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A pile of golden-brown, crispy tofu cubes coated in a highly reflective honey garlic sauce. The tofu sits on fluffy white rice inside a matte ceramic bowl. (Honey Garlic Air Fryer Tofu)

Honey Garlic Air Fryer Tofu (That Looks as Good as it Tastes)

This Honey Garlic Air Fryer Tofu is perfectly crispy, sticky, and easy to make! This simple recipe delivers a delicious, healthy weeknight meal with a thick, reflective dark amber glaze that coats every single bite.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz Extra-Firm Tofu (450g), well-pressed
  • 2 tbsp Cornstarch (16g)
  • 1 tbsp Avocado Oil (15ml)
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1/4 cup Honey (60ml)
  • 3 tbsp Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (45ml)
  • 3 cloves Garlic finely minced
  • 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar (15ml)
  • 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil (5ml)
  • 1 tsp Cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water
  • 2 stalks Green Scallions chopped, for garnish
  • 1 tbsp Toasted White Sesame Seeds (9g), for garnish
  • 3 cups Steamed Jasmine Rice (~540g), for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Air Fryer
  • 1 Tofu Press Or heavy objects and paper towels.
  • 1 Small Saucepan

Method
 

Prepare the Tofu
  1. Press the extra-firm tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove excess water. Pat dry, then cut into 1-inch (2.5cm) cubes.
  2. In a large bowl, toss the tofu cubes with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp cornstarch and toss again until each cube is lightly and evenly coated.
Air Fry the Tofu
  1. Place the coated tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden-brown and crispy.
Make the Glaze
  1. While the tofu cooks, combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and rice vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
  2. In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and stir in the toasted sesame oil.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Transfer the hot, crispy tofu to a large bowl. Pour the warm glaze over the top and toss gently to coat every piece.
  2. Serve immediately over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice. Garnish with chopped green scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Don't Skip the Press: Pressing the tofu is the most crucial step for achieving a crispy texture.
Give Them Space: Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for maximum crispiness.
Sauce at the End: Only toss the tofu in the sauce right before serving to prevent it from getting soggy.
Toast Your Seeds: Toasting the sesame seeds in a dry pan for a few minutes enhances their nutty flavor significantly.