Unlike with pan-frying or sautéing, air-frying tofu allows you to achieve a delicious crust on the outside with minimal fat. We use seasoned cornstarch to create a light, crisp coating that yields to a creamy texture within. Paired with brown rice, cucumber, avocado and a sweet-tart sauce, it’s an easy, impressive vegan meal.
This recipe is a perfect candidate to throw in any extra veggies or frozen veggies you have on hand. You can also bump up the protein content by adding shelled edamame, turning it into a high-protein, veggie-packed meal.
Active time: 15 minutes | Total time: 35 minutes
Crispy Air-Fried Tofu Bowls
Ingredients
- 1 (16-oz./453g) package water-packed extra-firm tofu
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Cooking spray
- 2 2/3 cups (280g) frozen brown rice
- 1 cup (120g) English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 medium avocado, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (20g) green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (60g) sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
Directions
Cut the tofu into 1-inch slices and arrange on a double layer of paper towels. Top with another double layer of paper towels, place a plate on top, and weigh it down with a heavy skillet. Let stand for 15 minutes to drain excess moisture. Remove the weight and paper towels, then cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and transfer to a medium bowl. Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with cornstarch, garlic powder, and salt; toss gently to coat.
Preheat the air fryer, if necessary, to 400°F. Coat the air-fryer basket with cooking spray and arrange in as even a layer as possible (cook in batches if needed). Air-fry for 15–20 minutes, or until browned and crisp, pausing every 5 minutes to shake the basket and toss the tofu.
Meanwhile, prepare the rice according to package directions. Divide about 2/3 cup rice among 4 bowls and top each with cucumber, avocado, and green onions. Divide the tofu evenly among the bowls.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sweet chili sauce and rice vinegar. Drizzle evenly over each bowl before serving.
Serves: 4 | Serving Size: 1 bowl
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 396; Total Fat: 16g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 595mg; Carbohydrate: 49g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 15g
Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 364mg; Iron: 7%; Vitamin C: 10%
Originally published October 15, 2020; Updated March 2026