How To Make Crispy Tofu Air Fryer & Oven

Can you believe this CRISPY FRIED TOFU Air Fryer is really not DEEP fried but Air Fried?

If you've been following me for a while, you know I love using my air fryer. Crispy Fried Tofu is one of my favorites in the Air Fryer. I appreciate the benefits of air frying versus deep frying but it's the lingering smell of oil in my home that bothers me the most!

This Crispy Tofu with Garlic Sauce is one of my FAVORITE Taiwanese Street foods!

You can find fried tofu with garlic sauce at the Taiwanese night markets, and this recipe is sure to hit the spot when the craving hits. The sauce is savory, garlicky with a hint of sweetness. The sauce is quite salty to eat on its own, but it pairs perfectly with Tofu that is crispy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside!

Do I need press my tofu to make crispy tofu?

I usually use my hands to pat dry and press on the tofu gently and remove the moisture from the outside. For this recipe, I don't like to press the tofu with a heavy object on top to remove all the moisture from the inside. As long as the tofu is gently pressed and pat dry, you will end up with a crispy tofu thats moist and tender on the inside.

What kind of Tofu should I use for Fried Tofu?

I love using extra firm tofu for this recipe. Since we are tossing the tofu in corn starch, we want a firm tofu that wont crumble when we are working with it. It is firm on the outside and still soft and moist on the inside.

If you're looking for MORE Street Food Eats, check out these Recipes!

• Vietnamese Pizza
• Chicken Cracklings
• Vietnamese Crepe

Equipment

• 1 Air Fryer or
• 1 oven

Ingredients

For the Tofu

• 14 oz Extra Firm Tofu
• 2 tbsp Corn Starch
• ½ tsp Salt
• Neutral Oil Spray
• Green Onion or Cilantro (optional)

For the Garlic Sauce

• 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 tbsp Sugar
• 1.5 tbsp Vegetarian Oyster Sauce or Oyster Sauce * Use 1 tablespoon if you prefer less salty
• 1 tbsp Cooking Wine
• 1 tbsp Garlic (Minced or grated)
• ½ tbsp Sesame Oil
• 4 tbsp Water
• ½ tsp Corn Starch

Instructions

• 1. Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400 Deg F
• 2. Slice Tofu in half horizontally to make 2 thinner slabs of tofu. Press the tofu with paper towels or a kitchen towel for a few seconds, then pat dry all over.
• 3. Stack the tofu back together and make 4 vertical cuts and 3 horizontal cuts. This will yield 40 cubes of tofu.
• 4. Add the tofu to a bowl or plate and dust with the corn starch. Toss with hands or spatula to combine.

Air Fryer Instructions

• 1. Add Tofu in a single layer not touching and lightly spray with oil.
• 2. Air fry for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway
• *This recipe takes 15 minutes in my Crux Marshmallo Air Fryer. I usually cook for 10 minutes , flip and cook another 5.
• 3. Repeat with second half of Tofu
• 4. Garnish with Green onions or Cilantro (optional)

Oven Instructions

• 1. Add Tofu to a lined baking sheet in a single layer not touching and lightly spray with oil.
• 2. Cook at 400 Deg F for 25-30 minutes flipping halfway
• 3. Garnish with Green onions or Cilantro (optional)

For the Garlic Sauce

• 1. While the tofu is cooking lets make the Garlic Sauce
• 2. Combine the ingredients in a pan and simmer on medium/medium low heat for 2-3 minutes: (2 tablespoon Soy Sauce, 1 tablespoon Sugar, 1 tablespoon Cooking Wine, 1 tablespoon Garlic (Minced or grated), 1.5 tablespoon Vegetarian Oyster Sauce or Oyster Sauce)
• 3. In a bowl combine corn starch and water to make the corn starch slurry and mix well, then add into the sauce: (½ teaspoon Corn Starch, 4 tablespoon Water)
• 4. Simmer for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens back up again, and turn off the heat and mix in sesame oil.
• 5. Drizzle on tofu or serve on the side and enjoy!

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