If you are a regular reader of this blog, you may have noticed that I like to deep fry things. So when I kept seeing other food bloggers make fantastic things with something called an “air fryer” I kind of thought, I don’t need that. But wait, did I?
Yes. Yes, I did.
Since I got one a few months ago, I use it daily for heating up burritos, Gardein products, toast, bagels, vegetables, etc. Air fryers take all of the good qualities that a microwave and an oven has that doesn’t require preheating, result in sogginess or turn your kitchen into an oven in the summer. It crisps and browns most food perfectly and evenly, so it’s fast become my go-to way of cooking.
Ever since I saw Bon Appétit’s Best Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe last year, I’ve been wanting to veganize it and was curious to see whether my air fryer would give me that delicious, crispy coating with just a spray of oil. It did, it was delicious, and so I’m really excited to share this recipe with you!
This tofu is delicious on a sandwich, but could also be tossed in this gochujang glaze or the array of sauces found here, served with mashed potatoes, this kale, or mac and cheese!
Air-Fried Buttermilk Tofu
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This buttermilk-battered tofu recipe is inspired by Bon Appétit’s Best Fried Chicken Sandwich recipe. This version replaces the chicken with tofu and the deep frying with air frying.
Ingredients
for the tofu
- 8 oz. block of firm or medium-firm tofu, cut lengthwise into 4 slices (no need to press it)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
for the dry ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups AP flour
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 TB garlic powder
- 1 TB onion powder
- 1 TB salt
- 1 TB paprika
- 2 tsp cayenne
for the wet ingredients
- 1 cup soymilk, with 2 tsp apple cider vinegar whisked in
- 2 TB Follow Your Heart VeganEgg powder, blended with 1/2 cup ice cold water
- 2 TB bourbon
- 1 TB hot sauce
Spray oil
for the sambal-mayo
- 1/2 cup vegan mayo (I like Vegenaise or Just Mayo)
- 1 TB to 1/4 cup sambal, depending on how spicy you like it
to assemble and serve
- 1/4 red onion, sliced thinly or mandolined (soak in a little hot water if you don’t like raw onion. Pat dry.)
- 2 cups of red and/or green cabbage
- 1 jalepeno, sliced thinly
- bread and butter pickles
- hamburger buns
- Earth Balance, for toasting the buns
Instructions
to prepare the tofu
- Place the tofu slabs on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet. Season both sides with the salt and pepper and allow to sit out or chill for an hour.
- Combine all of the dry ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
- Combine all of the wet ingredients together in a separate medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
- Working one piece at a time, coat the tofu evenly in the dry mixture, tapping off any extra and placing it back onto the wire rack.
- Pour 3 tablespoons of the wet mixture into the dry mixture and combine with your hands.
- Working one piece at a time, dunk the tofu into the wet mixture, then pack the moistened flour mixture firmly around it.
- Return the battered tofu back onto the wire rack and place into the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
- To fry, spray the tofu slabs evenly with cooking spray. Place into the air fryer at 400 degrees and cook for 10 minutes, flipping the slabs over halfway through the cooking time. Apply a little more spray over any areas that look dry and cook for an additional minute or two if needed to achieve a deeply golden color all over.
to serve
- Spread a little vegan butter over both sides of the buns and toast in a cast iron pan over medium heat until nice and crispy. You can also toast the buns in the air fryer at 350 for a few minutes … just keep an eye on them to prevent them from getting too crispy.
- Serve immediately, piled with the red onion, cabbage, jalepeno, pickles and sambal mayo.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Battered, Chilled, Air Fried
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: battered tofu, air-fried tofu, buttermilk-battered tofu, fried tofu, fried tofu sandwich
Pia says
You know, while I don’t really crave “junk” food often, I know that the next time I do get the munchies there’s a great chance that I will be making this ah-mazing looking burger. I just have two questions though, if you don’t mind: 1. what would you suggest I sub for the vegegg and 2. do you think making these in a convection oven would be worth a try (after all, I feel like that’s what I feel these air-friers do. or am I mistaken?) ?
As always, thanks for the awesome recipe, and I hope you’re having a good week 🙂
erinwyso says
Pia, I’ve only made this with a VeganEgg, but maybe Ener-G or just leaving it out will work? As far as baking it in the oven, if you try that with good results, I’d love to know!
