Air-Fried Salt and Pepper Tofu with Sizzling Sesame Oil
Salt and pepper tofu is a vegan alternative to the popular Chinese dish. The tofu is briefly marinated then air fried instead of pan fried for a healthier meal.
1Press the tofu between sheets of paper towels then let stand for 10 minutes to dry out. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
2Place the soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and vegetable oil in a large bowl and whisk to combine.
3Set the oven to Air Fry, Super Convection, 425°F, for 15 minutes and press Start to preheat. Meanwhile, continue to the next step.
4Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. Add to the marinade and gently stir to coat. Let stand for 5 minutes to marinate, stirring occasionally.
5Drain the tofu. To absorb the excess marinade and avoid it dripping during cooking, lay paper towels on a cutting board and place the air fry basket on top. Arrange the tofu in a single layer in the basket. For even airflow, ensure the pieces are not touching.
6Once preheated, place the basket in rack position 3 and cook for 15 minutes.
7The tofu should be browned. If not, cook it a little longer.
8Place a small saucepan over high heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil. When it just begins to smoke, add the onions and chili and cook stirring, for 2 minutes, or until starting to brown. Add the remaining garlic, salt, pepper and sesame seeds and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Transfer to a large heatproof bowl.