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Sisig Tofu - Air Fryer

Sisig Tofu in the Air Fryer is my no-meat, greaseless version of the popular Filipino dish pork sisig. In place of meat, I used extra firm tofu, cooked to a crisp in the Air Fryer. To make this appealing, I used the same flavors for the sisig sauce which Filipinos enjoy : Citrusy, salty and spicy. This is an Asian in America recipe by Elizabeth Ann Quirino. Serves 2 to 4 as an appetizer, side or main dish.
*Cooking time below is for the Air Fryer. I also shared how to cook this on the stovetop.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Filipino
Keyword: Sisig Tofu - Air Fryer
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 295kcal
Author: Asian in America - Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cast iron skillet

Ingredients

For marinade:

  • 1 cup toyo (soy sauce)
  • ¼ cup calamansi juice (or use lemon)

For Sisig Tofu

  • 1 block (16 oz.) Extra firm Tofu, cut into 2-inch square cubes
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, to coat tofu
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 whole white or red onion, sliced
  • ½ of a whole red bell pepper, sliced, seeded
  • 2 stalks scallions, chopped
  • 2 pieces siling labuyo (bird's eye chilies)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

For stovetop cooking:

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil, if deep frying tofu instead of using Air Fryer

Instructions

To marinate tofu:

  • In a medium-sized bowl, combine the soy sauce and calamansi juice.
    Cut up the tofu into 2-inch sized cubes. Soak the cubes in the marinade for 15 minutes. Do not soak longer than this.
    After 15 minutes, drain and reserve the marinade liquid.
    Pat dry the tofu cubes with paper towels.

To cook tofu in the Air Fryer:

  • In a small bowl, combine the flour and garlic powder.
    Coat and dredge the tofu cubes with the flour mixture.
  • Using a fork or a pair of tongs, place the tofu cubes inside the Air Fryer basket.
    Line the cubes parallel to each other. Do NOT overlap or they won't be crunchy.
    *If cubes do not fit all at once, divide the tofu and cook in batches in the Air Fryer.
  • Fry tofu cubes in the Air Fryer at 400 F for 13 to 15 minutes.
    When done, drain the tofu cubes on parchment paper or paper towels.

To make the Sisig sauce:

  • In a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat, pour the vegetable oil.
    When oil is hot enough in 1 to 2 minutes, saute the garlic, onions, bell peppers.
    Pour the reserved marinade of calamansi - soy sauce.
    Add the chopped bird's eye chilies, red pepper flakes, and scallions.
    Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Add the Sisig Tofu which was cooked in the Air Fryer.
    Spoon some of the sauce over the tofu cubes.
    Serve hot and sizzling.

To cook Sisig Tofu stovetop:

  • Cut the tofu in 2-inch cubes. Marinate in a bowl with soy sauce and calamansi for 15 minutes.
    Drain and reserve the marinade liquid. Pat dry the tofu with paper towels.
  • Coat the tofu cubes with a mixture of flour and garlic powder. Set aside.
    In a skillet, over medium-high heat, pour the 1/4 cup vegetable oil. When oil is hot, deep-fry the coated tofu cubes for 6 to 8 minutes on each side. Gently turn them around once to fry evenly.
    Drain the tofu cubes on parchment paper or paper towels. Set aside.
  • Discard the excess oil from the skillet. Leave only 2 tablespoons to saute the sauce.
    Over medium heat, saute the garlic, onions, red peppers, scallions, bird's eye chillies. Pour the calamansi-soy sauce marinade. Season with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Simmer for 2 minutes.
    Return the fried tofu to the skillet. Simmer for 1 minutes. Serve sizzling.

Cook's comments:

  • I mentioned differences in Air Fryer brands in a past blog post. Read it here.
    Use only EXTRA FIRM Tofu. Do not cut the tofu smaller than 2-inch cubes or it crumbles when cooking.
    Adjust spice level to your preferences by adding or omitting chilies or red pepper flakes according to taste.
    For a Filipino Pork Sisig recipe, click here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg