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Air Fryer Tofu With Chili Peanut Sauce

Air fryer tofu with chili peanut sauce
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
20 min
Yields
4 servings

Making tofu in an air fryer is not only quick but also delicious. In this air fryer tofu with chili peanut sauce, we tear the tofu into pieces instead of slicing it, which creates craggy edges that get extra-crisp once cooked and provide plenty of surface area for the addictive chili peanut sauce to cling to.

Whether you serve this tofu alongside rice and plenty of lime wedges or use it as the protein for a salad or grain bowl, it will surely impress.

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ingredients

Tofu

400g
block extra-firm tofu, drained
¼
cup corn starch
¼
tsp salt

Chili-Peanut Sauce

2 ½
Tbsp chili crisp, such as Lao Gan Ma Spicy Chili Crisp
2
Tbsp natural peanut butter
1
Tbsp soy sauce
1
Tbsp lime juice
1
tsp honey
1
Tbsp water

Assembly

2
green onions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced
1
tsp sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
2
Tbsp chopped peanuts, for garnish, optional
Lime wedges, for serving
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directions

Notes

If you don’t have an air fryer, you can cook the tofu on a cooling rack set over a sheet pan in the oven at 425℉ for 20 minutes.

air fryer tofu prep
Step 1

For the tofu, wrap the drained block of tofu in a tea towel or paper towel and place a heavy object, such as a cast iron pan, on top to remove moisture. Allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

Tofu block on a towel
Step 2

For the chili peanut sauce, whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined and set aside. The sauce may thicken as it sits — whisk in one more tablespoon of water to loosen, if needed.

Mixed chili peanut sauce in a bowl
Step 3

Remove the tofu from the towel and tear it into bite-sized pieces. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with cornstarch and salt until well coated. 

Tofu coated in corn starch in a bowl
Step 4

Preheat the air fryer to 400℉. Arrange tofu in an even layer in air fryer basket or rack, leaving space between pieces of tofu. Air fry until the tofu is golden and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes.

Cooked tofu on a rack
Step 5

Transfer tofu to a medium bowl and drizzle with chili peanut sauce, tossing to coat. Stir in chopped green onion and cilantro. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and sesame seeds, if using. Serve with lime wedges.

Air fryer tofu on a plate with lime wedges

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