Cilantro Lime Marinated Tofu

Everything I Love About This Vegan Cilantro Lime Tofu

If you’ve got a hankering for some seriously flavourful tofu, this recipe deserves your attention. Here’s why I’m obsessed:

• Cilantro and lime just go together, and that’s what this marinade is all about. The bright tang of the lime pairs perfectly with the fresh, almost citrusy notes of the cilantro. Add some garlic in there to wake things up even more, and a little cumin to round out the flavours, and you’ll want to pour this marinade over everything.
• I am a big fan of throwing tofu in the air fryer. When the tofu is properly pressed and thoughtfully marinated (like I did here), the air fryer turns it into perfectly crisp, golden-brown nuggets of protein-packed goodness. Each and every piece gets the perfect amount of crispy-crunchy on the outside with a tender, satisfyingly chewy interior.
• You can let this tofu sit in the marinade for up to 3 days before you cook it up in the air fryer, so it’s an awesome option for those of you looking to get ahead of your weekly cooking. Then, once it’s in the air fryer, it only takes 10-15 minutes to crisp up.

Notes on Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy marinated tofu. For precise measurements, please see the recipe card below.

• Extra-firm tofu – Pressed for at least 30 minutes (see my post on The Best Tips on Making the Most Delicious Tofu to see how it’s done) and torn into chunks. Definitely stick with extra-firm tofu. Softer forms won’t hold their shape as well through marinating and air frying.
• Extra-virgin olive oil – If you prefer avocado oil or refined coconut oil, you can use that.
• Cilantro – Fresh and minced. Dried cilantro/coriander leaves won’t work here.
• Garlic – Finely minced for even flavour distribution. You could use garlic powder in a pinch, but I highly recommend fresh garlic.
• Lime juice – Squeezed straight from the lime. Bottled lime juice tends to be overly acidic.
• Lime zest – Zested straight from the fruit.
• Seasonings – Ground cumin, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes (optional).
• Maple syrup – Just a little bit to break up the acidity and make the flavour profile a bit more dynamic.

How to Make Cilantro Lime Marinated Tofu

I really appreciate the simplicity of this recipe. Just a little prep, some marinating, and a quick zap in the air fryer. Here’s how it’s done (see the recipe card below for more detailed instructions):

• Season the tofu. Add the torn tofu, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, seasonings, and maple syrup to a bowl. Toss to coat the tofu in the marinade.
• Marinade. Cover the bowl and let the tofu marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 3 days).

• Load the air fryer. Shake off the excess marinade (reserve it for later) and spread the tofu in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer.
• Air fry. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes, until the tofu is golden.
• Finishing touches. Transfer the tofu to a plate, top with the reserved marinade, and serve over rice.

Expert Tips

• Press the tofu. Before you begin this recipe, be sure to press your tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove excess moisture. This will help the tofu absorb the flavours from the marinade better and will help give it that substantial, chewy texture you’re looking for. I have a whole post on Tips on Making the Most Delicious Tofu, which explains more about how to press tofu and why it’s important.
• Be gentle. When tossing the tofu with the marinade, be gentle. You don’t want it to crumble.
• Don’t cut the marinade time short. Let the tofu sit in the marinade for at least 1 hour, ideally 24 hours. The longer it sits, the more it’ll absorb the tangy, flavourful goodness of the marinade.
• Preheat the air fryer. If you think of it, preheat the air fryer for a couple of minutes before you load the basket with tofu. This will help your tofu pieces crisp up a bit better.
• Don’t crowd the air fryer. Spread the tofu out in the basket of the air fryer so the pieces have a little space between them. If the basket is too crowded, the tofu will steam rather than crisp up. If you need to fry in batches, go for it.

How to Serve Cilantro Lime Tofu

I usually serve this easy marinated tofu over a generous scoop of Jasmine Rice topped with some of the leftover marinade. If you want to get a little fancier, though, you could serve it over Vegan Puerto Rican Rice and Beans or Cauliflower Rice if you’re watching your carbs. You can also load it into tacos with some avocado and black beans (maybe even the chipotle crema from my Cauliflower Tacos Recipe). It would also be a great topper for these Vegan Burrito Bowls. All in all, this tofu is a great source of protein that’ll complement most south-of-the-border dishes.

Storing Leftovers

• Refrigerator: Once cooled to room temperature, seal the cilantro lime tofu in an airtight container along with any remaining marinade. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: You can also seal fully cooled marinated tofu in an airtight, freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the fridge before reheating.
• To reheat: Spread your leftover tofu in a single layer over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or into the basket of an air fryer) and bake (or air fry) at 350°F (180°) for 5-10 minutes or until warm. You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated through.

More Tofu Recipes to Try

Discover more unique, flavourful ways to do up your tofu with these recipes:

• Tofu Egg Salad
• Kung Pao Tofu
• Fluffy Tofu Scramble
• Fried Tofu
• General Tso Tofu

Enjoy friends! If you make this cilantro lime marinated tofu, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!