These vibrant Air Fryer Tofu Poke Bowls bring a healthful Hawaiian-inspired feast to your table in just 40 minutes. Crispy tofu cubes, perfectly crisped in the air fryer, sit atop a bed of fluffy rice alongside fresh vegetables for a protein-packed meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
With 23g of protein and loaded with heart-healthy fats, these colorful bowls offer a delicious way to enjoy plant-based eating without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Tofu Poke Bowls
- Extra Firm Tofu (8 oz): One whole block, must be extra firm for best texture
- Sesame Oil (2 tbsp): Adds rich, nutty flavor to the marinade
- Soy Sauce (2 tbsp): Creates savory depth in marinade
- Garlic (1 clove): Minced fresh for aromatic punch
- Ginger (1 tsp): Freshly grated for zesty kick
- Cornstarch (1 tbsp): Essential for achieving crispy exterior
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Tofu: Press wrapped tofu under weight for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture
- Create Marinade: Combine sesame oil, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl until well mixed
- Marinate: Cut tofu into cubes, pour half marinade over tofu, let sit 15 minutes minimum
- Cornstarch Coating: Sprinkle cornstarch over tofu, shake in covered container for even coating
- Air Frying: Heat to 375˚F, arrange tofu in single layer, cook 10 minutes until golden
- Assembly: Layer rice, cabbage, avocado, carrot, cucumber, edamame, and crispy tofu
- Finishing: Top with toasted sesame seeds, drizzle remaining marinade, serve with lime
Air Fryer Success Tips
Hey there! Let me share some super helpful tips for getting the crispiest, tastiest tofu in your air fryer. The magic really happens in the pressing step – the drier your tofu, the crunchier it’ll get! If you’re short on time, you can press it between paper towels and add a bit more weight on top. When you’re shaking the basket during cooking, be gentle so the cornstarch coating stays put. A quick spritz of oil on the basket helps prevent sticking too!
Make It Your Own
This poke bowl is so fun to customize! Don’t have edamame? Try green peas or snap peas instead. The marinade works great with other add-ins too – try adding a splash of rice vinegar or a squirt of sriracha for extra zip. If you’re not feeling rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice make awesome bases. And for the veggies, anything crunchy and fresh works – try shredded red cabbage, radishes, or bell peppers!
Storing and Reheating
Your crispy tofu will stay yummy in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it separately from the fresh veggies and sauce to keep everything fresh. When you’re ready to eat, pop the tofu back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F to bring back that amazing crunch. The marinade can be stored in a little container for 5 days – give it a good shake before using!
Meal Prep Magic
These bowls are perfect for lunch prep! Make a big batch of tofu and rice on Sunday, then pack them in containers with your fresh veggies on the side. Keep the avocado whole until you’re ready to eat (it’ll stay fresher that way). Pack the extra marinade in tiny containers or sauce cups, and you’ve got amazing lunches ready to go!
Air Fryer Tofu Poke Bowls
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Tea Towel
Ingredients
Tofu Ingredients
- 8 oz Extra firm tofu Normally 1 block
- 2 tbsp Sesame oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Press the block of tofu by wrapping it in a tea towel and placing something heavy on top to absorb moisture. Leave for at least 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, make the marinade by combining sesame oil, soy sauce, and minced garlic.
- Transfer the tofu to a chopping board and cut it into cubes.
- Place the tofu into a container with a lid, then pour over half of the marinade, reserving the other half for later. Allow the tofu to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the marinated tofu, then place the lid on the container and shake it around so each piece of tofu gets fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375˚F (190˚C). Add the tofu cubes in a single layer to the basket. Cook for 10 minutes or until golden and crispy on each side, shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Add the rice to the serving bowl and top it with cabbage, avocado, carrot, cucumber, edamame, and air fryer tofu. Finish with toasted sesame and remaining marinade. Serve with a wedge of lime.