Air Fryer Night Market Style Iron Plate Tofu
Recreate popular night market iron plate tofu at home using an air fryer for a crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside treat that is low in calories and completely oil-free.
Night market iron plate tofu is a beloved street food classic known for its savory, spicy glaze and satisfying texture. By adapting the technique for the air fryer, you can achieve that signature charred exterior and tender bite at home with a fraction of the oil and calories.
Ingredients
- 1 block firm white tofu
- 1 spoonful chili oil
- 2 spoons light soy sauce
- 1 pinch barbecue seasoning
- to taste salt
- to taste sugar
- to taste white sesame seeds
- 1 dash sesame oil
- as needed cooking oil spray
Instructions
- 1Slice the firm tofu
Begin by placing a block of firm white tofu on a wooden cutting board. Use a large kitchen knife to carefully cut the tofu into thin, even rectangular slices. Slicing them uniformly ensures they will cook evenly and achieve a consistent crispy texture in the air fryer.
Tip: Firm tofu is essential for this recipe, as softer varieties contain too much water and are more likely to break apart when flipped. - 2Remove excess moisture
Lay the freshly cut tofu slices flat on the cutting board. Take clean white kitchen paper towels and press them firmly over the surface of the tofu pieces to absorb as much excess moisture as possible. Drying the tofu well is the secret to achieving a perfectly crispy exterior without deep-frying.
Tip: If you have extra time, you can let the tofu sit on the paper towels for 5 to 10 minutes to draw out even more water. - 3First roast in the air fryer
Line your air fryer basket with a sheet of parchment paper. Arrange the dried tofu slices flat inside the basket, making sure they are slightly spaced out and not overlapping. Place the basket into the air fryer and roast at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes.
Tip: Leaving a little space between each slice allows the hot air to circulate properly, giving the tofu a nice charred crust. - 4Prepare the seasoning sauce
While the tofu is roasting, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, combine one spoonful of chili oil, two spoons of light soy sauce, a bit of barbecue seasoning, and a pinch of salt and sugar to enhance the flavor. Sprinkle in white sesame seeds and a dash of sesame oil, then stir the mixture evenly.
Tip: Feel free to adjust the ratios of chili oil, sugar, and barbecue seasoning to perfectly match your personal taste. - 5Flip the tofu slices
After the first 10 minutes of roasting, the surface of the tofu should appear slightly charred and lightly browned. Carefully open the air fryer basket and use metal tongs to flip every piece of tofu over so the other side can roast evenly.
Tip: Be gentle when handling the tofu slices with the tongs, as they can still be slightly fragile before the second roast is complete. - 6Brush on the sauce and finish roasting
Spoon the prepared seasoning sauce over the flipped tofu pieces. Use a silicone brush to evenly spread the sauce across the surface of each slice. Lightly spray a little cooking oil over the top, then return the basket to the air fryer and roast at 200 degrees Celsius for another 10 minutes until crispy and flavorful.
Tip: Adding the sauce during the second half of roasting prevents the spices from burning while allowing the tofu to fully absorb the rich flavors. - 7Spray Oil and Final Roast
Spray a light coat of cooking oil onto the seasoned tofu slices. Continue to roast in the air fryer at 200 degrees for another 10 minutes until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Tip: A light spray of oil helps achieve that signature night-market crispy texture without deep-frying.
