Air fryer teriyaki tofu is so delicious and protein packed, that my whole family enjoy it on those meatless Mondays. Tofu is air fried til crispy and then tossed in a homemade teriyaki sauce for one delicious bite. Simple and easy to make and loaded with tasty flavors, for me, this vegan recipe is a keeper!
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Give it a try if you don’t like tofu, I can challenge you that my Air Fryer tofu recipe will make you fall in love with it. Made with just a few ingredients, coated in sweet and sticky sauce, this vegetarian recipe is so simple to make, and I guarantee even the tofu haters will love it!
If you are looking for a break from usual Teriyaki Chicken then this air fryer teriyaki tofu hits all the right notes! Enjoy this on your meatless Mondays.
Air Fryer Tofu With Teriyaki Sauce
Tofu is a great protein source for vegetarians and vegans, low in calories but rich in nutrients. Made with bean curd, this is a staple is Chineses, Japanese, Korean and Thai dishes. It is known for its ability to absorb any flavor it is cooked in.
In my recipe, I’m using homemade teriyaki sauce to toss tofu bites. Since I use air fryer, it’s a much healthier option compared to deep frying but just as tasty! Plus, the homemade teriyaki sauce contains less salt and sugar than store bought.
You will love how that brown sugar in teriyaki sauce caramelizes while cooking and gives the perfect umami sweetness along with soy sauce. I have used the same sauce in Crockpot Teriyaki Meatballs and Teriyaki Chicken Sub Sandwich recipes. I have even made a soup with tofu, do check it out- Vegetarian Ramen with Tofu.
No air fryer, no problem! You can also make this in oven by baking tofu cubes at 400F for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Rest of the recipe remain same.
Ingredients
- Tofu: For air frying, a firm or extra firm tofu is best because it will hold up well as it’s dipped in cornstarch and later when it’s sauced. I do not recommend using silken, soft, or medium tofu for this recipe, as these will fall apart and won’t get crispy.
- Soy Sauce: To get that umami flavors, you need soy sauce. tamari or liquid aminos are other gluten-free alternatives.
- Brown Sugar: I always use brown sugar to create that caramelized, sweet flavor. Don’t skip it.
- Cornstarch: It is very much needed ingredient in almost every tofu recipes. It coats well and helps in making that crusty crispy texture. Plus it helps in thickening the teriyaki sauce.
Do I have to press tofu before air frying?
Yes, to get nice crispy tofu with a firm texture, it’s important to press it before dredging and cooking it. Use a tofu press if you have one. Otherwise, wrap the tofu block in paper towels and weight it down with a chopping board topped with some heavy books. Allow at least 30 minutes to press the tofu. This removes excess moisture resulting in the best flavor and texture.
Tips For Success
- To make this a full meal, remove the tofu from the air fryer and add 2 cups of broccoli florets. Cook for 4-5 minutes at 400°F and then serve with the sauced tofu.
- Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove the excess water.
- Once cooked, allow the tofu to cool for a few minutes before tossing in the sauce. This will help it to maintain crispiness.
- To make gluten-free teriyaki tofu, swap soy sauce with tamari or liquid aminos.
How to Store and Reheat
Store any leftover teriyaki tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The tofu can be reheated at 375°F for 5 minutes in the air fryer to get it nice and crispy again.
Freeze leftover tofu in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow the tofu to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
It is also a great make ahead tofu recipe where you can freeze the crispy tofu cubes and refrigerate the sauce. Combine them just before serving a weeknight meal.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve it BEST when tofu is just tossed in the sauce, so it’s nice and crispy. Serve it with air fried broccoli and rice to a complete Air Fryer family dinner. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and/or a splash of sriracha!
To add some carbs have Basmati rice or Cilantro Lime rice for extra flavors. You can pair it with Cauliflower rice as well for making it a low carb and low calorie meal. To make fiber-rich meal add some Stir Fried Vegetables, and Quinoa Salad.
5-Star Review
“I made this last night and it was the moistest chicken we’ve ever had. A bit of crispy and the flavor was wonderful. I didn’t have buttermilk and did add lemon juice to 1% milk. I am making it again today. Thank you for this recipe.” – Dawn
Air Fryer Teriyaki Tofu Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer (click for my favorite)
Ingredients
For the Tofu
- 1 pound firm tofu cut into 1-inch cubes
- ¾ cup cornstarch
For the Sauce
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For Serving
- Cooked white rice
- Sesame seeds
- Green onion
- Sriracha optional
Instructions
For the Tofu
- Wrap the tofu block in paper towels and press it for 30 minutes to remove any extra liquid.1 pound firm tofu
- Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Dip the tofu cubes into the cornstarch, making sure they are evenly coated on all sides.¾ cup cornstarch
- Spray the air fryer insert with nonstick spray and add the tofu, making sure to not overcrowd the basket.
- Set the air fryer to 375°F and cook for 15-18 minutes, turning half way through cooking.
- Allow the tofu to cool for 3-4 minutes before you sauce them to maintain crispness.
For the Sauce
- In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, whisk all of the sauce ingredients together.½ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the sauce until it has thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and allow the it to cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Pour the sauce over the tofu and toss to combine. Serve over rice, if desired. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion (and a squeeze of sriracha if you like it spicy)!Cooked white rice, Sesame seeds, Green onion, Sriracha
Becky’s Tips
- It is important to press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove the excess water.
- Allow the tofu to cool for a few minutes before tossing in the sauce. This will help it to maintain crispiness.
- To make gluten-free teriyaki tofu, swap soy sauce with tamari or liquid aminos.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Teriyaki Tofu in an Air Fryer
Press and cut the tofu: Unwrap the 1 pound of firm tofu block, wrap in paper towel and press it for 30 minutes. This will remove any excess water content.
After 30 minutes cut it into 1-inch cubes. Pat them dry one last time. Removing any water helps in coating them well plus resulting in crisp texture. Don’t skip it!
Dust with cornstarch: Place ¾ cup of cornstarch in a glass bowl, and coat each tofu cube evenly with cornstarch.
Air fry the Tofu: First spray the non stick cooking oil in the air fryer basket and carefully add all the coated cubes. Don’t over crowd the basket.
Air fry them at 375°F 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn them half way through cooking.
Once tofu is done, let them sit for few minutes to maintain the crispness of tofu bites.
Prepare teriyaki sauce: Set a medium saucepan over medium heat, add ½ cup of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger grated, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Whisk everything together.
Bring this mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low-medium and simmer til it thickens. It takes around 5 minutes.
Once sauce thickens, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly for about another 5 minutes.
Combine tofu and sauce: Finally, pour the teriyaki sauce over the tofu and toss to combine.
Serve over rice along with air fry broccoli. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion (and a squeeze of sriracha if you like it spicy)!
If you don’t like the texture of tofu normally, then you have to give this air fried method a go! It’s been such a popular recipe in my house!
