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golden brown and crispy air fryer tofu bites served on a round white plate with a dip on the side

Air Fryer Tofu Bites, An Easy Nut-Free Recipe

Make tofu bites in an air fryer as a healthy snack, side dish, or appetizer. This is a low cost, healthy, high protein, and easy recipe with a delicious sweet and savory dip. Or you can serve the tofu bites with your own favorite dip.

Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Asian inspired
Keyword crispy tofu, tofu bites
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Drain tofu 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 6
Author Sharon (NutFreeWok.com)

Ingredients

  • 1 19 oz box tofu
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon 5 spice powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sichuan peppercorns freshly ground (optional)
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil or other neutral oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped scallions reserve some for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cut slits in 1 19 oz box tofu and drain the liquid. Place the tofu container sideways in a large bowl and continue to drain in the refrigerator for 1 hour or more (use the same day).

  2. Remove the tofu from the box and then pat dry with paper towels. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and continue to drain on paper towels.

  3. Combine 1/2 cup cornstarch with 1/2 teaspoon 5 spice powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the tofu cubes to the bowl and gently toss the tofu cubes in the cornstarch to coat.

  4. Preheat an airfryer 400F° and place the tofu pieces into the airfryer basket for 15 minutes. Shake the basket at the halfway point.

Sauce Instructions

  1. While the tofu is in the air fryer, combine 2 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 2 teaspoons rice vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Set aside.

  2. Grind approximately 1/4 teaspoon sichuan peppercorns, set aside.

  3. Preheat a medium saucepan on medium heat for a few minutes, add 2 teaspoon olive oil or other neutral oil, 2 cloves garlic(minced), and sichuan peppercorns and saute until fragrant. Add sauce mixture and cook until thickened, remove from heat.

  4. When the tofu pieces are crispy, transfer them to a serving dish, garnish with 1/4 cup chopped scallions, and serve with the dipping sauce on the side.

Recipe Notes

If you don't have time to drain the tofu: cut slits on the tofu box and drain the tofu for 5 minutes. Remove the tofu from the box and transfer to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 2 minutes. Allow the tofu to cool to room temperature, drain the tofu. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels.