Crispy Tofu with Peanut (Printer-friendly)
Golden tofu cubes cooked to perfection in the air fryer, paired with a creamy, savory Asian-inspired peanut sauce.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Tofu
01 - 14 oz extra firm tofu
02 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil or neutral oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
→ Peanut Sauce
07 - 4 tbsp creamy peanut butter
08 - 2 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
09 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
10 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
11 - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 2-3 tbsp warm water (to thin sauce as needed)
→ Garnishes
14 - 1 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts (optional)
15 - 2 tbsp sliced scallions (optional)
16 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
17 - 1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Remove tofu from packaging, drain, and wrap in a clean kitchen towel. Place a weight on top and press for at least 10 minutes to remove excess liquid.
02 - Cut tofu into 3/4-inch cubes.
03 - In a bowl, gently toss tofu cubes with cornstarch, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
04 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
05 - Arrange tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
06 - While tofu cooks, in a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Add warm water gradually until a smooth, pourable consistency is achieved.
07 - Transfer crispy tofu to a serving plate. Drizzle with peanut sauce or serve sauce on the side for dipping.
08 - Garnish with chopped peanuts, scallions, cilantro, and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The air fryer creates that magical crispy crust without all the oil splatter and cleanup of traditional frying methods.
- That peanut sauce has converted even my most tofu-suspicious friends into believers asking for seconds.
02 -
- The tofu absolutely must be patted dry after pressing, or the cornstarch will turn gummy rather than crispy.
- If your peanut sauce thickens while standing, just add a splash more warm water and whisk it will come right back to life.
03 -
- If you dont have time to press tofu, buy the vacuum-packed extra firm variety which comes pre-pressed and saves precious minutes.
- The cornstarch should be tossed with the tofu just before air frying if it sits too long, the coating can become damp and wont crisp up properly.