Description
Crispy air fryer tofu milanesa brings Mexican street food charm straight to home kitchens with golden breaded perfection. Zesty seasonings and crunchy texture make this plant-based dish a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 14 ounces (397 grams) firm tofu
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) nutritional yeast
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare the air fryer by heating it to 400°F (200°C) while extracting moisture from the tofu through pressing for approximately 15 minutes.
- Create a crispy coating mixture by combining panko bread crumbs, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt in a shallow container.
- Develop a binding liquid by whisking almond milk with Dijon mustard in a separate bowl.
- Dredge each tofu slice thoroughly in the almond milk mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roll the moistened tofu pieces generously in the seasoned panko mixture, firmly pressing crumbs to create an even, adherent coating.
- Lightly mist the breaded tofu with olive oil spray to enhance crispiness and prevent sticking.
- Arrange the coated tofu slices in a single, uncrowded layer within the air fryer basket to promote uniform cooking.
- Cook for 12-14 minutes, carefully turning the pieces midway through the cooking process to achieve a uniformly golden and crisp exterior.
- Verify doneness by checking for a rich, bronzed color and a crunchy texture that signals perfect preparation.
Notes
- Optimize tofu texture by pressing it thoroughly, using a tofu press or placing a heavy object on paper towels to remove maximum moisture for crispier results.
- Experiment with alternative breading options like cornflake crumbs or gluten-free panko for different dietary needs or crunchy variations.
- Enhance flavor profiles by adding herbs like oregano, thyme, or Italian seasoning to the breading mixture for extra depth and complexity.
- Serve immediately after air frying to maintain maximum crispiness, as the coating can soften if left sitting for too long.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg