Air Fryer Balsamic Tofu & Brussels Sprouts Bowl
This Air Fryer Balsamic Tofu & Brussels Sprouts Bowl is an easy and healthy, vegan and gluten free dinner bursting with tangy, sweet flavor! This recipe yields crispy tofu, perfectly charred brussels sprouts and steamed white rice...all coated in a sticky, balsamic sauce. It's filled with plant-based protein, fiber, and carbs for a well-rounded meal. Add this recipe to your meatless Monday rotation!
Equipment
- tofu press (or a heavy object)
- Ninja Combi (or air fryer)
- small pot
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 lb extra firm tofu *
- 12 oz brussels sprouts ends trimmed & halved
- 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup dry white rice
- 2 cups water
For the Balsamic Sauce:
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos **
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
- salt + pepper to taste
For Topping (Optional)
- chopped green onion
Instructions
- Press your tofu for 15-20 minutes, either using a tofu press or by wrapping the block of tofu in a towel/paper towel and placing a heavy object on top (such as a cast iron pan). Then, cut the tofu into about 1inch cubes.
- Add the tofu to a large bowl along with the cornstarch, half of the olive oil, and salt & pepper. Gently toss with your hands (or tongs) until fully coated.
- Spread tofu out onto the Ninja Combi air fryer tray, leaving room for the brussels sprouts. Then, add brussels sprouts and toss with the remaining olive oil and salt + pepper. It'll be tight to fit everything on there, but it'll work!
- Place the tray with the tofu & brussels sprouts into Level 1 of your Ninja Combi. Then, add rinsed rice and water to the Combi Pan and place it into Level 2 of your Ninja Combi.
- Set it to the "Combi Meals" function with the temperature at 350F for 15 minutes. If you want maximum crispiness on all sides of the tofu, feel free to flip everything at the halfway point - I usually don't because I'm lazy lol!
- While that is cooking, add balsamic, coconut aminos, garlic, dijon, maple syrup/honey and salt & pepper to a small pot and whisk together. Bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium low and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the balsamic is thick and reduced (about 15-20 minutes).
- Toss the cooked tofu and brussels sprouts with the reduced balsamic sauce. Serve over the white rice and top with chopped green onion, if desired!
Video
Notes
*NOTE: I like using the high protein tofu from Trader Joe's. It's the most firm type of tofu so it holds up better and has a more pleasant texture. **NOTE: Coconut aminos are a gluten free, soy free, soy sauce alternative. I wouldn't recommend substituting this for soy sauce or tamari because it will be much saltier and less sweet. If you want to try it though, you should increase the amount of maple syrup/honey to compensate for the loss of sweetness. GENERAL NOTE: The balsamic sauce will reduce down to a very small amount as it simmers. If you'd like an even saucier, stickier tofu and brussels sprouts, double all of the balsamic sauce ingredients. HOW TO MAKE THIS IN THE AIR FRYER: If you don't have a Ninja Combi, you can make this in a normal air fryer instead. If your air fryer is big enough, add the tofu and brussels sprouts to it and then air fry at 400F for 15-18 minutes, flipping the brussels sprouts halfway if you'd like. If your air fryer is smaller, you will likely have to do this in batches. Of course if you're using a normal air fryer, you will also have to cook the rice separately in a small pot, according to package directions.
Nutrition
Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 306mg | Potassium: 608mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 643IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 3mg