Description
A crispy and flavorful Japanese appetizer featuring firm tofu air-fried to golden perfection and served with a warm, savory dashi-based sauce. This healthier take on traditional agedashi tofu uses air frying for a light yet satisfying texture, garnished with green onions, grated daikon, bonito flakes, and sesame seeds.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 1 block (14 oz) firm or medium-firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (for brushing or spraying)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup dashi broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Garnishes (optional)
- 2 green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon grated daikon
- 1 tablespoon bonito flakes
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare Tofu: Gently press the tofu between paper towels or a clean kitchen towel for 15–20 minutes to remove excess moisture. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes or rectangles. Lightly coat each piece with cornstarch, shaking off excess. Lightly spray or brush the tofu with neutral oil.
- Air Fry the Tofu: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the tofu pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
- Make the Sauce: While the tofu cooks, combine dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir and warm the sauce until it is heated through but not boiling.
- Assemble and Serve: Place the crispy tofu in shallow bowls and pour a few spoonfuls of the warm sauce over each serving. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions, grated daikon, bonito flakes, and sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately for best texture.
Notes
- Use vegan dashi and omit bonito flakes to make the dish vegan.
- Serve immediately to maintain the tofu’s crispy texture.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or can be served as an appetizer in a Japanese-style meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4–5 tofu pieces with sauce
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
