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Agedashi Tofu Air Fryer 

Agedashi Tofu Air Fryer 

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Agedashi Tofu Air Fryer -- If you love the taste of Japanese cuisine, you know that some of its signature dishes are made with a light and crispy fried texture. But don’t let their deliciousness fool you – traditional deep-frying techniques require a lot of oil and often result in unhealthier dishes.

Ingredients 

Tofu Ingredients:

  • 1 block firm tofu, about 14-16 ounces
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch , or potato starch
  • Cooking spray , optional, for coating

For the Dashi-Based Sauce:

  • 1 cup dashi stock, can be substituted with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce, use tamari for a gluten-free option
  • 2 tablespoons mirin, Japanese sweet rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon sake, optional, for additional depth of flavor
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated ginger

Garnish:

  • Grated daikon radish
  • Chopped green onions, scallions
  • Bonito flakes, katsuobushi or dried seaweed (nori)

Instructions

  • Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain any excess water. Gently pat the tofu dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
  • Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes, about 1 inch in size.
  • If desired, lightly coat the tofu cubes in cornstarch or potato starch. This step will help create a crispy exterior when air frying. Shake off any excess starch.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes. Preheating ensures even cooking and a crispy texture.
  • Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking (optional).
  • Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper air circulation.
  • Cook the tofu in the air fryer for 15-20 minutes, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even browning.
  • In a saucepan, combine the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, sake (if using), sugar, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  • If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce and cook until it thickens slightly.
  • Place the air-fried tofu cubes on a serving plate. Pour the hot dashi-based sauce over the tofu.
  • Garnish the dish with grated daikon radish, chopped green onions, and bonito flakes or dried seaweed, if desired.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 153kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 11gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1018mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 145mgIron: 2mg