Tiffany Haney
Tofu is a tricky ingredient to work with. On its own, it can be tasteless and spongy, but marinated tofu is a very different story. When cooked and marinated properly, tofu is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with flavour. One of the best ways to cook tofu is in an air fryer, which swirls hot air around the food to create a crispy texture. This method is healthier than deep-frying as it uses very little oil, reducing the amount of saturated fat and calories. You can marinate tofu in a variety of sauces and spices, from soy sauce and sesame oil to lemon juice and oregano, and even curry powder. Once marinated, you can toss the tofu in cornstarch to make it extra crispy, then place it in the air fryer for around 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it.
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What You'll Learn
Marinade ingredients and preparation
Tofu is a tricky ingredient to work with. On its own, it can be quite tasteless and spongy, but when marinated and cooked properly, it transforms into something crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and bursting with flavour.
The first step to achieving this is to press the tofu to drain out the excess liquid. You can do this by placing the tofu on a cutting board and laying paper towels or a clean towel on top, or by placing it between your hands to extract the fluids. For an even more hands-off approach, place the tofu on a cutting board, top it with a plate, and then place a heavy object like a book or a pot on top of the plate to press the tofu.
Next, cut the tofu into cubes. The size of the cubes is up to you, but for reference, one source suggests cutting the tofu block so that the longer edge is towards you, then cutting it into four strips. Rotate the strips so that the wider sides are flat against the cutting board, and cut them in half again so that you have eight strips total. Finally, cut the strips crosswise into 1-inch cubes.
Now it's time to make the marinade. You can get creative with the ingredients, but here are some common options:
- Soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil or olive oil
- Cornstarch (for extra crispiness)
- Maple syrup or honey
- Spices such as garlic powder, ginger, and curry powder
- Lemon juice and oregano
Simply whisk all your chosen ingredients together in a bowl, then add the cubed tofu to the bowl and toss it in the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and leave it to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight if you're preparing the tofu ahead of time.
Once the tofu has finished marinating, it's ready to be cooked in the air fryer!
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Air fryer temperature and duration
The temperature and duration of the air-frying process depend on the type of tofu and the desired level of crispiness. It is recommended to use extra-firm or super-firm tofu to ensure it doesn't fall apart when marinated or cooked.
Before air-frying, it is crucial to press the tofu to remove excess moisture, which can affect the crispiness of the final product. This can be done by placing the tofu between paper towels or clean towels and setting a heavy weight on top to help extract the moisture.
Once the tofu is prepared and marinated, the air fryer should be preheated. Different recipes suggest preheating temperatures ranging from 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to note that the temperature may need to be adjusted based on the specific air fryer model and the desired level of crispiness.
After preheating, the tofu can be placed in the air fryer, ensuring that the pieces are in a single layer for even cooking. The cooking time can vary from 9 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispiness and the specific air fryer model. It is recommended to shake or toss the tofu halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
For gluten-free options, tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos can be used instead of soy sauce in the marinade. Additionally, olive oil or vegetable oil can be used in place of sesame oil, although the nutty, umami-like flavor of sesame oil enhances the taste.
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Tofu texture and consistency
Tofu is a tricky ingredient to work with. On its own, it can be tasteless and spongy. However, when marinated and cooked properly, tofu can be crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a delectable texture and consistency.
To achieve the perfect tofu texture, it is essential to start with extra-firm tofu. This variety contains less water, which helps it hold its shape during cooking. Before marinating, it is crucial to press the tofu to remove excess moisture. This can be done by placing a heavy pan or weight on top of the tofu block, or by squeezing the tofu gently with your hands. Removing the moisture prevents the tofu from becoming soggy and ensures it gets crispy when cooked.
The tofu can then be cut into cubes, triangles, or strips, depending on the desired shape for your dish. It is important to cut the tofu into evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking.
After cutting, the tofu should be placed in a marinade. A good marinade will infuse the tofu with flavour. Common ingredients in tofu marinades include soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, garlic, ginger, maple syrup, and spices. The tofu should be tossed or dredged in the marinade to ensure an even coating. It can then be left to marinate for as little as 5 minutes or as long as 24 hours, depending on how much time you have and how intense you want the flavour to be.
For an even crispier tofu texture, some recipes suggest sprinkling cornstarch over the tofu before cooking. Cornstarch helps to create an ultra-crisp and light coating on the tofu. However, it is not mandatory, and some recipes achieve crispy tofu without it by drying the tofu well before marinating.
Finally, when cooking the tofu in the air fryer, it is important to place the tofu in a single layer to allow hot air to flow evenly around each piece. The air fryer temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the recipe and desired crispiness, but generally, tofu cooks in an air fryer between 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-20 minutes.
With these tips, you can achieve a tofu texture and consistency that is crispy, crunchy, and flavourful on the outside, while remaining soft and tender on the inside.
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Marinade time
The amount of time you marinade tofu for will depend on the recipe you are following. Some recipes suggest leaving tofu to marinade overnight, or for a few hours, whereas others suggest a minimum of 20 minutes. One recipe suggests marinating for 15 minutes, and another suggests 10 minutes is enough.
It is worth noting that tofu is a sponge-like food, so it will absorb the flavours of your marinade. Freezing tofu before cooking is a good way to improve its texture and allow it to soak up even more flavour.
It is also important to drain tofu before marinating it, as this will make it more susceptible to taking on flavour. Pressing tofu before cooking will also help to remove excess moisture, which would otherwise make the tofu soggy.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve marinated tofu cooked in an air fryer. Here are some serving suggestions:
Salads
Air fryer tofu can be served on a variety of salads, including a vegetarian Caesar salad, a ramen salad, or a salad with dipping sauces like Romesco sauce or Tzatziki.
Rice Bowls
You can serve tofu over rice with sliced scallions and sesame seeds sprinkled on top. Kimchi fried rice is another option.
Stir-Fries
Air fryer tofu can be a great addition to stir-fries, including those with noodles like ramen.
Dipping Sauces
Tofu cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sriracha mayo, Thai peanut sauce, BBQ sauce, or a sauce made from equal parts ketchup and gochujang.
Other Suggestions
Air fryer tofu can also be served with roasted vegetables and brown rice or quinoa. It can be a tasty addition to curries, or enjoyed as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
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Frequently asked questions
Marinate the tofu for at least 15 minutes, or longer if desired. You can leave it overnight in the refrigerator.
You can use a simple combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. You can also add ingredients like cornstarch, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, and oregano.
It is recommended to use extra-firm or super-firm tofu as it contains less water and will hold its shape better during cooking.
