Air Fryer Lemongrass Tofu

This isn’t your average air-fried tofu – nope! It’s bold, flavor-packed, and so delicious it might just convert even the biggest tofu haters. And I’m not saying this lightly.

Tofu cubes get tossed in a marinade made of chopped lemongrass, shallots, and Thai chili, bringing the perfect mix of citrusy, spicy, and savory flavors. After a quick spin in the air fryer, the tofu comes out golden brown, chewy on the inside, and loaded with crispy, caramelized bits of shallot and lemongrass. SO good!

To come up with this recipe, I took my classic lemongrass tofu and tweaked it to work in the air fryer. This means that you can whip it in a much shorter time with fewer dishes to clean!

⭐️ Why It’s Worth Trying It

Perfectly seasoned.

I’ve tested this recipe more times than I can count, tweaking the seasonings until everything hit just right. This tofu is all about balance: plenty of fresh, citrusy lemongrass, a kick of chili that brings some heat without going overboard, and just the right mix of sweet and salty to keep you coming back for more.

And the best part? All the aromatics turn into a sweet-and-salty crisp topping. Think of chili crisp but with a zesty twist!

Easy and ready in no time.

What’s great about this tofu is that it takes just 15 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes in the air fryer. You can even make it up to 3 days ahead and just air fry when you’re ready, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners!

Versatile.

You can serve this lemongrass tofu with your grain of choice or toss it into salads, incorporate it into Buddha bowls, or use it as a filling for banh mi sandwiches. It’s super versatile and works with just about anything.

📘 What Is Lemongrass Tofu

Lemongrass tofu (đậu hũ chiên sả ớt) is a classic Vietnamese dish that consists of fried tofu cooked with minced lemongrass, among other aromatics. It’s generally served as a side dish with rice or used as a filling for bánh mì.

📙 Air Frying vs. Pan Frying

In Vietnam, lemongrass tofu is traditionally prepared by deep-frying it in a large amount of oil. Then, the aromatics are sautéed for a few minutes, and the tofu is added to the skillet, soaking up all the delicious flavors.

While this method yields great results, it’s a bit more time-consuming than simply tossing tofu with a marinade and popping it into the air fryer. I have tried both methods, and honestly, the air fryer gives you about 95% of the same outcome with only half the effort.

🧅 Ingredients You Need

Tofu

Pick either firm or extra firm tofu. However, if you have the option, I highly recommend using firm tofu because it remains more tender on the inside, yielding a better texture. For information, in Vietnam, this dish is traditionally made with firm tofu.

Note: You do not need to press the tofu for this recipe – just pat it dry using kitchen paper towels.

Lemongrass

The highlight of this recipe is lemongrass, which brings a bright, zesty, and floral aroma to the tofu. Because the concept of this recipe is to get tasty tofu on the table as fast as possible, I opted for frozen chopped lemongrass. It saves the hassle of having to chop lemongrass stalks.

Where to buy: You can find chopped lemongrass in the frozen section of well-stocked Asian supermarkets or in some regular supermarkets.

Can I use fresh whole lemongrass? Yes! You can finely chop 2 lemongrass stalks. Only use the bottom third of the stalks (the white part) as it is the softest and least fibrous part.

Shallots

Substitute: You can substitute the shallot with half of a small onion. More into garlicky flavors? Use 2-3 garlic cloves!

Chili

Thai chili, also known as Bird’s eye chili, adds spiciness and a hint of sweetness.

Non-spicy option: You can simply omit the chili if you do not tolerate any spiciness.

Soy sauce

For umami and saltiness. Feel free to use tamari or coconut aminos to make this dish gluten-free. Oh, and if you want to make it even more traditional, replace the soy sauce with vegan fish sauce!

Sugar and salt

In contrast to Western cooking, sugar is frequently used as a seasoning in Asian cuisine to create a balance with saltiness. I typically use granulated white sugar, but coconut sugar, maple syrup, or light brown sugar will also work.

Oil

Last but not least: oil! Although you might find the marinade a bit oily, it’s the secret to getting rich and evenly browned tofu.

Note: You can add a hint of nuttiness by replacing half of the oil with toasted sesame oil.

🥣 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Dice the tofu. Start by rinsing the tofu under cold water and patting it dry with kitchen paper towels. No need to press it! Next, dice it into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes and set them aside.

2. Prepare the marinade. Add the oil, soy sauce, finely diced lemongrass, shallot, chili, sugar, and salt to a deep plate or baking dish. Use a spoon to combine everything.

3. Toss the tofu. Next, add the tofu to the marinade and toss to coat. I personally think it works better to use your hands to toss the tofu, but you can use a spatula or a spoon if you prefer.
4. Let marinate. Allow the tofu to marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

5. Air fry. Preheat your air fryer to 365°F (185°C) and set the cooking time to 20 minutes. Once the air fryer is preheated, add the tofu cubes to the basket. Do not hesitate to top them with 1-2 tablespoons of the leftover marinade. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping the tofu once halfway through cooking. Once the tofu is golden brown, remove it from the air fryer and enjoy!

Note: For even browning, ensure the tofu cubes do not touch each other. I suggest leaving about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) between each piece.

🍚 Serving Suggestions

Although white rice is definitely my number one choice, you can also serve this tofu with quinoa, farro, or pasta.

Oh, and it also makes an amazing salad topping/add-in! Whether you toss it into rice salad, fresh couscous salad, or something lighter like kale & carrot salad, mango salad, or Brussels sprout salad, it will add zesty flavors and boost the protein content!

💬 FAQ

I hope you will love this air-fried tofu! It’s citrusy, a bit spicy, and the sweet-and-salty balance makes it deliciously addictive!

🫛 More Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Green Beans

Marinated Air Fryer Zucchini

Air Fryer Croutons

Air Fryer Teriyaki Tofu

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