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    Published: Jul 1, 2022 · Modified: Sep 3, 2023 by Maika · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Air-Fried Turmeric Herbed Tofu

    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.

    golden brown air fried tofu with dried herbs in a metal container

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Your Ultimate Best Tofu Recipe Ever!
    • Related Recipes
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Cooking tips
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Tofu Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Recipe
    • Food safety
    • Have a Comment or Question?

    Ingredients

    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

    tofuture container on kitchen counter for air fried tofu

    Tofu presses can have bands on this side like this Tofuture or a nob to turn.

    tofu block placed into tofu press for air fried tofu

    Simply place the block of tofu into the basket.

    side view of the tofu press for air fried tofu

    Place the bands and let them sit for 30 minutes in the fridge.

    author showing left over water in the tofu press' base for air fried tofu

    Removing the basket, you will see the excess water in the reservoir.

    author showing pressed tofu in the tofu press container for air fried tofu

    The tofu will be reduced in size.

    sliced pressed tofu in a large mixing bowl for air fried tofu

    Slice into desired pieces.

    sliced tofu covered in herbs and spices in a large mixing bowl for air fried tofu

    Add the seasoning and dried herbs.

    sliced tofu tossed in herbs, spices and oil for air fried tofu

    Mix in the avocado oil and toss.

    seasoned herb tofu on the grill attachment of the Ninja Foodi for air fried tofu

    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 tips to help you cook more efficiently on Cook's Notebook tab.  You'll also find more detailed steps for the instructions above.

    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.

    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.

    Storage

    For leftovers, cool down completely and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    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 cook and crisp in the air fryer basket.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why Use Avocado Oil in the Air Fryer?

    Avocado is a neutral-tasting oil that will not over powder the taste of the meal and has a high smoke point.

    What Does Smoke Point for Oil Mean?

    Oils that can withstand high heat at 400 degrees or more before smoking. I recommend Avocado or Canola Oils. Learn more about smoke points.

    Why Use a Tofu Press?

    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.

    What is Zesting?

    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:

    • Breaded sliced tofu and brown rice topped with curried potatoes, carrots and onions on a white round plate.
      Herb Panko Tofu with Curried Potatoes, Carrots and Onions
    • bang bang tofu with fried rice and steamed broccoli
      Bang Bang Crispy Tofu with Egg Fried Brown Rice
    • grilled tofu, Israeli couscous with roasted vegetables
      Turmeric Herbed Tofu with Roasted Vegetable Israeli Couscous and Basil Romesco Sauce
    • israeli couscous tossed in romesco pasta sauce and roasted vegetables in nonstick pan with a metal spoon
      Israeli Couscous with Roasted Vegetables and Basil Romesco Pasta Sauce
    See more Tofu →

    Vegetarian Recipes

    Looking for other tofu recipes like this? Try these:

    • spicy basil pesto in glass bowl with a spoon and fresh basil in the background
      Homemade Easy Spicy Basil Pesto
    • Whipped Cottage Cheese stuffed French Omelet on a round white plate with sliced strawberries and toasted sourdough bread
      French Omelet with Whipped Garlic Herbed Cottage Cheese
    • Whipped garlic herbed cottage cheese in a small round glass bowl
      Healthy Whipped Garlic Herbed Cottage Cheese Spread
    • Peanut butter and caramel swirled chocolate ice cream with chocolate chips in a blue and white designed bowl
      Easy Peanut Chocolate Caramel Candy Bar No-Churn Ice Cream
    See more Vegetarian →

    Recipe

    air fryer, grilling, quick and easy, dinner, lunch, lunch, bowls, Mediterranean, Middle-Eastern, vegetarian, vegetables, diary-free, gluten-free, healthy, summer, sheet pan, bake, spicy, egg-free, nut-free, 15 minute meal, vegan, pescatarian, pollotarian
    Vegetarian, Sides
    Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
    Yield: 5
    Author: Maika Frederic
    Grilled Turmeric Herbed Tofu

    Grilled Turmeric Herbed Tofu

    A great addition to your rice bowls. With avocado oil, aromatic turmeric, oregano, rosemary, basil, onion, parsley, thyme, pepper flakes, and more. It’s a fast way to prep ahead.
    Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 12 MinTotal time: 17 Min

    Ingredients

    Instructions

    Air Fryer
    Grill Instructions
    Oven Bake Instructions

    Notes

    Alternative Italian Seasoning

    • A good alternative to the listed spices and herbs in the recipe is 2 tablespoon of Italian Seasoning.

    Why Avocado Oil?

    • Avocado is a neutral-tasting oil that will not over powder the taste of the meal and has a high smoke point

    What Does Smoke Point for Oil Mean?

    • Oils that can withstand high heat at 400 degrees or more before smoking.
    • I recommend Avocado or Canola Oils.
    • Check Wikipedia’s Smoke Point Chart.

    Why Use a Tofu Press?

    • To prevent tofu from falling apart during the cooking process, use a tofu press to release the extra liquid to firm up the tofu, even if it is extra firm.

    Zesting

    • Zesting is the process of peeling only the skin of the citrus fruit without the white flesh, referred to as pith. The skin contains oils that are aromatic and a great 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.

    Recommended Products:

    Tofuture's Tofu Press - the original and the best Tofu Press for transforming your tofu
    Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake & Dehydrate, Black/Silver
    KitchenAid Silicone Stainless Steel Tongs, 10.26 Inch, Red

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories

    108.17

    Fat

    7.44 g

    Sat. Fat

    0.95 g

    Carbs

    3.8 g

    Fiber

    0.82 g

    Net carbs

    2.96 g

    Sugar

    1.03 g

    Protein

    7.04 g

    Sodium

    526.82 mg

    Cholesterol

    0 mg

    These are calculations based on search results of the ingredient's nutritional information.


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    Food safety

    • Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat to prevent food bourne illness from contaminated uncooked meats.
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat to prevent cross-contamination.
    • Don't leave food at room temperature for extended periods; this can breed bacteria.
    • Never leave cooking food unattended to prevent burns and fires.
    • Use oils with a high smoke point to avoid harmful compounds.
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

    Have a Comment or Question?

    If you have a question or comment about this air-fried tofu recipe, please post it below. You will definitely get a quick response. It also helps our other readers to stay informed. Thanks!

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    Author profile picture

    Welcome. I’m Maika, a former professional culinarian for over a decade. I’ve worked for major hotels such as the PGA National Resort, The Ritz-Carlon Hotel Company, Conrad Hilton, and W Hotel. And as a lifetime passionate cook, my blog is about exploring a world of flavors and experimenting with recipes to create restaurant-quality quick and easy dishes that will excite the taste buds.

    More about me →

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