Crispy Air-Fried Tofu with Spicy Garlic Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-12 · Updated 2026-05-12

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Golden air-fried tofu cubes tossed in a bold, spicy garlic sauce, offering a satisfying plant-based dish with a perfect balance of heat and umami. This Asian-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs firm tofu, cornstarch, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz block, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp sesame oil
4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tsp honey
1 tsp sriracha sauce
2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
as needed vegetable oil spray
1/2 tsp salt

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Instructions

Step 1: Press 14 oz firm tofu block for at least 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. Cut into 1-inch cubes and toss gently with 3 tbsp cornstarch and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly coated.
Step 2: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with vegetable oil spray. Arrange tofu cubes in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Air-fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tofu is golden and crispy.
Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
Step 4: Add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp honey, and 1 tsp sriracha sauce to the skillet. Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Step 5: Transfer crispy tofu cubes to a large bowl, pour the spicy garlic sauce over them, and toss gently to coat evenly.
Step 6: Garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving warm.