This Thai Tofu Noodle Bowl has air fried tofu to make it lovely and crispy, with rice noodles and veggies plus a delicious Thai peanut sauce for the noodle salad. It's vegan, gluten free and ready in just 25 minutes!
This noodle bowl is bursting with Thai flavours. It's sooo quick and easy to make in just 25 minutes.
The crispy Thai tofu is really simple to make and it's a great protein to add to this vegan noodle bowl.
The rice noodles are tossed with thinly sliced vegetables, then they're all tossed in a simple flavourful peanut sauce.
Top the noodle salad with the air fried tofu, sprinkle on some herbs and peanuts and give it a squeeze of lime.
Voila - a quick, easy and delicious healthy meal.
Recently, I used my air fryer to make some delicious Vegetarian Tacos. I've loved using my air fryer since then for all sorts of recipes, but particularly to make super crispy air fryer tofu.
NOTE: If you don't have an air fryer (get one!!), then you can make the Thai Tofu in the oven.
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Noodle Salad Tips
- Feel free to swap the veggies for your favourites! Zucchini (courgette) spiralized works well, as does other bell peppers, spring onions etc...
- You can slice the veggies thinly with a knife, or use a spiralizer or food processor.
- If you don't like rice noodles and you're not gluten free, swap for wheat noodles or linguine.
- Try adding more flavor with some fragrant lemongrass, galangal or Tha 7-spice.
- Looking for other quick International vegan dinners? Try my red lentil dhal or Spanish beans.
- Check out these other Vegan Thai Recipes.
Air Fried Tofu
If you think you don't like tofu, then trust me - you've just not had it cooked correctly. It's like a flavour sponge, so you need to get some firm tofu, squeeze out any excess moisture and then season it up.
I start with a base of cornflour/cornstarch as it helps to absorb any moisture, then add lots of flavourings to give the fairy neutral tasting tofu loads of taste.
Just toss the tofu cubes in the mixture then place them into the air fryer and turn it on!
After ten minutes, check them and give them a stir, then close the lid and cook for a further ten minutes.
So easy and they take a lot less oil (or even no oil) rather than baking or frying the tofu!
Air Fryer Tofu Tips
- The air fryer uses hot air to cook the tofu so it gets crispy on the outside and stays soft and chewy on the inside.
- Try it with other seasonings or add a bit of chilli for more of a kick
- If you're oil-free, the tofu still gets perfectly crispy without oil.
- Be sure to use the cornstarch/cornflour. That's what makes it super crispy!
- You can also make air fryer tofu with a wet marinade. Just marinade the tofu cubes in a few tablespoons, then toss it with the cornflour (cornstarch) and air fry!
- Try it with Thai curry paste mixed with a little oil or water. Or even just a bit of soy sauce or tamari (gluten free).
- To cook the Thai Tofu in the oven, preheat it to 175C/350F, spread the prepared tofu onto a baking tray, drizzle with a little oil and bake for 30 mins, turning halfway through.
How to make Thai Air Fryer Tofu
Step 1: Add the cornstarch, ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, ground ginger and dried chilli flakes into a bowl and mix.
Step 2: Add the cubes of firm tofu and coat. Place into the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, then stir and cook for a further 10 minutes or until crispy.
Peanut Sauce Tips
- It's still tasty without any hot sauce or chilli flakes if you don't like heat. Just leave it out.
- Use crunchy or smooth peanut butter - both work great.
- If you're gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- If you aren't vegan, you could substitute honey for the maple syrup.
- You can substitute dried chilli flakes, cayenne pepper or other hot sauce for the Sriracha sauce. Add to taste.
How to make Peanut Sauce
Step 1: Add the peanut butter, soy sauce (or tamari for gluten free), lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and sriracha sauce to a bowl.
Step 2: Mix well then drizzle onto the noodle salad and toss slightly to coat.
What is an Air Fryer?
An Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying food.
Instead of deep-frying or shallow frying, both of which use lots of oil, an air fryer uses circulated hot air to cook the food, allowing you to use little or no oil.
An air fryer is essentially a small electric convection oven that sits on your countertop.
When it circulates hot air inside the machine, food gets crispy, similarly to fried food, but without submerging the food in all the greasy oil!
Why Should I Use an Air Fryer?
I am a huge fan of the Air Fryer for so many reasons!
- It's healthier since it uses a LOT less oil than pan-frying or deep frying.
- Air Frying cooks food FAST.
- You don't need to heat the oven, so the house stays cool on warm days.
- It's EASY to use and quick to clean up.
More Air Fryer Recipes
I hope you love this Air Fried Tofu in a Thai Noodle Bowl. Be sure to check out these other recipes too!
