Air fryer recipe · Mains
Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu
Tofu marinated in lemongrass, garlic and chilli, air fried until golden.
- 16 minTotal time
- 190°CAir fryer
- 3Serves
- VegetarianDiet
Nutrition per serving
- 245kcal
- 19.8 gprotein
- 10.0 gcarbs
- 16.6 gfat
- 1.6 gfibre
Per serving, about 3 servings. Figures are estimates from standard ingredient databases, not medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
- firm tofu400 g
- lemongrass2 stalks finely chopped
- garlic3 cloves
- soy sauce2 tbsp
- red chilli1 chopped
- turmeric powder0.5 tsp
- roasted peanuts2 tbsp crushed
Method
Press and slice the tofu
Press the tofu for 15 minutes under a heavy plate to squeeze out the water, then slice it into thick fingers. Drier tofu soaks up the marinade better and crisps at the edges instead of staying soft and bland.
Make the marinade
Mix the chopped lemongrass, crushed garlic, soy sauce, chilli and turmeric into a rough paste. Mashing the aromatics together releases their oils, so the flavour coats the tofu evenly rather than sitting in dry patches.
Marinate the tofu
Coat the tofu fingers all over in the marinade and let them rest for 20 minutes. Giving them time lets the lemongrass and garlic soak into the surface, so every bite carries flavour and not just the outer skin.
Arrange in the basket
Lay the tofu fingers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spaced well apart, and spray them lightly with oil. Space lets hot air wrap each piece, and the thin film of oil helps every side turn golden and crisp.
Air fry until golden
Air fry at 190°C for 16 min, turning the fingers halfway, until the tofu is golden and the edges are crisp. Scatter the crushed peanuts over the top just before serving so they stay crunchy against the soft tofu.
