This teriyaki broccoli tofu bowl is a quick and healthy vegan meal made with crispy air-fried broccoli and tofu — or cauliflower if you prefer — all drizzled with a sticky homemade glaze. Whether you’re eating keto, soy-free, or just want a bold, plant-based dinner, this recipe gives you flexible options to suit your needs. The base version is not keto or soy-free, but both variations are fully covered using tested swaps. No mirin or sake needed — just pantry basics and full flavor.
Teriyaki broccoli and cauliflower bowl served with kimchi, sesame, and nori – a soy-free variation.
Why I Love This Teriyaki Broccoli Tofu Bowl
This bowl started as a way to use up leftover teriyaki glaze and some extra broccoli. My kids love the roasted cauliflower version with no kimchi, while I often use whatever veg or protein I have on hand. It’s fast, flexible, and packed with flavor – perfect for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Broccoli Tofu Bowl
Ready in under 15 minutes
Versatile: air fryer, oven, or any cooking method you prefer
Includes soy-free, gluten-free, and keto-friendly options
Great for meal prep or lunchboxes
Uses pantry teriyaki glaze – no sake or mirin required
Reader-tested oven and air fryer instructions for best results
What You’ll Need for Teriyaki Broccoli Tofu Bowl
Choose tofu or cauliflower as your base — both pair beautifully with this sauce.
Ingredients for a teriyaki broccoli tofu bowl, including tofu, broccoli, kimchi, nori, sesame seeds, and pantry-friendly teriyaki sauce.
1.Make the Sauce Prepare the teriyaki sauce and reduce it in a small saucepan until slightly thickened. Set aside.
Start by combining all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
As the sauce simmers, bubbles become larger and the glaze begins to thicken slightly.
The sauce is ready when glossy, syrupy, and reduced to about 180g. Let cool slightly to thicken more.
2. Prep the Broccoli Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Soak briefly in hot water (about 1 minute), then drain well.
“Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets to ensure even cooking and crispy edges in the airfryer or oven.”
Slice broccoli into evenly sized florets to ensure they cook uniformly and crisp up in the airfryer or oven.
After slicing, lay out the broccoli florets evenly for airfrying or roasting. Dry surface = better browning.
3. Cook the Broccoli Place the broccoli in the air fryer at 170°C (340°F) and cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add the Tofu Add store-bought fried tofu to the air fryer with the broccoli. Cook together for another 2 minutes to heat through. (Oven method: Bake at 200°C/390°F fan — broccoli for 10 minutes, add tofu for the last 5 minutes.)
Add tofu to the airfryer during the final minutes of broccoli cooking to heat through and crisp up.
4. Assemble the Teriyaki Broccoli Tofu Bowl Start with a base of warm rice (or cauliflower rice for keto). Add the cooked broccoli and tofu.
Add freshly cooked rice to the bowl as the base layer for your teriyaki broccoli tofu. Fluff gently with a rice paddle before serving.
Layer crispy tofu cubes over freshly steamed rice to begin building your teriyaki broccoli tofu bowl.
Add the crispy broccoli over the tofu and rice to complete the main toppings before adding sauce and garnishes.
All main components added: rice, tofu, broccoli, and kimchi. Ready for drizzling with teriyaki sauce and final garnishes.
Finish the bowl with a generous drizzle of sticky teriyaki sauce for bold, glossy flavor.
A crispy teriyaki broccoli tofu bowl served on rice with kimchi and nori. Quick, vegan, and made with pantry sauce in the airfryer or oven.
6. Add Sauce & Garnish Drizzle with teriyaki sauce. Top with kimchi, sesame seeds, sliced scallions, and nori strips.
Cooking Time Guide
Ingredient
Airfryer (170°C)
Oven (200°C Fan)
Broccoli
7 minutes
14 minutes
Cauliflower
9 minutes
18 minutes
Tofu
2 minutes
4 minutes
Broccoli topped with soy-free keto teriyaki glaze, fried shallots, and sesame
Teriyaki broccoli and cauliflower bowl served with kimchi, sesame, and nori – a soy-free variation.
