These Crispy Air Fried Tofu Bowls are such a great lunch option! Super healthy, packed with veggies and protein, and very customizable - it makes a wonderful recipe to meal prep ahead of time, then assemble when you're ready to grub.
These crispy tofu power bowls are everything you need in a healthy meal option! We're going to take extra-firm tofu, season it, cube it up and air fry it. The bowls can be customized to your preference; but to make it balanced, try and add a grain, tons of veggies, and healthy fats.
The Coined Breakdown
- Total Cost per serving: $2.44
- Total Cost (about 6 servings): $14.63
- Those Other Guys: $15.99 per serving
Ingredients
- Extra-Firm Tofu - There's tons of different types of tofu available in the grocery store, and they all have their purpose. For this recipe, we want to make crispy tofu squares; so you'll need the extra-firm variety.
- Cornstarch - A little bit of cornstarch really helps the tofu get a super crispy outside (without drying out the inside) especially since we're not deep frying them in oil. Don't skip this ingredient!
- Seasonings - A nice blend of all purpose seasoning, garlic powder, and chili powder will add flavor from the inside out.
Variations and Substitutions
Sauces: Drizzle some Homemade Bang Bang Sauce or Garlic Soy Sauce. The sweet and spicy combination is a great addition to crispy tofu.
Veggies: The recipe below uses roasted broccoli and roasted red peppers. However, you could also try Chili-Lime Mukimame or Roasted Balsamic Brussels in the bowl.
How to Make Crispy Tofu in the Air Fryer
Let me give you the best tips on how to get crispy tofu using an air fryer.
But first - why the air fryer?
Air fried tofu has less calories because you aren't pan frying it in oil. Cooking tofu in the air fryer also makes your meal mostly hands-off - no need to stand over a pan and flip the tofu cubes for even browning!
- First, start with extra-firm tofu. Tofu comes naturally packed in water, so moving on to Step 2...
- Draining! You want to drain the tofu as much as possible before we cook it. I've found the best way is to drain on a few paper towels in the blocks that it comes in, then cube the tofu and drain once more.
- By now, you have cubed and drained tofu. Season with some all-purpose seasoning, garlic powder, and chili powder, then gently toss the cubes in a bowl large enough to cover every side.
- Take your cornstarch and cover the tofu the same way - by tossing in the bowl. Now, we're ready to air fry!
- Set your air fryer to 400°F. Add the tofu to your basket, being sure not to overcrowd, and add just a couple sprays of non-stick cooking spray.
- Cook for 20 minutes, stopping halfway to shake the basket and ensure that each side gets crispy. That's it!
Recipe Pro Tip
- Start with room temperature ingredients. Ensuring your ground beef and egg are room temperature instead of cold and straight from the fridge helps everything combine easier for a better blend. Same for your roasted shallots - let those come to room temperature instead of adding while hot!
Recipe FAQs
Yep! Take a large skillet or wok, then add enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Add the tofu cubes in (be sure not to overcrowd) and fry on medium-high heat for 25 minutes or so, being sure to occasionally flip the cubes so they brown on each side.
Yes, this is a great way to make a lot of crispy tofu at once. I included instructions in the recipe card below for baking.
Yes, these bowls are super customizable. Try using quinoa, brown rice, or salad greens as a base. Substitute the veggies out for asparagus, brussel sprouts, or cauliflower. And for healthy fats, try a homemade vinaigrette or avocado. Add your favorite sauce on top as well!
Other Great Vegetarian Dishes You'll Love!
If you tried this Crispy Air Fried Tofu Bowls Recipe, or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Thanks for visiting!
Crispy Air Fried Tofu Bowls
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Tongs
- Air Fryer
- Aluminum Foil
- Sheet Pan
- Cooking Spray
Ingredients
Crispy Air-Fried Tofu
- 30 ounces extra firm tofu
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose seasoning
- ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons corn starch
Bowl Preparation
- 2 count red bell peppers
- 2 cups broccoli crowns
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups cooked jasmine rice
Instructions
Crispy Air-Fried Tofu
- Drain the tofu with paper towels until you have removed the excess water.Slice into equal-sized cubes and add to a large bowl.30 ounces extra firm tofu
- Season the tofu with garlic powder, all-purpose seasoning, and chili powder. Cover the bowl with a lid and toss gently.½ tablespoon garlic powder, ½ tablespoon all-purpose seasoning, ½ tablespoon chili powder
- Pour in the cornstarch and toss gently once more until all tofu pieces are completely covered.1 ½ tablespoons corn starch
- Add to your air fryer basket (be sure not to overcrowd) and spray with a bit of non-stick cooking oil.
- Cook at 400°F for 20 minutes, stirring the basket halfway through and spraying a little more cooking spray.Prefer to bake these? See instructions in the recipe notes below.
Roasted Veggies
- While the tofu is air frying, remove the core and seeds from the red bell peppers. Slice into strips and add to a foil-lined baking sheet.2 count red bell peppers
- Place the broccoli crowns on the baking sheet as well. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt + pepper, and roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes or until the veggies begin to char.2 cups broccoli crowns, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Assemble the bowls with cooked rice, roasted veggies, and crispy tofu. Serve with your favorite sauces like sriracha, garlic soy sauce, or yum-yum sauce. Enjoy!3 cups cooked jasmine rice
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think!