• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes
  • Weeknight Recipes
  • About Me
  • Work With Me
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

Naturallie Plant-Based logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Weeknight Recipes
  • About Me
  • Work With Me
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Amazon
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Weeknight Recipes
    • About Me
    • Work With Me
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Amazon
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Lunch & Dinner

    By: Allie Petersen · Dated: December 9, 2022·Last Modified: March 19, 2023 ·Posted Under: 45 Minute Meals, Air Fryer Recipes, Bowls & Stir Fry, Lunch & Dinner,·This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. ·

    Crispy Asian Tofu Buddha Bowl (Air Fryer)

    Share this recipe!

    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Crispy Asian Tofu Buddha Bowl is a healthy, delicious vegan lunch or dinner packed with flavor. Drizzle with a creamy sesame ginger dressing and you have one of the tastiest Buddha Bowls cooked in less than 15 minutes!

    close up of crispy asian tofu bowl with chopsticks

    I have always loved buddha bowls and since I went vegan 6 years ago this has been one of my go-to meals. It's packed with so many healthy ingredients but it also tastes amazing! I know will love love this vegan buddha bowl as much as I do.

    What is a Buddha Bowl?

    A Buddha Bowl is a vegetarian meal served in a high-rimmed bowl with a beautifully plated display of various foods including grain, protein, vegetables, and more. It is thought to be named "Buddha" Bowl because of its balanced display of ingredients similar to a buddhist concept of a balanced life.

    Are Buddha Bowls healthy?

    Buddha Bowls are generally a healthy, balanced vegetarian or vegan meal. Many of the ingredients used in Buddha bowls have high nutritional value including grains (such as quinoa), protein (such as tofu), a variety of vegetables, and a delicious sauce with garnish. The more colors the healthier the Buddha bowl!

    overhead shot of crispy asian tofu buddha bowl

    What is in this crispy asian tofu buddha bowl?

    This buddha bowl contains lots of tasty, healthy ingredients!

    • Grain: Brown Rice
    • Protein: Extra Firm Tofu & Edamame
    • Sides: Avocado, shredded carrot, kale
    • Sauce: Creamy sesame ginger dressing
    • Garnish: Sesame seeds, lemon, cilantro

    Ingredients for Crispy Asian Tofu (Air Fryer)

    Crispy Asian Tofu marinade contains simple ingredients but the sauce is so flavorful. See below about substitutions for gluten-free options.

    ingredients for marinade for crispy asian tofu

    Ingredients for Buddha Bowl

    ingredients for buddha bowl

    How do I make tofu crispy?

    Follow these tips for crispy tofu:

    • Press your tofu for 30 minutes. Yes, truly 30 minutes. Don't skip this step. I made this recipe with tofu that was pressed for 10 min, 20 min, and 30 minutes and the 30 minute pressed tofu was by far the BEST!
    • How to Press Tofu: just get a dishcloth and wrap it around your block of tofu. Place on a plate and then a cutting board (or something flat) on top of the tofu. Then find something heavy (such as a 3-4 cans or a large book) and place on top of the cutting board. Make sure it's stable.
    • Use cornstarch: Not too much, not too little. This coats the tofu and helps the crispy texture.
    • Air fry your tofu. This makes a big difference in the texture of your tofu. You can bake your tofu for a crispy texture but I think the air fryer is bette (see below how to cook tofu if you don't have an air fryer). Stove-top tofu can be crispy but requires a lot of oil.

    How do I make Creamy Sesame Ginger Dressing?

    Follow the recipe here to make this tasty sesame ginger dressing that pairs perfectly with this buddha bowl.

    Can I meal prep this recipe?

    This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Add the tofu buddha bowl ingredients in your compartmentalized glass container. Keep the sauce in a separate container. This recipe could make 4 meal prep lunches or dinners.

    Do I need an air fryer to make this recipe?

    The air fryer is helpful to make tofu but it is not necessary for crispy tofu. To make baked tofu in the oven follow this recipe here:

    1. Press your tofu for 30 minutes and then cut into 1 inch pieces.
    2. Preheat oven to 400F.
    3. Coat in cornstarch and garlic powder mixture (see below for measurements).
    4. On a lined baking sheet, arrange individual tofu pieces so they are not touching and will evenly bake.
    5. Bake for 25-30 minutes and flip halfway through for the crispiest tofu.
    6. Follow instructions below for addition of sauce after baking.
    close up shot of air fried crispy asian tofu

    Substitutions:

    Brown Rice

    You could swap this out for white rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or wild rice mix.

    Kale

    Swap out the kale with another green like spinach, microgreens, romaine, etc.

    Dressing

    If you don't have the ingredients to make this Creamy Sesame Ginger Dressing (Vegan, DF) you can also make a delicious peanut sauce. You can also find pre-made peanut dressing at the grocery store like this one.

    Make this bowl gluten-free

    This bowl is almost gluten-free except for the soy sauce and hoisin sauce. Swap the soy sauce for tamari and use a Tamari Hoisin Sauce .

    Why you'll love this tofu buddha bowl:

    • It's vegan with clean, healthy plant-based ingredients.
    • Easy meal prep for lunch or dinner.
    • The tofu is flavorful, crispy, and one of the best you will have!
    • This recipe is high protein from the tofu and edamame.

