Air-Fried Tofu

Fried tofu is delicious and the basis for a lot of recipes, but it can be a pain in the ass. If the tofu isn't firm enough, you have to press out the water, cut it, batter it, and then fry it. This is my quick, easier substitute. It's also much healthier, because there's nowhere near as much oil involved.

An 80/20 recipe with one catch: you need an air fryer.

Start with a high-protein, super-firm block. Wildwood or the Trader Joe's brand both work well, and neither one needs pressing.

For example, I use it for the cooked tofu in General Tso's Tofu Stir-Fry.

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.

Slice the 16 oz of super-firm, high-protein tofu: six slices along the length, then five rows across the other way, then cut into three from top to bottom. You want bite-size pieces.

Put the pieces in a bowl with the 2 tbsp potato starch, 0.5 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Cover the bowl and shake it until everything is evenly coated.

Air fry for about 8 minutes for something lighter, or 10 minutes if you want it crispier. Stop partway through and give the basket a good shake to break the pieces apart — otherwise the potato starch sticks everything together.

Introduction

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions