How to Cook Marinated Tofu

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A cast iron skillet holds air fryer tofu pieces, sprinkled with sesame seeds. A pair of chopsticks rests on the pan. A small dish of sesame seeds and a ceramic pitcher are nearby on a wooden board.

How to Cook Marinated Tofu

This air fryer marinated tofu recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights when you want a healthy, comforting meal without the hassle. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this tofu is packed with flavor from a savory, tangy marinade. It’s a great source of plant-based protein, making it both nutritious and satisfying. Perfect for pairing with rice, veggies, or salads, this tofu dish will quickly become a family favorite!

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, Asian, Latin American

Keyword Air Fryer Tofu

Prep Time 1 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 1 30

Servings

Calories 74kcal

Author Ksenia Prints

Equipment

Air Fryer
cooking spray
Air Fryer Liners
Large pan or skillet
Cast Iron Skillet optional
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Reusable silicone mat optional

Ingredients

1 pkg package of firm or extra-firm tofu

Asian Tofu Marinade

6 Tbs soy sauce Tamari sauce, or Bragg's amino acids
3 Tbs rice wine vinegar
1 Tb Sambal Oelek or Sriracha sauce
¼ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder OR cumin
3 Tbs water

Instructions

Press the tofu to drain between your hands to extract fluids. Alternatively, to get even more liquid out, place the tofu on a cutting board, top it with a plate, and top the plate with a heavy can. Leave to drain for 15 minutes.
Cut the tofu into small cubes, each slightly smaller than 1-square inch. You can also cut it into triangles for sandwiches.
In a square or rectangular bowl, make the marinade by whisking together soy, rice vinegar, hot sauce, spices and water. Add cubed tofu to bowl and toss the tofu in the marinade, covered with plastic wrap or lid, overnight or at least for a few hours (you can even let it marinate for a few days, soaking up flavour as it goes along, so don't hesitate to plan several meals from this tofu). Give the tofu pieces a stir every few hours, to ensure all are evenly coated with sauce.
Uncooked, marinated tofu stays good for 3 days in an airtight container.

Air Fryer Method

Preheat the air fryer to 375F. Spray with non-stick spray, or drizzle 1 teaspoon of oil. Remove the tofu from the marinade, arrange in the air fryer so there’s no overlap. Air fry tofu for 15 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times in the process. You want your tofu nice and golden brown for this simple recipe.
Remove tofu from the air fryer and top with a few spoonfuls of the remaining marinade, if desired.

Pan Fried Tofu Method

Preheat a grill pan, a cast iron pan or a non-stick pan to high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of oil. Remove the tofu from the marinade, add tofu to the pan and grill 2-3 minutes per side. Turn each piece over to the other side, repeating until the tofu is browned on all sides and you can see grill marks if using a grill pan.
Top with a few spoonfuls of the remaining marinade, if desired.

Oven Baked Tofu Method

Preheat the oven to 400F. Cover a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Remove the tofu from the marinade, arrange on a baking sheet so there’s no overlap between the slices. Bake for 15 minutes on one side; flip over, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Top with a few spoonfuls of the remaining marinade, if desired.

Nutrition