Description
This Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu recipe offers a lighter, healthier twist on the traditional Japanese appetizer. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, the tofu is air fried to perfection and served with a flavorful tentsuyu dipping sauce made from dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Garnished with green onions, grated daikon, bonito flakes, or nori, this dish is a delightful vegan-friendly and gluten-free option that captures authentic Japanese flavors with minimal oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 14 ounces firm or extra-firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- spray oil or 1 tablespoon neutral oil
Dipping Sauce (Tentsuyu)
- 1/2 cup dashi stock (or low-sodium vegetable broth)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Garnish
- Grated daikon (optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Bonito flakes (optional)
- Shredded nori or toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Press and Prepare Tofu: Press the tofu for 15 to 30 minutes to remove excess water, then cut into 1-inch cubes or rectangles. Pat the pieces thoroughly dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness when cooking.
- Coat Tofu: Toss the tofu pieces with cornstarch and salt until evenly coated. Lightly spray or brush the tofu with oil to help achieve a golden crispy exterior during air frying.
- Air Fry Tofu: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the tofu in a single layer inside the basket to allow even airflow. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through cooking to ensure all sides become golden and crispy.
- Prepare Dipping Sauce: While the tofu cooks, combine the dashi stock (or vegetable broth), soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat to blend the flavors, then remove from heat and keep warm.
- Serve: Transfer the crispy tofu to a shallow serving bowl. Pour the warm tentsuyu dipping sauce over the tofu just before serving to preserve the crispy texture. Garnish with sliced green onions, grated daikon, bonito flakes, shredded nori, or toasted sesame seeds as desired.
Notes
- Serve immediately to maintain the crispy texture of the tofu.
- Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce to make this dish gluten-free.
- Traditional agedashi tofu is deep-fried, but this air fryer version reduces oil usage and calories while still delivering satisfying crispiness.
- Grated daikon and bonito flakes add authentic Japanese flavors and textural contrast but can be omitted for a vegan version.