Pia says
That’s what I thought, to be honest. But anyway, should the day I try this ever come, I will let you know! (I promise :))
Dawn says
You never stop making me drool!!! ?
erinwyso says
Thanks Dawn!! 🙂
Dinorah Costa says
This looks delish! I HAVE to try it!! Do you have recommendations for buying an air fryer? What specs should one look for? Thanks!
erinwyso says
Dinorah, the brand I used is linked in the text above, but I include it here as well:
https://www.gowiseproducts.com/collections/air-fryer/products/4th-generation-electric-air-fryer-3-2-qt-gw22621
Good luck with finding one — I think there are lots of good brands out there!
JO says
I just purchased a Paul Deen Air Fryer…….. not plastic like the competitors products. Nice size metal basket and the final products turns out nice. I’ve made chicken and today tofu. Purchased my on line, Evine…. look for a good deal.
Beth Ann says
Erin I have been wanting an air fryer and pretty sure you have convinced me to get one! Which one do you recommend ?
erinwyso says
Beth,
The brand I used is linked in the blog text above, and in the comment above this one. I’ve only used this brand, so I can’t say if it’s “the best” but I like it so far!
Marie says
Wow, I made the recipe and I’m impressed at how crispy and delicious it is! This was the tofu recipe for the air fryer I was waiting for.
Just a question : how come we only need 3 tablespoons of wet mixture if we made 1cup+ of it? The instructions don’t seem very clear.
erinwyso says
Marie,
Glad you liked, thanks for your feedback!
The wet mixture is used in two ways: to dunk the floured tofu into (#6) and to just slightly moisten the dry (#5). If you don’t feel you need that much wet mixture, you can always half it or double the amount of tofu to make a larger batch. Hope this answers your question. 🙂
Marie says
Oh, I get it now. Thank you for clarifying 🙂
Christine ( Run Plant Based) says
Oh my, this looks fabulous! I have yet to get into the world of air frying, but I need to try this. Thanks!
★★★★★
Johanne says
It’s great that you experimenting with uses for Follow Your heart egg. My hubby loves the stuff and I have wondered what other applications it has. This sandwich looks great! Perhaps you’ll make an air fried “fish” and chip plate next. -all the best Hanne
Amy says
I see in the assembly to add pickles, but don’t see them on the list of ingredients. What kind of pickle do you recommend?
erinwyso says
Amy, I updated the recipe with bread and butter pickles here, but use whatever you like!
Linda DeNoyer says
Please let me help you rewrite your sentence, “Air fryers take all of the good qualities that a microwave and an oven has that doesn’t require preheating, result in sogginess or turn your kitchen into an oven in the summer.”
Would this be better? “Air fryers have all of the good qualities of a microwave plus an oven, but they don’t require preheating, result in sogginess, or turn your kitchen into a steam chamber in the summer.”
Thandi says
Made this today … first time using my new air fryer too. Now … my tofu did not come out beautifully browned like pictured BUT it tasted DELICIOUS! I added too much liquid to the dry ingredients and it became a bit pastey and clumpy. I did manage to coat the tofu as well as I could and enough to brown and the fryer cooked it beautifully. The mixture was so flavorful. I will make it again and LOVE the air fryer! Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration Erin.
★★★★★
erinwyso says
Thandi, I’m so happy you liked, and made your first time trying an air fryer good one. You’ll find that it can do a lot more soon … it’s well worth the space it takes up! Thanks for your kind feedback. 🙂
Ann vanvleck says
This was delishes…so good I ate the entire thing. I used my fry baby instead. Probably a 1,500 meal since I ate it all. I love your site and thanks.
Terri thomas says
This was delicious. Crispy and spicy. I didn’t have the egg powder but used aquafaba instead and it worked out great.
erinwyso says
Terri, so happy the aquafaba worked here — thanks for your feedback and glad you enjoyed!
sarah says
Can I ask how much Aquafaba you used?
A says
looks delicious!! Do you think it would work with gluten free AP flour?
erinwyso says
I haven’t tried with gluten-free flour, so I can’t say for sure … but if you do with good results, I’d love to know!