Description
Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu is a modern twist on the classic Japanese dish, featuring crispy golden tofu cubes air fried to perfection and served with a savory soy-based sauce. This recipe uses an air fryer to achieve a delightful crispiness without deep frying, making it a lighter yet flavorful appetizer or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu and Coating
- 1 block firm tofu
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for brushing)
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
Garnishes
- Chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Bonito flakes (for garnish, optional)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Press the tofu: Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top for about 15 minutes to remove excess moisture. This helps the tofu crisp up better during cooking.
- Cut tofu cubes: After pressing, cut the tofu into bite-sized 1-inch cubes, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Prepare coating: In a shallow bowl, mix together the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each tofu cube in this mixture, coating all sides thoroughly to help achieve a crispy texture.
- Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly brush the air fryer basket with vegetable oil or spray with a non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Air fry the tofu: Arrange the coated tofu cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking or turning the basket halfway through to ensure even browning and crispiness.
- Make the sauce: While the tofu cooks, combine soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat.
- Assemble and garnish: Transfer the crispy tofu to a serving dish, pour the prepared sauce evenly over it, and garnish with chopped green onions, bonito flakes, and sesame seeds as desired.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve immediately while still hot and crispy for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is essential for removing moisture and helps the coating stick better, resulting in a crispier finish.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce and cornstarch instead of all-purpose flour.
- Bonito flakes are optional and provide an authentic Japanese flavor but can be omitted for a vegetarian version.
- Adjust sauce sweetness or saltiness according to your taste preference by modifying sugar or soy sauce amounts.
