Pressing tofu is key for crispiness — drier tofu browns better.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook tofu in batches if needed.
For gluten-free: use tamari and check chili sauce labels.
For best leftovers: store tofu separately and re-crisp in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–4 minutes.
Crispy Tofu Stir Fry
Crispy air-fried tofu tossed with broccoli, celery, and onion in a glossy stir fry sauce, finished with a spicy soy drizzle and sesame seeds.
Servings: 4 people
Cost: 10
Ingredients
Crispy Tofu
- 14 oz extra-firm tofu pressed and cubed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger or ½ teaspoon ground
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Cooking spray or 1–2 teaspoons neutral oil for air fryer crisping
Veggies
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil avocado/vegetable
- 1 onion thinly sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
Stir Fry Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 –2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar use maple for vegan
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Spicy Soy Sauce (to finish/drizzle)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 –2 teaspoons sriracha or chili garlic sauce to taste
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar optional, for brightness
Finish
- Sesame seeds
- Optional: sliced green onions
Instructions
- Press and cube tofu. Press tofu 10–15 minutes, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Marinate tofu. Toss tofu with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Let sit 10–15 minutes while you prep everything else.
- Coat tofu. Sprinkle cornstarch over tofu and toss until lightly coated.
- Air fry tofu. Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray basket and tofu with cooking spray (or drizzle with a little oil). Air fry 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.
- Make sauces. Whisk stir fry sauce ingredients until smooth. Stir together spicy soy sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Stir fry veggies. Heat 1 tablespoon neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, broccoli, and celery and cook 4–6 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Add stir fry sauce. Pour in stir fry sauce and cook 1–2 minutes, tossing until glossy and thickened.
- Finish. Add crispy tofu (fold in gently or serve on top to keep it crisp). Drizzle with spicy soy sauce to taste. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1918mg | Potassium: 467mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 374IU | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 2mg
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