This delicious salt and pepper tofu air fryer recipe takes about 15 minutes to cook using 10 ingredients, including extra-firm tofu, salt, pepper, as well as simple vegetables and spices! It’s a quick and tasty meal!
This salt and pepper tofu is a low-fat and low-calorie homemade version of a popular Chinese takeout dish. It’s super easy to use your air fryer for the tofu and a frying pan to sauté your vegetables in sauce with your crispy air fryer salt and pepper tofu. Feel free to customize this dish however you want based on the ingredients you have!
Recipe for Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu
If you’re ever craving Chinese takeaway, specifically salt and pepper tofu Chinese take-out, this air fryer recipe is perfect to make this dish at home! Especially if you want to make a bigger batch or want to include it in your meal prep for the week!
TIP: You want to make sure you’re using extra-firm tofu and make it more firm by either using a tofu press to squeeze the water out, or a new hack I love doing is boiling the tofu to make the texture more firm and bouncy! If you are using very firm extra-firm tofu, you won’t need to boil or press the tofu. So many “extra-firm tofu” are different firmness, so I just wanted to mention this.
This is a healthier, less oily version of the popular takeout Chinese dish, often deep fried in oil, where this recipe uses minimal oil since most of the cooking is done in an air fryer!
Ingredients
- Tofu (extra-firm)
- Salt
- White Pepper
- Chinese five-spice seasoning
- Oil
- Cornstarch (or potato starch)
- Garlic
- Green Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Chili flakes
This salt and pepper tofu is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free.
How To Make Salt and Pepper Tofu (Air Fryer)
Skip this first step if your tofu is already very firm or if you used a tofu press to press your tofu. To make your tofu firm and bouncy, use a pot and bring 4 cups of water to a boil and stir in 1/2 tbsp salt. Cube your tofu and add it to your boiling water, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes, or up to 15 minutes for a chewier and firmer texture (this is just a bonus tip). Prepare the vegetables and mix the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl while you wait. Once done, drain your tofu and gently pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
To begin making your salt and pepper tofu, use a mixing bowl and toss your cubed tofu with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder and 1 tsp white pepper and mix until evenly coated. Add 1 tbsp oil and toss again. Then add cornstarch (1 tbsp at a time), tossing until all pieces are well coated.
Place tofu in an air fryer basket separated in a single layer (line the air fryer basket if needed to prevent tofu from sticking). Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through, until crispy and golden.
While the salt and pepper tofu is air frying, heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté garlic and the white parts of the green onions for 1–2 minutes. Add red bell pepper and jalapeño (optional); cook for another 2–3 minutes until softened.
Add the crispy air-fried tofu to the pan with the vegetables, sprinkle with the extra seasoning, and toss to coat evenly. Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve hot. Voila! Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu!
Watch me make this recipe on YouTube here.
SALT AND PEPPER TOFU (Air Fryer)
Equipment
- 1 Pot (optional, if boiling tofu)
- 1 Tofu Press (optional, if pressing tofu)
- 1 Non-stick Pan or wok, large
- 1 Spatula or wooden sppon
- 1 Knife
- 1 Measuring utensils spoons and cups
Ingredients
Salt and Pepper Tofu
- 1 block tofu extra-firm, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 4 cups water optional for boiling + 1/2 tbsp salt
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or potato starch
Vegetables
- 1/2 tbsp oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 green onions sliced (divided: white and green parts)
- 1/4 bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeño diced (optional)
Extra Seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt more to taste
- 1/4 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder optional
Instructions
- Skip this first step if your tofu is already very firm or if you used a tofu press to press your tofu. To make your tofu firm and bouncy, use a pot and bring 4 cups of water to a boil and stir in 1/2 tbsp salt. Cube your tofu and add it to your boiling water, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes, or up to 15 minutes for a chewier and firmer texture (this is just a bonus tip). Prepare the vegetables and mix the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl while you wait. Once done, drain your tofu and gently pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- To begin making your salt and pepper tofu, use a mixing bowl and toss your cubed tofu with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder and 1 tsp white pepper and mix until evenly coated. Add 1 tbsp oil and toss again. Then add cornstarch (1 tbsp at a time), tossing until all pieces are well coated.
- Place tofu in an air fryer basket separated in a single layer (line the air fryer basket if needed to prevent tofu from sticking). Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through, until crispy and golden.
- While the salt and pepper tofu is air frying, heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté garlic and the white parts of the green onions for 1–2 minutes. Add red bell pepper and jalapeño (optional); cook for another 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add the crispy air-fried tofu to the pan with the vegetables, sprinkle with the extra seasoning, and toss to coat evenly. Garnish with the remaining green onions and serve hot. Voila! Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu!
Nutrition
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