Crispy Air Fryer Firecracker Tofu
This Air Fryer Firecracker Tofu is crispy, spicy, and so easy to make! Dip it in a homemade vegan firecracker sauce for the ultimate flavor combo! This tofu recipe is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and can be made both in an air-fryer and in the oven.
Servings: 6
Calories: 588kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 block extra firm tofu
Breading Station
- 1/4 cup vegan butter
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo
- 3 tbsp sriracha
- 2 tsp garlic powder divided
- A few Cracks of black pepper
- 1/3 cup of flour*
- 1 cup bread crumbs (I love using panko)
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
Firecracker sauce
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo
- 1-2 tbsp milk of choice **
- 3-4 tbsp sriracha
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Fresh cracked pepper *to taste
Instructions
Prepping the Tofu
- Start with pressing the tofu to remove excess water. Press the tofu with a heavy object like a pan with a few books on top, or see tips above.
- Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes.
Prep the Breading Station
- Set up the breading station. You will need three shallow dishes. Arrange the dishes from left to right.
- 1st dish: add the flour.
- 2nd dish: add vegan mayo, vegan melted butter, sriracha, 1 tsp garlic powder, and freshly cracked black pepper. Whisk until evenly combined.
- 3rd dish: add the panko crumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, and red chili flakes. Stir well with a fork.
Making the Firecracker Tofu
- Dunk the tofu cubes in the flour and shake off any excess flour.
- Dip it in the mayo mixture and make sure it coats all sides of the tofu.
- Roll it in the panko bread crumbs and coat all sides. Press the breadcrumbs into the tofu to make sure it sticks.
- Repeat the steps for all the tofu.
- Spray the air-fryer basket with oil and place the tofu in it. Make sure the tofu bites don’t touch each other for the best crispy surface.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F for 3-5 minutes and fry the tofu for 10-15 minutes or till desired crispiness****If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the tofu in a 400F preheated oven for 15 minutes. Flip them after half the time.
Firecracker Dipping Sauce
- In a bowl, combine vegan mayo, milk of choice, sriracha, soy sauce, red chili flakes, black pepper, and one minced clove of garlic. Mix well and chill until it’s time to serve the air-fried firecracker tofu.
Notes
* I used gluten-free flour, you can also use all-purpose flour or oat flour
** Add more or less milk depending on the consistency of the mayo mixture. You want it to be medium thick. Not too runny or too solid
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 588kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 25g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 2129mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 16g