beatriz
Thank you for an awesome recipe. I just made these today and they are the best airfried tofu I have tried. I cooked them at 400 for 15 min, I served a plate of food and gobbled them up and they were so good. I airfried the rest for 5 more minutes. They were even crunchier! So, in my 2 year old airfryer I will cook them for 20 minutes.
Thank you once again! ?
Julie
Some people just like white rice. Leave it at that. The meal looks wonderful as it is.
Janet
I'm visiting my 6 year old granddaughter and 10 year old grandson. They don't have an air fryer but I'm going to make this for them when they visit me at Christmas. I just made them vegan Mac and cheese with whole wheat elbow macaroni and they said they liked it better than regular Mac and cheese. You might try this recipe for your grandson, it's easy. Fat Free Vegan easy Mac and cheese. Love your recipes!
Lana Chaffee
Sounds wonderful. I do not see the link for the air fryer & when I get one I would like for you t o get credit.
Linda
Is there a mistake in the recipe in the breading? (no bread!, just one T of cornstarch) Looks good. Looking forward to making this. Thanks.
in2insight
This looks wonderful and I love using the marinate as a sauce.
Please forgive me, but I have to say that while your recipes are fantastic, the use of white rice is a head scratcher. 🙂
Whole grain rice, and really whole grain in general, is nutritionally better based on all the data I have read.
Dianne
Unless you listen to Dr Gundry who has a video saying brown rice can cause leaky gut and there is a reason why the Japanese eat white rice. So hard to know for sure when there are varying studies.
Claudia
I have heard the same thing. An Indian doctor of Ayurveda regularly gives cooking classes at my yoga studio. He says that people in India eat only white basmati rice, because it's much easier to digest. Brown rice is just a Western thing, while Ayurveda has been around for thousands of years.
Sharon
Basmati rice is a favorite of mine as well and was recommended by some Indian friends.
Sara
Basmati rice is an excellent source of resistant starch! It is the only kind of rice that I use.
Sue Ann
Sounds great, Chuck! What temperature do you use for air frying the tofu? -- thanks!
Angie
Chuck says 400 degrees F.. it's in the recipe directions.
Kathryn Gannon
Read the recipe.
Melanie Stafford
I don't have an airfryer. Can this recipe be baked?
Carol
Yes. Put on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 for the same time. Turn over at the half way time.