A great addition to your rice bowls. Air-fried tofu with avocado oil, aromatic turmeric, oregano, rosemary, basil, onion, parsley, thyme, pepper flakes, and more. It’s a fast way to prep ahead.
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Your Ultimate Best Tofu Recipe Ever!
I do this at home almost once a week because it’s so easy and quick. The secret is using a tofu press to remove the excess water that will help firm the tofu and aid it in the air fryer to become crispy. Plus, it handles well in marinades when mixing.
Related Recipes
Love air-fried tofu? Then you have to try Turmeric Herbed Tofu with Roasted Vegetable Israeli Couscous and Basil Romesco Sauce. Or you can serve them with a Quick 5 Vegetable Medley that's also done in the air fryer and then tossed in the Quick Basil Romesco Pasta Sauce. They will also go amazingly in a pita with shredded crunchy vegetables and topped with the Quick Zhug Sauce or Quick Harissa Sauce recipe.
Ingredients with Steps
Use a Tofu Press to squeeze out the excess water from the tofu block. Then marinate in avocado oil, turmeric, oregano, rosemary, basil, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper chili flakes. Cook in the air fryer and then toss with lemon zest.
See the air-fried tofu recipe card for quantities.
Instructions with Pictures
Tofu presses can have bands on this side like this Tofuture or a nob to turn.
Simply place the block of tofu into the basket.
Place the bands and let them sit for 30 minutes in the fridge.
Removing the basket, you will see the excess water in the reservoir.
The tofu will be reduced in size.
Slice into desired pieces.
Add the seasoning and dried herbs.
Mix in the avocado oil and toss.
Originally used with the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill attachment at a higher temperature. But I later just started using the basket.
Busy Folks - Become a better home cook with cooking tips to help you cook more efficiently on Cook's Notebook tab. In addition, some related detailed steps can be found there.
Substitutions
- Herbs - An excellent alternative to the listed herbs in the recipe is 2 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning. Or you can use fresh, one tablespoon chopped to 1 teaspoon.
- Avocado Oil - Any vegetable oil that does not have a distinct flavor and that has a high smoke point.
Change Heat Level - Modify the recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.
Variations
- Cajun Spiced - Keep the herbs, but replace the spices with one teaspoon of Cajun spice.
- Curried - Either with Jamaican curry, more on the spicy side, or garam masala, more on the aromatic spice side.
Equipment
- Air Fryer - Used as the cooking method for the air-fried tofu. I used my Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill, which has a grill attachment. I have this recipe both with the attachment and in the basket.
- Tofu Press - This recipe was developed using the Tofuture Tofu Press. This helps remove excess water to change the texture when fried.
Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.
Storage
For leftovers, cool down completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Air Tight Food Containers - I use Glass Food Storage Containers with a plastic clipping lid to store food. For example, I always suggest glass storage containers since you can microwave them and hold food without staining the container, and the glass keeps them at a more stable temperature, which keeps the food fresher longer.
Cooking tips
- Preparation - Be prepared to allow the tofu to press for at least 30 minutes in your fridge.
- Spread Out - Allow half an inch of space between the pieces evenly cooked and crisp in the air fryer basket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Avocado is a neutral-tasting oil that will not overpower the taste of the meal and has a high smoke point.
Oils that can withstand high heat at 400 degrees or more before smoking. I recommend Avocado or Canola Oils. Learn more about smoke points.
To prevent tofu from falling apart during cooking, use a tofu press to release the extra liquid to firm up the tofu, even if it is extra firm.
Zesting is the process of peeling only the skin of the citrus fruit without the white flesh, referred to as pith. The skin also contains aromatic oils and is an excellent addition to recipes to intensify the flavors of a dish. A fine grater is the most convenient way to obtain the zest of the citrus fruit, usually referred to as zester or a Microplane. Learn more about zesting.
Tofu Recipes
Looking for other tofu recipes like this? Try these:
- Herb Panko Tofu with Curried Potatoes, Carrots and Onions
- Bang Bang Crispy Tofu with Egg Fried Brown Rice
- Grilled Tofu with Vegetable Pearl Couscous Salad
Vegetarian Recipes
Looking for other vegetarian recipes like this? Try these:
- Surprisingly High-Protein Meals Using Beans or Ground Turkey!
- Mango Coconut Felato | Ninja Creami Gelato-Style Treat
- Meatless Monday Meal Guide: Plant-Powered Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
- Haitian Djon Djon Rice Recipe (Diri Djon Djon)
📖 Recipe
Grilled Turmeric Herbed Tofu
Ingredients
- 16 ounces extra firm tofu sliced into ½-inch thick, 2-inch rectangle pieces
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Equipment
Instructions
- Optional: Use a tofu press to release more liquid from the tofu, this process can take about a minimum of 30 minutes to ideally an hour.
- Place the block of firm tofu on your cutting board with the long length being horizontal.
- Slice the block of tofu in half horizontally.
- Then slice the tofu vertically into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine with all remaining ingredients, except for the lemon zest.
- In the Ninja 5-in1 Indoor Grill, add the grill attachment.
- Turn on the Ninja 5-in1 Indoor Grill, select "Grill", choose "MED" (450 Fahrenheit), and set the time to 15 minutes.
- Once the indicator shows "add food", using your tongs add the tofu pieces flat down and close immediately. Less time open less heat lost, ensuring optimal uniform cooking
- Note: Do not open the Ninja during the cooking process.
- Once the indicator shows "end" with the alarm, using your tongs remove the tofu pieces into a large mixing bowl.
- Add lemon zest and toss gently.
- For leftovers, cool down completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Preheat your grill on medium, about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Optional: Use a tofu press to release more liquid from the tofu, this process can take about a minimum of 30 minutes to ideally an hour.
- Place the block of firm tofu on your cutting board with the long length being horizontal.
- Slice the block of tofu in half horizontally.
- Then slice the tofu vertically into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine with all remaining ingredients, except for the lemon zest.
- Allow marinating in a small container with a lid or zipper storage bag for 30 minutes.
- Once the grill is heated, using your tongs add the tofu pieces flat down grill.
- In about 7 minutes, flip the pieces to grill mark the other side.
- Let it grill for another 8 minutes.
- Use your tongs to remove the tofu pieces into a large mixing bowl.
- Add lemon zest and toss gently.
- For leftovers, cool down completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Preheat your oven to medium-high, about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Optional: Use a tofu press to release more liquid from the tofu, this process can take about a minimum of 30 minutes to ideally an hour.
- Place the block of firm tofu on your cutting board with the long length being horizontal.
- Slice the block of tofu in half horizontally.
- Then slice the tofu vertically into ½-inch thick pieces.
- Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine with all remaining ingredients, except for the lemon zest.
- Allow marinating in a small container with a lid or zipper storage bag for 30 minutes.
- Using a sheet pan, place parchment paper and lay out the tofu pieces with a pair of tongs.
- Once the oven is heated, place the sheet pan in the oven on the middle rack.
- In about 7 minutes, quickly flip the pieces to evenly cook and close the oven door. The less time you have the oven open the less heat you lose, ensuring optimal uniform cooking.
- Let it bake for another 8 minutes.
- Use your tongs to remove the tofu pieces into a large mixing bowl.
- Add lemon zest and toss gently.
- For leftovers, cool down completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
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