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📖 Recipe
Thai Noodle Bowl with Air Fried Tofu and Peanut Sauce
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
Ingredients
For the air fryer tofu
- 1 ½ cups (300g) firm tofu cubed
- 1 tablespoon cornflour
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of dried chilli flakes chopped finely
- 1 tablespoon oil
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter smooth or crunchy
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- Juice of ½ lime
- 2 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger
- Sriracha chili sauce to taste
For the Thai noodle salad
- 3.5 oz (100g) thick rice noodles (or thin vermicelli)
- ¼ of a red cabbage thinly sliced
- 2 carrots spiralized or julienned into thin matchsticks
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced into matchsticks
To garnish (optional):
- Spring onion scallions chopped
- Black and white sesame seeds
- Coriander cilantro
- Peanuts chopped
- Dried chilli flakes I like to chop them up finely
- Wedges of lime
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the cornflour and spices. Chop the tofu into cubes and gently toss them in the spice mixture.
- Add them to the bowl of the air fryer with 1 tablespoon oil and cook for 10 minutes, then turn and cook for a further 10 minutes or until crispy.
Meanwhile, prepare the dressing and noodle salad.
- For the dressing, whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
- For the salad, place the rice noodles into a bowl and cover with boiling water until soft (usually 5 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water then set aside.
- Cut all the vegetables into thin long matchsticks, or use a spiralizer.
- Toss the vegetables and noodles in the dressing and add to serving plates. Top with the tofu and desired garnishes.
Notes
- The air fryer uses hot air to cook the tofu so it gets crispy on the outside and stays soft and chewy on the inside.
- Try it with other seasonings or add a bit of chilli for more of a kick
- If you're oil-free, the tofu still gets perfectly crispy without oil.
- Be sure to use the cornstarch/cornflour. That's what makes it super crispy!
- You can also make air fryer tofu with a wet marinade. Just marinade the tofu cubes in a few tablespoons, then toss it with the cornflour (cornstarch) and air fry!
- Try it with Thai curry paste mixed with a little oil or water. Or even just a bit of soy sauce or tamari (gluten free).
- OVEN METHOD - To cook the Thai Tofu in the oven, preheat it to 175C/350F, spread the prepared tofu onto a baking tray, drizzle with a little oil and bake for 30 mins, turning halfway through.
- It's still tasty without any hot sauce or chilli flakes if you don't like heat. Just leave it out.
- If you're gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- If you aren't vegan, you could substitute honey for the maple syrup.
- You can substitute dried chilli flakes, cayenne pepper or other hot sauce for the Sriracha sauce. Add to taste.
- Feel free to swap the veggies for your favourites! Zucchini (courgette) spiralized works well, as does other bell peppers, spring onions etc...
- You can slice the veggies thinly with a knife, or use a spiralizer or food processor.
- If you don't like rice noodles and you're not gluten free, swap for wheat noodles or linguine.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Jane Gorton
Fantastic recipe, thank you x Air fryer tofu is amazing!
Aimee Moyes
I feel like I might have to buy this air-fryer just to try these recipes! Everything looks so crispy and delicious!
Kerrie-ann Fitzpatrick
Thank god it’s doesn’t end up all brown!
Shannon Williams
cooking with vegtables is lots of fun in my family meals you have some great ideas
Carol Thomas
Thiz looks fab with so much colour
Super Busy Mum
OK, I'm not vegan NOR do I like peanuts in my food, haha, but I cannot deny how incredibly delicious this looks!
Kara
I really want an actifry - I have the cook4me and the acti grill and use them all the time
Jenni
This looks incredible and I’m trying to eat less meat too
Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels
This looks delicious - I have heard so many good things about the Actifry, this is a great giveaway. Kaz
kirsty
For a quick and easy recipe that doesnt take much time to make in the evenings is something I am always looking out for. I've never tried to make my own peanut sauce and didn't realise it was that simple to do! I do love the sound of a thai noodle bowl and love the look of colours
Michelle Murray
Looks amazing and a fab giveaway too. Thanks
Elizabeth
Oh my goodness I don't think I've ever seen tofu look so good! I'm not a vegan, but I'm seriously salivating at the sound of this gorgeous recipe!
Urvashee
Wow. These photos look amazing. I knew there's a reason to get an air fryer. Tofu! I'm pinning this recipe.
Natalie
This plate looks so colorful and full of flavors. I absolutely love it. I must give it a try. So I'm saving this recipe for later.
Sonal
This is one of fav kind of food to stuff myself with. And to top that air fried tofu is a fab idea. It looks so colorful.
kim
What a brilliant recipe! I love that this can be made in the air fryer!
Mary Bostow
This was such a lovely fresh dinner option with a second serving all packaged up for work tomorrow! great recipe!
Vicky
This looks amazingly tasty! I'll have to try air fried tofu in my airfryer!
Rebecca
I love the look of this, as I love Thai food. i quite like the sound of the airfry for tofu as I don't like it when it is 'soggy' if that makes sense x