Name: Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 block (14 ounces) firm or medium-firm tofu; ¼ cup cornstarch; ½ cup dashi broth; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon mirin; 1 teaspoon sugar; 2 green onions (thinly sliced); 1 tablespoon grated daikon radish (optional); 1 teaspoon grated ginger; bonito flakes and nori strips for garnish (optional)

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If you love the comfort of crispy-on-the-outside, silken-on-the-inside tofu, prepare to fall for Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu. This recipe delivers all the beloved flavors of the Japanese classic but with a lighter, crispier twist thanks to your air fryer. In less than 35 minutes, you can serve up golden tofu cubes drenched in a warm, savory dashi sauce. This air fryer method captures everything that’s wonderful about traditional agedashi tofu but makes it even more accessible for busy weeknights. It’s ridiculously delicious, beautifully textured, and surprisingly simple to master at home!

Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, every element of Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu brings something special—whether it’s crunch, savoriness, a pop of color, or a kick of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to recreate this irresistible Japanese appetizer at home.

Firm or medium-firm tofu (1 block, 14 ounces): The star of the show, offering the perfect balance of tenderness and structure without falling apart.
Cornstarch (1/4 cup): Locks in crispiness and creates a delicate shell to hold the sauce.
Neutral oil spray: Helps the exterior get golden, crunchy, and just a bit indulgent without deep frying.
Dashi broth (1/2 cup): Lays the umami foundation for a deeply savory, classic sauce.
Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Adds a rich, salty complexity to the broth.
Mirin (1 tablespoon): Brings subtle sweetness and a gentle gloss to the sauce.
Sugar (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors, balancing salty with a hint of sweetness.
Green onions (2, thinly sliced): Brighten the presentation and add a peppery zip to every bite.
Grated daikon radish (1 tablespoon, optional): Refreshing and juicy, this traditional garnish brings contrasting flavor and texture.
Grated ginger (1 teaspoon): Lends fragrant warmth and gentle heat to finish the dish.
Bonito flakes and nori strips (optional): For even more umami and a deliciously oceanic flourish.

How to Make Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu

Step 1: Press the Tofu

Start by wrapping your tofu block in a clean kitchen towel, then set a gentle weight—like a small skillet or a can—on top. Let it press for about 15 to 20 minutes, which draws out excess water. This step is essential: it ensures you get the crisp, golden coating that makes Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu so scrumptious, rather than a soggy exterior.

Step 2: Cut and Coat

Once drained, slice the tofu into generous 1½-inch cubes. Gently pat them dry if needed, then roll each piece in cornstarch until evenly coated. Shake off any extra, as this helps you achieve that perfect, flaky crust without clumping. This layer is key to the final crunch!

Step 3: Air Fry the Tofu

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C)—just a quick three minutes does the trick. Arrange the coated tofu cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. A quick spray of neutral oil will encourage maximum golden crispiness. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping gently halfway through, until every cube is irresistible golden brown.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

While the tofu cooks, grab a small saucepan and combine the dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Once warm and fragrant, take it off the heat. This super savory sauce is what gives Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu its unmistakable flavor burst.

Step 5: Assemble and Garnish

Nestle the freshly air-fried tofu cubes into shallow serving bowls. Immediately pour a few spoonfuls of warm dashi sauce over them, letting the crust soak up some deliciousness while staying crisp. Finish with a shower of sliced green onions, a pinch of grated daikon and ginger, and, if you like, a handful of bonito flakes or nori strips. Serve right away while everything is still hot and at its crispy peak!

How to Serve Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu

Garnishes

Garnishing is where you get to play! Fluffy piles of green onions add freshness, grated daikon brings cool crunch, and a light scatter of grated ginger gives zingy warmth. If you want a touch more umami and visual flair, bonito flakes and nori strips are utterly delicious swirled on top. Each garnish makes the Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu look restaurant-worthy and taste even better.

Side Dishes

Pair your Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu with a simple bowl of steamed rice, a vibrant seaweed salad, or a plate of lightly sautéed greens. For a more substantial meal, add it to a bento box with pickled vegetables and miso soup. This tofu shines as both an appetizer and a side, bringing a delightful contrast to richer mains or other shareable Japanese-inspired dishes.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to make your Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu extra special? Try serving each tofu cube on a tasting spoon for elegant party bites, or top with tiny shiso leaves for a pop of color. Layer all the garnishes artfully in a large shallow platter for a dramatic, shareable presentation, or tuck the tofu into steamed buns for a playful modern twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (though it’s hard to imagine!), transfer any extra tofu and sauce to a sealed container after cooling to room temperature. Store the sauce and tofu separately if possible, to help preserve the tofu’s crisp exterior. Enjoy within 2 to 3 days for the best taste and texture.

Freezing

While tofu can be frozen, Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu is best enjoyed fresh for optimal crunch. If you must freeze, lay the fried cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge and reheat to restore a bit of crispiness.

Reheating

For the crispiest results, pop leftover tofu cubes back in the air fryer for 4 to 5 minutes at 375°F. If you’re in a hurry, a few minutes in a hot oven or toaster oven does the trick. Microwave reheating softens the coating, but a quick stint under the broiler can bring back some crunch.

FAQs

Can I make Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely! For a vegan version, simply skip the bonito flakes and use a plant-based dashi (kombu and shiitake work beautifully). All other ingredients are naturally vegan or can be swapped with suitable alternatives.

Is there a substitute for dashi broth?

If you can’t find dashi, you can use a light vegetable stock for the sauce, though it will lack some of the signature umami. A shortcut: add a dash of soy sauce and a piece of kombu to hot water for a similar effect.

Do I really need to press the tofu?

Pressing tofu is essential to achieving that lovely crisp crust. It removes extra water, so the cornstarch coating sticks and the air fryer can work its magic. Skipping this step can lead to soggy results.

Can I pan-fry instead of using an air fryer?

Definitely! While Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu is fuss-free and light, you can still shallow-fry your coated tofu cubes in a skillet with a bit of oil. Just turn them gently to brown on all sides—though you may need to adjust the cooking time.

How can I make this gluten-free?

It’s easy to keep this dish gluten-free—just use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce, and double-check that your dashi base doesn’t contain wheat.

Final Thoughts

Once you try Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu, it just might become your new must-make appetizer or side. It’s a celebration of addictive crunch, silky tofu, and bold Japanese flavors—all without the hassle of deep frying. Give it a try, experiment with the garnishes, and let your air fryer transport you to izakaya heaven!

Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu Recipe

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4.8 from 7 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make delicious Air Fryer Agedashi Tofu at home with this easy recipe. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this Japanese-inspired dish is perfect as an appetizer or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Tofu:

1 block (14 ounces) firm or medium-firm tofu
¼ cup cornstarch

For Sauce:

½ cup dashi broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin
1 teaspoon sugar

Garnish:

2 green onions (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon grated daikon radish (optional)
1 teaspoon grated ginger
bonito flakes and nori strips for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Press Tofu: Wrap tofu in a clean towel with a weight on top for 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture.
Coat Tofu: Cut tofu into cubes, coat with cornstarch, and shake off excess.
Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
Air Fry Tofu: Place tofu in a single layer, air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway.
Prepare Sauce: Simmer dashi broth, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar in a saucepan.
Serve: Place tofu in bowls, pour sauce over, and garnish with green onions, daikon, ginger, and bonito flakes/nori. Serve hot.