Air Fryer Crispy Tofu with Sesame Rice
Golden, crisp tofu cubes tossed in soy sauce and sesame, served over fluffy rice. A high-protein air fryer dinner for one.
- Total
- 35 min
- Prep 10 · Cook 25
- Serves
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
You'll practice: Absorption rice · Dicing
- Savory
- Crispy
- Air fryer
Instructions
-
Press the tofu block between paper towels or clean cloths for 5 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut it into 2 cm cubes.
~5 min
Pressing removes excess moisture so the tofu can crisp rather than steam in the air fryer.
Pressing the tofu well is the key to crispiness: any surface moisture turns to steam in the air fryer and prevents browning.
Dicing Cut tofu into even 2 cm cubes so they cook at the same rate; uneven pieces will crisp unevenly.
-
In a mixing bowl, toss the tofu cubes with 1 tbsp cornstarch, 0.25 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
~2 min
Cornstarch creates a dry coating that fries into a crunchy shell when heated.
-
Add 1 tbsp oil to the bowl and gently toss the tofu until each cube is lightly coated.
~1 min
Oil helps the cornstarch coating brown and crisp evenly in the air fryer.
-
Place the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 200°C for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the cubes are golden and crisp on all sides.
~12 min
A single layer allows hot air to circulate, so each cube crisps instead of steaming.
If your air fryer runs hot, check the tofu at 10 minutes. You want deep golden edges, not pale cubes.
-
While step 4 cooks
While the tofu air fries, combine 75 g rice, 150 ml water, and a pinch of salt in a small oven-safe dish. Cover tightly with a lid or foil. Air fry at 180°C for 15 minutes, then let it rest covered for 5 minutes.
~15 min
Covering traps steam so the rice absorbs water and cooks evenly without drying out.
Absorption rice Use the right water-to-rice ratio and keep the dish covered; the rice should absorb all water and be fluffy, not wet or burnt.
-
Transfer the crispy tofu to a bowl and toss with 1.5 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame seeds. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve the tofu over it.
~2 min