Description
A crispy and savory Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu recipe that combines lightly fried tofu cubes coated in a seasoned flour mixture with a flavorful soy-based sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, garnished with green onions, bonito flakes, and sesame seeds for authentic Japanese taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 1 block firm tofu
Coating
- 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
Garnish
- 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 to press out excess moisture for about 15 minutes. This step ensures the tofu becomes firmer and crisps up nicely when cooked.
- Cut the tofu: Slice the pressed tofu into bite-sized cubes, approximately 1-inch pieces, making them easy to fry evenly and eat.
- Prepare the coating: In a shallow bowl, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each tofu cube in the mixture, ensuring an even coating on all sides which will create a crispy crust when air fried.
- Preheat and prepare air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush the air fryer basket with vegetable oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air fry the tofu: Arrange the coated tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to promote even crispiness and golden browning.
- Make the sauce: While tofu cooks, mix soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble and garnish: Transfer the cooked tofu to a serving plate, pour the warm sauce over the tofu cubes, and garnish with chopped green onions, and optionally bonito flakes and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
- Serve: Serve immediately to enjoy the tofu at its crispiest with the savory sauce, making a delicious appetizer or light dish.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is essential to remove moisture and achieve a crispy texture.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crisping.
- You can omit bonito flakes to keep the dish vegetarian.
- Serve immediately after cooking to retain crispiness.
- Adjust sugar in the sauce to taste for sweeter or less sweet flavor.
