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A bowl of cilantro lime marinated tofu over rice.

Cilantro Lime Marinated Tofu

Print Recipe
Got limes? Make cilantro lime marinated tofu. Bursting with flavours of zippy lime, sweet, citrusy cilantro, and a hit of garlic, this air fryer tofu comes out perfectly crispy with a satisfying chew.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Mexican, Universal
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Marinate Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 231
Author Jessica Hylton

Ingredients

  • 1 lb extra-firm tofu pressed for 30 minutes and torn into chunks, 454g
  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil 80ml
  • ¼ cup cilantro minced, 15g
  • 2 large cloves garlic minced, 6g
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice 30ml
  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder 2g
  • ½ teaspoon maple syrup 3ml, plus more if needed
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher sea salt 4g, plus a pinch more on top after cooking if needed
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 0.5g

Instructions

  • In a medium-size bowl, place the pressed and cubed or torn tofu.
  • Add in all the marinade ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Let the tofu marinate for at least 1 hour, but up to 3 days.
  • Shake off the excess marinade (reserve this for the end) and place your tofu in the air fryer in a single row, so that all the tofu has a little bit of space around each piece.
  • Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket after 5 minutes, then continuing to cook until tofu is fried golden.
  • Remove after tofu is cooked. Plate, top with your reserved marinade, serve alongside rice and enjoy!

Notes

  • 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 give the tofu a more satisfying chew. 
  • Don't cut the marinade time short. Let the tofu sit in the marinade for at least 1 hour, ideally 24 hours for the best flavour. 
  • Don't crowd the air fryer. Make sure the tofu pieces have plenty of space between them in the basket of the air fryer. If the basket is too crowded, the tofu will steam rather than crisp up.
  • Storage. 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 or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating at 350°F (180°C) in the oven or the air fryer.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 116IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg