This recipe is sponsored by EZ Tofu Press. All opinions are 100% my own.
Lemony, garlicky Air Fryer Tofu cooks up quickly and is a perfect Mother’s Day brunch recipe tossed into Instant Pot Quinoa Pilaf with leeks and green peas.
Can you believe that Mother’s Day is coming up already? My mom is coming up to visit us this year for Mother’s Day, so I want to make her something extra special.
My mom and step-dad are both trying to eat more plant-based foods, and I can’t wait to make this flavorful tofu and Instant Pot quinoa pilaf for her!
How to Make Quinoa Pilaf in the Instant Pot
If you’ve never made Instant Pot quinoa pilaf before, you are in for such a treat! It’s super easy, and you don’t have to stand over the stove to do it. Pilaf is just a grain cooked in broth with vegetables mixed in. Here are the basics for a build-your-own Instant Pot Quinoa Pilaf recipe:
- Saute your hard veggies (onions, garlic, leeks, carrots, etc) with a little bit of oil or broth in the Instant Pot.
- Add 1 cup quinoa and 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth to the Instant Pot, and lock the lid.
- Cook for 5 minutes with a natural release.
- Add any quick-cooking veggies to the pot, lock the lid, and cook for 1-2 more minutes with a quick release.
So simple! And so good with Lemon-Garlic Air Fryer Tofu tossed in!
That Tofu, Though
Like with any marinated tofu recipe, you should not skip pressing your tofu when you’re making the air fryer tofu portion of this dish. I use my EZ Tofu Press to press my tofu quickly and evenly.
Tofu tastes like whatever sauce or marinade you cook it in, and pressing ups the ante in this department. Getting the excess water out of your tofu turns it into a flavor sponge, so it’s ready to drink in that tasty marinade goodness.
The EZ Tofu Press gets the liquid out of your tofu quickly and evenly.
Once it’s pressed, you slice into pieces and marinate your tofu in lemon-garlic sauce, then air fry. The citrusy tofu gets a nice, chewy texture in the air fryer. YUM.
Air Fryer Lemon-Garlic Tofu with Instant Pot Quinoa Pilaf with Spring Peas and Leeks
Ingredients
For the Instant Pot Quinoa Pilaf
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 leek - light green and white parts only, washed well and sliced into thin rounds
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup green peas - fresh or frozen
For the Air Fryer Lemon-Garlic Tofu
- 2 lemons - zested and juiced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- sea salt and white pepper - to taste
- 1 block extra firm tofu - pressed and sliced into 1/2" pieces
Instructions
Make the Instant Pot Quinoa Pilaf
- Use the saute function on your Instant Pot to heat the oil. Saute the leeks, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until they soften.
- Add the quinoa and saute for another minute, stirring.
- Add the vegetable broth, and lock the lid of your Instant Pot. Bring to high pressure for 5 minutes, then use a natural release, about 15 minutes.
- Add the peas to the instant pot, and bring to pressure for 2 minutes, then do a quick release.
Make the Air Fryer Lemon-Garlic Tofu
- Arrange the tofu in a shallow dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the marinade over the tofu, and set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the tofu to your air fryer basket, and reserve the leftover marinade. Air fry for 15 minutes at 370F, shaking the basket 8 minutes into the cooking time.
To Serve
- In a large bowl, toss together the cooked Quinoa Pilaf with the Air Fryer Lemon-Garlic Tofu. Serve warm or cold.
Notes
- Marinate the tofu while you prep the ingredients for the Quinoa Pilaf.
- While the tofu finishes marinating, saute the leeks and garlic in the Instant Pot.
- When you add the broth to the pot, start your tofu cooking in the air fryer.
Nutrition
Colleen
I am surprised by your recipe as when I do quinoa in the instant pot I usually do 2 cups of quinoa with 3 cups of water for 1 minute and release the pressure after 10 minutes. I will have to try this – it looks delicious.
Becky Striepe
Yes, I’ve heard 1 minute in some Instant Pot groups, also! I think it depends on what texture you’re going for. I like the 2:1 for 5 minutes, but it’s all about personal preference. 🙂
Jasmine
I love that tofu press! I’ve never tried it, looks neat!
Becky Striepe
It is really handy!
Uma
I love both Tofu and Quinoa. This dish is perfect for me and my family:)
Becky Striepe
Enjoy it, Uma!
Karen D
Making raised donuts with my mother. She died when I was 11.
Becky Striepe
Oh my gosh, I am sorry, Karen.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I miss being able to eat tofu! I had some fun recipe for it and always wanted a press…but I hacked it and just used heavy plates and books 😉
Becky Striepe
I used to do that, too! It definitely works, if you have the patience.
Alexandra
Love using my air fryer. I need to try this tofu! It sounds awesome. My favorite childhood food memory is trying my aunt’s potato salad for the first time. It was so tangy and delicious and to this day is ny favorite food she ever made.
Becky Striepe
Oh man, nothing beats a good potato salad.
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy
Oh i’m loving this recipe!!! I have yet to try an air-fryer!! Love this simple quinoa dish!
Becky Striepe
Thank you!
Jenn
Totally my kind of meal! Anything with yummy tofu. And we eat so much quinoa around here too. Love everything about this!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Jenn!
Mel |avirtualvegan.com
What lovely flavours and I love that it can be done so quickly and easily in an air fryer!
Becky Striepe
Thank you, Mel!
Sarah, Vegan Chickpea
What a fun post! I’ve been wanting an EZ Press for years now… hope I win! 😉
My favorite childhood food memory… well there are hundreds, LOL! But if I have to pick one, I always enjoyed decorating cookies at Christmas time.
Becky Striepe
Aw I loved that, too!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
When I was a kid, I loved it when my mom made stir fry. I would sneak pea pods and red bell pepper off the cutting board to munch on.
Becky Striepe
Oh my gosh, I used to do that, too!
Dianne
Can I come over, too? 🙂 I love that you were able to make this amazing meal without turning on the oven. Appliance cooking for the win!
Becky Striepe
The best, especially with warmer weather here!
Mary Ellen | VNutrition
This looks so easy! I bet my mom would love it for Mother’s Day too!
Becky Striepe
It really is. More time to have wine and chat with mom!
Nicole Dawson
I just love my EZ-Tofu Press! I’m so glad I finally bought one. Next on my list is the air fryer. I’ll just have to keep “pinning” your recipes for when I get it.
Becky Striepe
You’d love it, Nicole!
Ginny
Double the protein! Love this so much and I WANT that EZ tofu press!
Becky Striepe
It’s super handy!
Linda weinberger
The recipe looks great. I wish I had an air fryer. My husband thinks I have too many kitchen appliances already. I love my Vitamix, instant pot and hopefully some day I will have an air fryer. I love to cook
Becky Striepe
I hear ya! Every time I want a new gadget now, we have a family meeting in the kitchen to find a spot for it first.