Are you looking to add some spice and flavor to your dinner routine? Introduce a delicious, plant-based twist to classic Indian fare with this Air Fryer Curry Tofu.
While it’s full of flavor from the curry powder and spices, it remains simple enough for anyone in the kitchen, whether seasoned or novice. Crisp on the outside yet tender on the inside, this air fryer tofu is one dish that won’t disappoint! Get ready for an easy weeknight meal everyone will love.
My son’s college features Indian Food, and one of his favorites is Curry Tofu, so while he was home on winter break, I made him an Indian Feast in my air fryer, including Air Fryer Chicken Tikka Masala and Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, and of course, the star of our dinner, was this curried tofu, infused with flavor!
Why You Will Love Air Fryer Curry Tofu
If you have been looking for a great recipe for Meatless Monday or want to know how to cook tofu in the air fryer, you will love it. I looking to cook tofu in the air fryer for several reasons, including:
- The complex flavors of the Curry Sauce give it a lot of spice and flavor!
- It’s a great protein; serve it over a bed of rice, whether Instant Pot Brown Rice, Instant Pot Jasmine Rice, or even Instant Pot Greek Rice; it’s a great and simple meal for any night of the week.
- This is a healthy recipe. If you have been looking for Air Fryer Healthy Recipes, this is one of the best!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Curry Tofu
Here are the simple ingredients, for making air fryer tofu curry:
Remember the step-by-step directions below in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
- Tofu: For best results, use extra firm tofu.
- Oil: Any high-heat oil, such as sesame oil, olive oil, or coconut oil, will work for this recipe.
- Soy Sauce: You can use liquid aminos, or low-sodium (Gluten-Free) Soy Sauce
- Onions: Use yellow or white onion that has been finely diced.
- Tomato Paste: Make sure you use tomato paste, not tomato sauce, as the sauce will not thicken.
- Diced Tomatoes: Canned tomatoes that have been drained.
- Greek Yogurt: For the Curry Sauce
- Seasonings and Spices: Fresh Ginger, Minced Garlic Curry Powder, Bay Leaf, Kosher Salt, Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander, Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cloves
How To Make Air Fryer Tofu Curry
Here are the step by step-by-step guide on cooking curry tofu in the Air Fryer!
Remove Most Of The Liquid from The Tofu: This step will help you get a crispy batch of tofu from the air fryer. Do not skip! Place your tofu onto a cutting board, and then place a heavy skillet on top of the tofu. Leave for about 10 minutes.
Season Your Curry Tofu: Add your diced tofu, sesame oil, soy sauce, and diced onion in a large bowl, and add all your seasonings and spices. Toss well to coat.
Air Fry Curry Tofu: Add the coated tofu to the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space around the tofu for the hot air to circulate around the tofu, which will help it crisp up. Set the cooking temperature to 400 degrees F, and set the cooking time for 8-10 minutes; shake the basket frequently as it cooks up!
Make The Curry Sauce In a small saucepan, add the Greek Yogurt, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, and water, simmer over medium-high heat, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
Serving Air-Fried Curry Tofu Toss the cooked tofu with the sauce, and serve over rice (optional)
Air Fryer Curry Tofu Recipe Tips
- Press the Tofu: Before cooking, press the tofu to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve a firmer texture and better absorption of the curry marinade. Use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in a clean towel and place a heavy object on top for 20-30 minutes.
- Cut Evenly: Cut the tofu into evenly sized cubes or slices to ensure they cook uniformly. Smaller pieces will get crispier.
- Marinate Well: Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes to allow the curry flavors to penetrate.
- Use Cornstarch: Toss the marinated tofu in a light coating of cornstarch before air frying.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Arrange the tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces.
- Shake the Basket: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure all sides of the tofu cubes are evenly cooked and crispy.
- Adjust Temperature and Time: Adjust the cooking time based on the size and moisture content of the tofu.
- Add Extra Seasoning: After cooking, taste the tofu and sprinkle additional curry powder, salt, or other seasonings if needed to enhance the flavor.
- Serve Immediately: Air-fried tofu is best enjoyed immediately while it’s hot and crispy.
Air Fryer Tofu Curry Recipe Faqs
How do I prepare tofu for air frying? Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture. Use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in a clean towel and place a heavy object on top for 20-30 minutes. This step helps achieve a firmer texture.
What type of tofu is best for air frying? Extra-firm tofu is the best choice for air frying as it holds its shape well and gets crispy on the outside while remaining tender inside.
How long should I marinate the tofu? Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. For more intense flavor, you can marinate the tofu overnight in the refrigerator.
Do I need to use oil for air frying tofu? While you can air fry tofu without oil, using a small amount helps achieve a crispy exterior. Toss the marinated tofu in a light coating of oil before air frying.
Can I add other vegetables to the air fryer with the tofu? Yes, you can add vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or zucchini. Cut the vegetables into similar-sized pieces as the tofu and adjust the cooking time as needed.
How can I make the tofu crispier? Toss the marinated tofu in cornstarch before air frying. This helps achieve a crispier exterior. Also, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
Can I reheat leftover air-fried tofu? Yes, you can reheat leftover tofu in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes until heated through and crispy again.
What can I serve with air fryer tofu curry? Air fryer tofu curry pairs well with steamed rice, quinoa, or a fresh salad. You can also serve it with naan or roti for a complete meal.
How do I store leftover tofu curry? Store leftover tofu curry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or on the stovetop before serving.
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Air Fryer Curry Tofu
Description
Ingredients
Curry Tofu:
- 1 block extra firm tofu, pressed dry
- 4 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Curry Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes, canned
- 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Place your tofu onto a cutting board, and then place a heavy skillet on top of the tofu. Leave for about 10 minutes.
- Add your diced tofu, sesame oil, soy sauce, and diced onion in a large bowl, and add all your seasonings and spices. Toss well to coat.
- Add the coated tofu to the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space around the tofu for the hot air to circulate around the tofu, which will help it crisp up.
- Set the cooking temperature to 400 degrees F, and set the cooking time for 8-10 minutes; shake the basket frequently as it cooks up!
- In a small saucepan, add the Greek Yogurt, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, and water, simmer over medium-high heat, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
- Toss the cooked tofu with the sauce, and serve over rice (optional)
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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Cali
Hi, the serving size for the default 6-serving recipe is 1g; could you please correct?
Laurie
Yes, this makes 6 servings, so you divide the recipe by 6, for one serving.