Description
This Crispy Air Fryer Tofu recipe offers a quick and healthy way to enjoy perfectly crispy, flavorful tofu without deep frying. Using simple pantry ingredients and an air fryer, the tofu is seasoned, coated in cornstarch, and air fried to golden brown perfection with a crisp exterior and tender inside. Ideal as a snack, salad topping, or addition to bowls and stir-fries, this recipe is vegan, gluten-free (when using tamari), and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu
- 1 block (14 oz) firm tofu, pressed and drained
Seasoning & Coating
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Press and Prepare the Tofu: Press the tofu to remove excess moisture by using a tofu press or wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and placing a heavy object on top. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to drain thoroughly, ensuring a firmer texture for crispiness.
- Cut the Tofu: After pressing, cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes for even cooking and crisping in the air fryer.
- Season the Tofu: In a large mixing bowl, combine the tofu cubes with olive oil, soy sauce or tamari, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, smoked paprika if using, and a pinch of salt. Mix gently to coat all pieces evenly without breaking the tofu.
- Toss to Coat: Gently toss the tofu cubes until all surfaces are thoroughly coated with the seasoning mixture, which helps create the crispy texture when air fried.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking and crispiness right from the start.
- Arrange Tofu in Basket: Place the tofu cubes in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, spacing them slightly apart to allow hot air circulation for maximum crispiness.
- Air Fry the Tofu: Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket or turning the tofu cubes halfway through the cooking time to promote even browning. The tofu should be golden brown and crispy on the outside when done.
- Serve: Enjoy the crispy tofu as a snack or toss it in your favorite sauce like soy sauce, sweet chili, or peanut sauce. It’s also delicious as a topping for salads, grain bowls, or stir-fries.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is essential to remove moisture for crispiness.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
- If you don’t have cornstarch, arrowroot or potato starch can be substituted.
- Shaking or flipping the tofu halfway through cooking helps even browning.
- Adjust the cooking time slightly depending on your air fryer model and desired crispiness.