    For other great Tofu recipes try out:

    Crispy Teriyaki Tofu

    Crispy Asian Tofu Buddha Bowl (Air Fryer)

    Allie Petersen
    This easy asian tofu buddha is packed with flavor from the crispy asian tofu marinade and creamy sesame ginger dressing.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 25 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine Japanese
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 583 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Crispy Asian Tofu

    • 1 block extra firm tofu
    • 3 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

    Asian Sauce

    • 2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
    • 1.5 tablespoon soy sauce
    • 2 cloves minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
    • 2 teaspoon rice vinegar

    Buddha Bowl

    • 4 cups cooked brown rice =1.5 cups uncooked
    • 2 cups edamame shelled, I purchased mine frozen
    • 1.5 cups carrot shredded
    • 1 avocado
    • 4 cups chopped kale + ½ lemon massaged together*

    Optional toppings

    • Sesame seeds
    • Lemon Slice
    • Cilantro

    Instructions
     

    • Cut your tofu into 1 inch cubes. Place in a gallon size bag with cornstarch and garlic powder. Gently shake until coated.
    • Cook tofu in air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes, shake gently, then air fry for another 5-6 minutes until lightly browned and crispy.
    • Whisk your tofu sauce ingredients together and prep your other buddha bowl sides (cook brown rice, chop kale, shred carrot, etc).
    • In a medium size saucepan over low-medium heat, add in crispy tofu with asian sauce and mix well until tofu is evenly coated.
    • Sauté for 2-3 minutes until sauce caramelizes.
    • Arrange buddha bowl with brown rice, massaged lemon kale, shredded carrot, edamame, avocado, and crispy asian tofu.
    • Drizzle with creamy ginger sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds, cilantro, and fresh lemon if desired.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    How to Massage Kale
    First, make sure there are no stems in your chopped kale. In a large bowl add your kale and ½ lemon juice. Gently massage the kale pieces for 1-2 minutes until kale becomes tender and less stiff. Your kale will taste so much better when it's massaged!
    How to Press Tofu
    Just get a dishcloth and wrap it around your block of tofu. Place on a plate and then a cutting board (or something flat) on top of the tofu. Then find something heavy (such as a 3-4 cans or a large book) and place on top of the cutting board. Make sure it's stable. Press for tofu for about 30 minutes for best results. 
     
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 583kcalCarbohydrates: 90gProtein: 24gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0.2mgSodium: 645mgPotassium: 1345mgFiber: 15gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 14786IUVitamin C: 71mgCalcium: 315mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword air fryer tofu buddha bowl, asian buddha bowl, tofu buddha bowl
    Tried this recipe?Comment below & tag @naturallieplantbased on Instagram!

    « Creamy Chana Masala with Coconut Milk
    Crispy Asian Tofu (Easy Air Fryer Recipe) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Miranda says

      December 15, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      5 stars
      The sauce on the tofu is amazing !!

      Reply
    2. Kate Milardovic says

      January 23, 2023 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      Highly recommend this delicious recipe. The tofu was so crispy, and the sauce delicious. This will definitely be enjoyed on repeat.

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Crispy Asian Air-Fried Tofu - Naturallie Plant Based says:
      December 9, 2022 at 5:29 pm

      […] source for a plant-based, vegan, or vegetarian diet and this Asian tofu pairs perfectly with my Crispy Asian Tofu Buddha Bowl or on top of rice, stir-fried veggies, or […]

      Reply
    2. Creamy Sesame Ginger Dressing (Vegan, Dairy-Free) - Naturallie Plant Based says:
      December 10, 2022 at 6:58 am

      […] vegan sesame ginger dressing is amazing on buddha bowls (such as my Crispy Asian Tofu Buddha Bowl seen below), drizzled on salads, stir frys, or other asian noodle dishes. I highly recommend trying […]

      Reply
    3. 17 Healthy Vegan Recipes for Veganuary - Naturallie Plant-Based says:
      January 1, 2023 at 9:15 am

      […] 1. Crispy Asian Tofu Buddha Bowl (Air Fryer) […]

      Reply

    Leave a comment (I love to hear from you!) Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Allie! I'm so glad you're here! I'm a plant-based recipe creator, food photographer, and popcorn lover. Here you will find quick healthy vegan recipes that are perfect for the busy individual!

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Healthy Blueberry Crisp Granola Bars
    • 20+ Vegan Pasta Salads (Perfect for Summer!)
    • 30+ Vegan Memorial Day Recipes
    • tofu pasta salad with strawberries and balsamic
      Strawberry Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad (Vegan)

    Trending Recipes

    • Miso Dumpling Soup (15 Minutes)
    • This is a photo of the curry with a piece of naan, rice, and a lime.
      The Best Vegan Red Lentil Sweet Potato Curry
    • Fluffy Vegan Coffee Cake Muffins
    • Crispy Asian Tofu (Easy Air Fryer Recipe)

    Recently Updated

    • The Best Sticky Tofu with Sweet Chili Sauce
    • This is a photo of no bake peanut butter energy balls in a bowl.
      No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls
    • Chewy & Soft Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
    • Energizing Kale Beet Smoothie

    Footer

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    Contact

    Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme