Air Fryer Lemongrass Tofu
This air fryer lemongrass tofu is a shortcut take on the Vietnamese classic! It’s made entirely in the air fryer, takes just 20 minutes of hands-free cooking time, and is infused with zesty and spicy flavors. Pair it with fluffy white rice, quinoa, pasta, or toss it into salads!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 9 ounces (250 g) firm tofu
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil
- 1 tsp (5 ml) soy sauce
- 3 tbsp finely chopped lemongrass
- 1/2 shallot finely minced
- 1/2 Thai chili finely minced
- 1 tbsp (12 g) sugar
- 1/2 + 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Let marinate. Allow the tofu to marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- 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. Note: To ensure even browning, the tofu cubes shouldn't touch each other. I suggest leaving about 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) between each piece.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!
- You can store the tofu in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
Slice the tofu into even pieces.
The size of your tofu cubes isn't too important, as long as they aren't excessively large. What really matters is cutting them into even pieces. This way, they'll have an even texture after air frying.Do not overcrowd the basket.
For even browning, ensure that the tofu cubes do not touch or overlap each other. If you decide to double the recipe, I recommend air-frying the tofu in two separate batches for the best results.Make it ahead.
Save time and make the tofu ahead of time! It can marinate for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Then, simply cook the rice while the tofu is air frying, and you've got yourself a delicious dinner in no time!