Yield: 10 balls (approx.)
AIR FRIED TOFU BALLS, WITH ZA'ATAR GRANOLA
Making tofu balls has never been so easy. Enjoy the crunch and flavor of these simple yet satisfying air-fried or baked tofu balls. Soft from the inside and crispy from the outside, they are delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 firm (or extra firm) tofu block (340 gr.)
- ½ cup Za'atar granola or any other granola (50 gr.), (for the mixture and for coating)
- 1 young onion (scallion), cut into tiny pieces
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
- 1-2 tsp cayenne pepper (if you like it spicy) or paprika doux
- Fresh time, (optional)
- Himalayan salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
- 1 small blender
- 1 Air fryer (or oven, see above instructions)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer for 4 minutes to 180 C.
- Add ½ cup of granola into a small blender and pulse until you reach a medium fine flour (if you blend too much you will end up with a nut butter consistency). Set aside.
- Open the tofu container (throw the water away or keep it for your smoothie) and using your hands, break up your tofu block into 8-10 pieces. Using a cheese cloth or a nut milk bag, squeeze it firmly (the tofu will continue to break down) and remove as much water as possible from the tofu (again throw the water away or keep for another recipe).
- Add crumbly tofu into a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Chop young onion (scallion) into small and tiny pieces and add to the tofu bowl.
- Grate garlic clove and add it to the tofu mixture along with 1 tbsp granola flour, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, fresh time (optional), salt and pepper . Using a spatula first, mix it all together and if needed, use your hands to squeeze the tofu and other ingredients together. Finally, using a spoon, press tightly and strongly the sticky mixture to the bottom of the bowl.
- To make balls : (1) Take a large tablespoon of tofu mixture and press it firmly into your palm with one hand until it begins to hold together. (2) You can use a metal spoon to press the mixture into your hand a few times, which will help it stick and form a ball shape. (3) While shaping, make sure to squeeze the mixture a few extra times to ensure it sticks together well. Repeat the process. (4) Keep in mind that the balls don’t need to be perfectly round. We aim for medium-sized, slightly uneven balls with a rustic/homemade look.
- Once you’ve finished forming the tofu balls, add the leftover granola flour to a shallow plate. Gently toss the tofu balls in the granola flour to coat them evenly.
- Bake them in the air fryer using an air fryer paper for 20-25 minutes or until golden crisp. Check halfway through and you can turn them over gently. Finally, add 2 extra minutes at 190 C in the air fryer for an extra crisp.
- Enjoy straight away with brown rice or quinoa, a Tahini or peanut sauce and some raw cucumber and radishes. Or let it cool down and keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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