Air Fryer Tofu Bowls with Ginger-Lime Aioli

Enjoy a delicious fusion of flavors with these air fryer tofu bowls with ginger-lime aioli. After bathing in a sesame soy marinade, we’re air frying tofu to gloriously crisp perfection. This firm tofu is crispy on the outside but tender on the inside. Next, our air fried tofu is paired with a rainbow of phytonutrient-rich vegetables. Finally, everything gets a generous drizzle of ginger-lime aioli for a vegetarian dinner that’s difficult to resist.

We’re on day 6 of my week of air fryer recipe awesomeness! Let me tell you, this recipe for air fried firm tofu is one you don’t want to miss. It’s fantastic, and I think one reason for that is the type of tofu that I used.

Do you see in these pictures how this tofu has a lot more nooks and crannies than the tofu used in the smoked tofu recipe? The tofu here isn't cut into neat blocks like my smoked tofu was.

The reason for that is because the extra-firm tofu I planned to air fry was substituted in my grocery order. Instead, they sent a package of The Bridge firm tofu.

The Bridge tofu reminds me of the tofu we used to buy back when we were vegans a couple of decades ago. It needed more pressing than the extra-firm tofu.

Also, it lacks the structural integrity that some of the more popular tofu brands have. As you can see in the recipe video below, I couldn’t cut it into neat cubes. Instead, I had to cut it into large, uneven pieces.

Though this tofu isn’t picture-perfect, all of the exposed surface area meant the marinade was easily absorbed all over each piece. What it lacked in aesthetics, it gained in flavor!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Tofu Ever

So, my first tip, in case this was not obvious, is to get your hands on some The Bridge firm tofu. That’s one of the best ways to ensure you get the great results that I did.

Second, even though some reviews say you do not need to press this tofu, you definitely should press your tofu! I have a red cheese press that I picked up on Amazon that works well for tofu. The old-school method of pressing your tofu between two weighted plates works too.

Pressing tofu pushes the water out so that more flavorful marinade can be absorbed. I found this firm tofu to be quite watery out of the package. Maximize the flavor of this dish by pressing the tofu the morning you plan to air fry it.

After pressing, you’re going to want to let the tofu sit in the marinade for a few hours. It should absorb all of the marinade if you’ve pressed it well.

If it’s a weekday, press the tofu in the morning while you shower. Then let it marinate in the fridge all day while you’re away at work. When you get home, all you’ll have to do is pop your tofu in an air fryer, chop veggies, and whisk together the aioli.

Once you marinate the tofu, everything comes together quickly. The whole family enjoyed this satisfying, health-promoting meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight. I hope this air fry tofu dish changes any negative feelings you might have had about tofu, and that you love it too!

And now for the disclaimer…

All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.

The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be wildly inaccurate, so please don't sweat the numbers too much.

For more information on how the three recipe levels may help with a weight management goal, refer to this post. Let's get cooking!

Do you dig plant-based recipes? If so, my vegan burrito bowls with citrus smoked tofu might be right up your alley. It's a delicious and high-energy dish with plenty of plant-based protein.

Another favorite plant-forward recipe of mine is cold gazpacho soup. Put those seasonal tomatoes and cucumbers to good use with this easy vegetarian dinner idea! Why use the oven in the heat of the summer if you don’t have to?

Have you ever tried air frying tofu? I’d love to hear about it if you try these air fryer tofu bowls with ginger-lime aioli. You can drop me a line in the comments below!