Crisped Marinated Tofu, Air Fryer

also called air fryer tofu · crispy air fryer tofu · basket tofu · marinated tofu in the air fryer

Also written for the plain way (3 to wash).

The table

Written for a preheated 5.7 L basket. From cold, add three minutes. A 3.5 L basket is two batches, not more minutes.
14 oz(400 g)extra-firm tofupat hard, cube, and stand 10 min in the bowldust with cornflour in the same bowlroast in the basket 200°C (400°F), 15–18 min, one layertoss the basket at halfway — corners deep gold and no longer softtoss hot in the same bowl
2 Tbssoy sauce
2 tsptoasted sesame oil
1 Tbsrice vinegar
2 tspmaple syrup
1 Tbs(cornstarch)cornflour
1 Tbssesame seeds
2(sliced thin)scallions
The plain file presses 30 min under a weight; blotted hard, the basket's draught does that drying as it cooks.
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.11 things to get out.

Pans and tools

Before anything else

2pat hard, cube, and stand 10 min in the bowl

3dust with cornflour in the same bowl

goes in with what step 2 made

6toss hot in the same bowl

goes in with what step 5 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 27 min3 of 5 steps give no time
Needs you
none given
If you get it wrong
Forgiving — a cube that is not crisp yet goes back for three minutes, and tofu that sat five minutes too long is still dinner
What you'll wash
Two things — the basket, the bowl
Does it keep
2 days — it goes chewy rather than crisp, which is fine in a bowl; the basket brings some edge back

  1. pat hard, cube, and stand 10 min in the bowl

    10 minwalk awayfrom the start

  2. dust with cornflour in the same bowl

    not timed10 min in

  3. roast in the basket 200°C (400°F), 15–18 min, one layer

    17 minwalk away10 min in

  4. toss the basket at halfway — corners deep gold and no longer soft

    not timed27 min in

  5. toss hot in the same bowl

    not timed27 min in

You'll need air fryer basket · bowl

See how it is written
>> title: Crisped Marinated Tofu, Air Fryer
>> category: Fried & Crispy
>> tags: tofu, air fryer, basket, vegan, soy, bowl
>> counters: The Air Fryer & the Pot
>> dish: crisped-marinated-tofu
>> kit: Air Fryer
>> aka: air fryer tofu, crispy air fryer tofu, basket tofu, marinated tofu in the air fryer
>> servings: 4
>> time: 40 min
>> slack: forgiving — a cube that is not crisp yet goes back for three minutes, and tofu that sat five minutes too long is still dinner
>> washing-up: the basket, the bowl
>> capacity: 4 — one 5.7 L air fryer basket, roast, air fry
>> keeps: 2 days — it goes chewy rather than crisp, which is fine in a bowl; the basket brings some edge back

>> step: Written for a preheated 5.7 L basket. From cold, add three minutes. A 3.5 L basket is two batches, not more minutes.
One bowl does the marinade and the cornflour. A second one makes three things.

>> step: pat hard, cube, and stand 10 min in the bowl
Pat @extra-firm tofu{14%oz}(400 g) dry, cut in 3/4-in cubes and ~stand{10%min} in a #bowl{} with @soy sauce{2%Tbs}, @toasted sesame oil{2%tsp}, @rice vinegar{1%Tbs}, @maple syrup{2%tsp}.

>> step: dust with cornflour in the same bowl
Dust @&(~1)marinated tofu{} with @cornflour{1%Tbs}(cornstarch) and turn it over until every face is dry to the touch.

>> step: roast in the basket 200°C (400°F), 15–18 min, one layer
Roast @&(~1)dusted tofu{} in a preheated #air fryer basket{} at 200°C (400°F) for ~air fry{17%min}, one layer.

>> step: toss the basket at halfway — corners deep gold and no longer soft
Toss @&(~1)tofu{} by shaking the basket once.

>> step: toss hot in the same bowl
Toss @&(~1)crisped tofu{} with @sesame seeds{1%Tbs}, @scallions{2}(sliced thin).

>> step: The plain file presses 30 min under a weight; blotted hard, the basket's draught does that drying as it cooks.
No press. A skillet cannot make that trade and a basket can.