Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

Full of protein and crunchy to boot, these Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets are the perfect snack or side. Very similar to Agedashi Dofu, these restaurant-style tofu nuggets are just like what you would order in a Japanese restaurant – complete with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce!

Ingredients for Fried Tofu Nuggests

  • Firm Tofu: Use any kind of firm tofu for this recipe. Anything softer will be difficult to cut and not hold up in any kind of fryer.
  • Cornstarch: This is an optional ingredient. Lightly coating the tofu in cornstarch, along with other seasonings, will make the tofu even crispier.
  • Salt Water: Adding the tofu to salted water (1 tbsn salt for every quart of water) will not only season the tofu, but it will also help the tofu crisp up in the air fryer.
  • Seasonings: Use your favorite seasoning or seasoning blend for your fried tofu. I like using a combination of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cayenne.

How to Make Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

Start by cutting your tofu into one-inch pieces. Add the tofu to salted water and let the tofu sit in the water for five minutes to overnight. The longer the tofu marinates in the salt water, the crunchier and more seasoned it will be.

Once the tofu is finished brining, dump out the water. The tofu doesn’t have to be completely dry but you will want to drain as much water as possible.

Soak the tofu in salted water to flavor it throughout.
Soak the tofu in salted water to flavor it throughout.
Toss the tofu with cornstarch and seasonings.
Toss the tofu with cornstarch and seasonings.

Add in the cornstarch and seasonings to the tofu. Toss to combine.

Add the tofu to your air fryer. Fry for 30 minutes at 350°F. Flip the tofu half-way through cooking.

Serve the tofu with dashi or with the sauce recipe listed below.

Easy Sweet and Spicy Sauce for Tofu

These easy air fryer tofu nuggets are typically come with a dashi when served in a Japanese restaurant. While dashi is a delicious broth, I enjoy a sweet and spicy sauce to complement the crispiness of the tofu.

Dashi can be purchased at any Asian supermarket. You can also make other sauces to go with your air fryer tofu nuggets instead – check out this Ponzu sauce or Gyoza sauce for your fried tofu.

Ingredients for the Tofu Sauce

  • Sesame oil: The quintessential oil when making any Asian dish. Sesame oil can be found in any grocery store, but you can use a neutral cooking oil in a pinch.
  • Green onion: Finely chop the whites of the green onion. Use the greens of the onion as an optional garnish.
  • Thai Chili: These peppers can be hot! The deepest red chilis will be the spiciest, while green ones will be the most mild. As as much or as little chili as you would like.
  • Garlic: Mince 3 large garlic cloves. The sweet-savoryness of the garlic will enhance the flavors of both the soy sauce and oyster sauce.
  • Oyster Sauce: Both sweeter and more umami than soy sauce, you just need a little bit of oyster sauce to round out a dish.
  • Sugar: Adding sugar to the dipping sauce will balance the flavors of spicy and umami.
  • Soy Sauce: Almost no dish or drip is complete in the Asian community without soy sauce! Using soy sauce is a great way to add salt and a complex umami flavor with one simple ingredient.

How to Make Sweet and Savory Tofu Sauce

First, heat your sesame oil in a small pot on the stove. The oil will be hot enough once the oil begins to smoke.

While you’re waiting for your oil to come to temperature, chop your aromatic ingredients finely. The garlic, green onion and Thai chili should all be roughly the same size. Place the ingredients in a medium-small heat proof bowl or dish. I used a room temperature Pyrex dish.

Pour the oil over the onion, chili and garlic. Give it a quick mix. Then add in the soy sauce, oyster sauce and sugar. Mix well.

Top your sweet and savory sauce for tofu with the greens of the onion or even some chopped cilantro.

Common Questions about Frying Tofu

Do I need to dry the tofu before frying?

Contrary to popular belief, you actually do not have to dry the tofu before frying it. Since you will be adding cornstarch and other seasonings to the tofu, having a little water in it will create a smooth batter that will coat the tofu and crisp up nicely.

Can I pan fry instead of air frying?

You can also choose to pan fry the tofu instead of using an air fryer. Use a neutral oil, such as a canola cooking oil. Make sure you have about an eighth to a fourth of an inch of oil in the pan before frying. Allow the oil to get hot, to the point of smoking, before adding in the tofu.

More Recipes to Check out

Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Sarah Course: Appetizers, Easy Recipes, Entrees, Quick u0026amp; Easy, Side Dishes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal

Ingredients

  • Air Fryer Tofu
  • 1 block 1 firm tofu

  • 1 tsp. 1 cornstarch

  • 1 tsp 1 salt

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 onion powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 cayenne

  • Sauce for Tofu
  • 2 tbsn 2 sesame oil

  • 1 1 green onion, finely diced

  • 2 tbsn 2 oyster sauce

  • 3 cloves 3 minced garlic

  • 2 2 Thai peppers, finely chopped

  • 1 tbsn 1 sugar

  • 2 tbsn 2 soy sauce

Directions

  • Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets
  • Cut the tofu into one-inch blocks and soak in salt water. Allow tofu to soak in salt water for five minutes to overnight.
  • Drain the tofu from the water. Add in the cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne. Toss to coat.
  • Add the tofu to the air fryer and fry for 30 minutes at 350°F. Flipping half way through.
  • Serve your tofu nuggets with a dipping sauce.
  • Easy Sauce for Tofu
  • Add the minced garlic, sliced Thai pepper, finely chopped green onion to a heat-safe bowl.
  • Heat the sesame oil until smoking and then pour the oil over the ingredients. It should bubble when poured in – it will be hot!
  • Stir in the sugar, soy sauce and oyster sauce.

3 Comments

  1. Very well presented. Every quote was awesome and thanks for sharing the content. Keep sharing and keep motivating others.

  2. This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at one place

  3. This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!

Leave a Reply