Air Fryer Tofu and Vegetables

Air fryer tofu and vegetables is a fast, plant-based dinner with the feel of a stir-fry but the hands-off convenience of air frying. Firm tofu is coated with cornflour so the edges crisp as it cooks, while broccoli, red pepper and courgette soften without losing all their bite. Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and fresh ginger give the dish a savoury, aromatic base, with spring onion added at the end for freshness. It is best served straight from the basket while the tofu is hot and crisp, either on its own or with rice or noodles for a more substantial meal.
Cuisine style Soy-ginger vegan weeknight cooking
Cooking style Minimal cleanup • Meal prep friendly
Time commitment Under 30 minutes

Why this recipe works

  • Crisp-edged tofu: Cornflour gives the tofu a light coating that browns well in the circulating heat of the air fryer.
  • Fast weeknight cooking: Small-cut vegetables and tofu cubes cook in the same basket, keeping the total time comfortably under 30 minutes.
  • Simple savoury depth: Soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger coat the tofu and vegetables evenly for a bold, aromatic finish.

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Ingredient notes

  • Dry the tofu well: Patting the tofu dry before coating helps the cornflour cling and improves browning.
  • Keep the vegetables even: Cut the broccoli, pepper and courgette into similar-sized pieces so they become tender at the same time.
  • Grate the aromatics finely: Finely grated garlic and ginger spread through the coating more evenly and are less likely to catch in the air fryer.

Common mistakes

  • Overfilling the basket: A crowded basket traps steam and softens the tofu. Cook in batches if needed so the pieces sit in an even layer.
  • Taking the vegetables too far: Courgette and pepper soften quickly, so stop cooking once the tofu is crisp at the edges and the vegetables are just tender.

Make-ahead tips

  • Prep ahead, coat later: The tofu and vegetables can be cut in advance and kept chilled, but coat and season them just before air-frying for the best texture.
  • Reheat in the air fryer: Reheat leftovers at 190°C (375°F) until piping hot, shaking once so the tofu re-crisps slightly.
  • Best served straight away: The tofu is at its crispest immediately after cooking, while the vegetables are still hot and tender.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Pat the tofu dry, then cut into 2 cm cubes. Cut the broccoli into small florets, slice the red pepper, and cut the courgette into bite-size chunks. Finely grate the garlic and ginger, then thinly slice the spring onions.
  2. In a mixing bowl, toss the tofu with the cornflour until evenly coated. Add the broccoli, red pepper and courgette, then add the soy sauce and sesame oil along with the garlic and ginger. Toss well so everything is lightly coated.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for 3 minutes. Tip the tofu and vegetables into the basket in an even layer; cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 12 to 14 minutes, shaking halfway, until the tofu is crisp at the edges and the vegetables are tender.
  4. Tip everything into a serving bowl and scatter over the spring onion. Taste and serve straight away while hot.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the best crisping, keep the tofu and vegetables in a single layer; if your basket is small, cook in two batches.
  • Cut the vegetables to similar sizes so they finish cooking at the same time.
  • If serving anyone vulnerable, use tofu and soy sauce that have been handled and stored correctly, and serve the dish piping hot.

Substitutions

  • Replace Broccoli with Cauliflower florets for a similar cook time and texture.
  • Replace Soy sauce with Light soy sauce for a slightly lighter, saltier finish.
  • Replace Cornflour with Arrowroot starch for a similar crisp coating.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 190°C (375°F) for 4 to 6 minutes, shaking once, until piping hot; the tofu will re-crisp slightly.

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Air Fryer Tofu and Vegetables
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 25min (12min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Fusion
  • Allergens:
    Sesame Soybeans
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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