💡 For best color, use the oven. For speed, use the air fryer – especially in small batches. Large amounts work better in the oven since the air fryer needs stirring when stacked.
🩺 Dietary Modifications for Teriyaki broccoli tofu bowl
This Teriyaki Broccoli Tofu Bowl has quickly become one of my go-to meals — it’s fast, flavorful, and incredibly flexible. Whether I have tofu or cauliflower on hand, it comes together in under 15 minutes with just a few pantry staples and no need for mirin or sake.
What I really like about this dish is how easily it adapts. You can keep it gluten-free, go soy-free, or make it keto with cauliflower rice — and the sauce still delivers that rich, glossy teriyaki flavor. I cover all those variations in my Ultimate Teriyaki Sauce Guide, so anyone can make this bowl work for them.
The crispy edges from the air fryer or oven give the vegetables so much texture, and the thick glaze adds depth without feeling heavy. My kids love the cauliflower version with no kimchi, while I often mix in both tofu and broccoli for a balanced, satisfying bowl.
It also keeps well for meal prep — just store the components separately and assemble when you’re ready. With leftover rice, it’s an easy lunch or weeknight dinner that always hits the spot.
Give this Teriyaki Broccoli Tofu bowl a try, and make it your own. I’d love to see your version — tag me or leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
Teriyaki Broccoli Tofu Bowl
Crispy tofu and air-fried broccoli glazed in bold pantry teriyaki sauce. Served with rice, kimchi, scallions, sesame seeds, and seaweed for a quick and satisfying Japanese-inspired meal. Includes keto and soy-free variation notes.
50gGolden syrupLight corn syrup with pinch of brown sugar for substitute or honey
65g Caster sugar
Bowl
100gBroccoli florets only
8gOlive oil or neutral oil
8pieces Fried tofustore-bought,
60gKimchi
200gCooked Rice cauliflower rice
1sheetNori cut into square or stripsOptional
scallions sliced for optional
1tbspToasted sesame seed optional
Instructions
1. Make the teriyaki glaze In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, water, and golden syrup (or substitute). Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat until reduced to about 180g. The glaze should be thick and glossy (about 4–5 minutes).
2. Prep the broccoli Cut broccoli into small florets. Toss with olive oil and a pinch of salt.
3.Air fry the broccoli Air fry at 340°F (170°C) for 5-8 minutes, shaking halfway, until browned and tender. Add tofu cook for 2 more minutes. Alternatively, roast in a fan-forced oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-15 minutes. Then add tofu and cook for 4 more minutes.
4. Assemble the bowls Spoon rice into bowls. Top with broccoli and tofu. Add kimchi, then drizzle sauce over tofu and broccoli. Garnish with sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds, and pieces of roasted seaweed. Serve right away.
Notes
Soy-free, keto, and other dietary Teriyaki sauce options are fully tested in my Ultimate Teriyaki Sauce Guide — including versions made without soy, sugar, or mirin.
Make-ahead tip: You can prep the glaze and veggies in advance. For best texture, store the tofu and sauce separately and toss just before serving.
Cauliflower variation: You can add or substitute with cauliflower florets — cook them the same way as the broccoli but Just cook it longer.
No air fryer or oven needed: Just boil the broccoli and microwave the tofu to warm it up — fast and low-effort.
👉 Thanks for visiting! If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @seasonedwithflavor — it makes my day!
👉 Want to master teriyaki? Check out my Ultimate Teriyaki Sauce Guide for variations, including gluten-free, keto-friendly, and budget options!
I’m Kenji Okuda, a chef, dad, and recipe creator behind Seasoned with Flavor. I share chef-tested recipes for real-life home cooking, with practical tips, flexible swaps, and flavours inspired by my Japanese background, global cooking experience, and family life.