This air fryer tofu recipe will give you crispy tofu in just minutes! Add to your favorite salads and stir fries, serve as an appetizer, or make it a main dish.
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Even though tofu is a naturally soft and moisture-filled ingredient, it seems that everyone wants to make it crispy.
I've already shared my favorite way to make crispy fried tofu, but there's a new favorite in town! The air fryer is one of the fastest, easiest ways to get super crispy tofu without using cornstarch.
Air frying is kind of like pan frying or deep frying, except you're not cooking your food in a bunch of oil. Instead, hot air is circulated around the food to make it just as crispy and delicious as it would be straight out of a traditional fryer.
This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free if using tamari (double check your spices), making it suitable for a lot of different people and diets. Let me show you how to do it!
Ingredients
- Extra firm tofu
- Tamari or soy sauce
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
How to make air fryer tofu
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF.
- Drizzle tofu cubes with tamari, olive oil, and garlic powder. Toss with your hands or a spoon to coat.
- Add the tofu to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir or shake the pan and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Top tips
What kind of tofu to use for air fryer tofu
I recommend using extra firm tofu to make air fryer crispy tofu. Anything softer will not get as crisp and may even fall apart and crumble when cooking.
How to press tofu
Pressing tofu is easy. You can press tofu with a press, or press tofu without a press.
All presses vary in their design. The one I use has screws to tighten the plates together. Continue to tighten your press every few minutes if necessary until the flow of liquid slows or stops, roughly 15-30 minutes.
To press tofu without a press, stack the block of tofu between several paper towels on a plate and place something heavy on top to squeeze the water out for 15-30 minutes.
You can press the tofu a little or a lot, it's up to you. The tofu should feel firm and look drier than when you started.
How to cut tofu for air fryer tofu
You can cut the tofu however you'd like to cook it in the air fryer, but small cubes will give you the crispiest result. I like to cut the block of tofu in half like a book, then cut each slab into fourths the long way. From there, cut each long strip into an even cube.
Don't crowd the air fryer
An air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food. If your tofu cubes are too close or are touching, they won't get crispy on that side.
My air fryer was big enough to cook the entire package of tofu without the individual pieces touching each other, but if you need to, work in batches.
How to store
Air fryer tofu is best enjoyed soon after cooking, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will lose most of its crispiness in the refrigerator, but you can reheat it in the air fryer to make it a little crispy again.
You can also freeze this recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Keep in mind that freezing may change the texture of the tofu.
The best air fryer
I've had the Ninja Foodi (affiliate link) for years, which has several functions including air frying and grilling. I find it works really well but is a bit bulky for a kitchen appliance.
If you prefer a more affordable appliance that only air fries, I would recommend Ninja's 4qt Air Fryer or this Corosi Air Fryer. Keep in mind that all appliances vary, and you may need to adjust your cooking temperature or time.
Use a light marinade
I've included instructions for a basic tofu marinade, but you could also use my best tofu marinade to make this air fryer tofu recipe. I recommend staying away from thick or heavy marinades in this case because it would interfere with making the tofu crispy.
The secrets to tofu success
If tofu just feels too intimidating, I have a free 4 day crash course all about cooking tofu successfully. Don't be scared, let me hold your hand through picking out the right kind of tofu, pressing, marinating, and cooking!
Tips for customizing
- Adjust the flavorings to your taste and what you have on hand (more or less tamari, olive oil, garlic powder)
- Skip the oil altogether for an oil free recipe
- Add a pinch of salt before air frying
- Drizzle with a little sriracha when marinating for a spicy version
- Toss with your favorite store bought sauce after cooking, such as bbq sauce, sweet and sour, gochujang, or even chili crisp
FAQ
Yes, tofu is delicious in the air fryer. The inside stays tender while the outside gets crispy. Technically it isn't "fried", it's "air fried"!
Yes, I definitely recommend pressing your tofu before air frying. If you don't press your tofu it will likely be too squishy at the end.
When I was testing this recipe I tried adding cornstarch a few times because that's how I get my crispy tofu to have such a great, crisp coating. Unfortunately, it did not work in the air fryer, and I actually got it much crispier without the cornstarch.
Using cornstarch on air fried tofu left it powdery and bland. I do not recommend using it.
More air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Frozen Curly Fries in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Loaded Air Fryer Waffle Fries
- Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
- Air Fryer Home Fries
More tofu recipes
- Pesto Tofu
- Scrambled Tofu
- BBQ Tofu
- Kung Pao Tofu
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Thai Tofu Sauce
- Balsamic Tofu
- The Best Marinated Tofu Recipe
- Crispy Fried Tofu
- Cajun Tofu
- Crispy Peanut Tofu
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Air Fryer Tofu
Ingredients
- 14 ounces extra firm tofu, drained, pressed, and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF.
- Drizzle tofu cubes with tamari, olive oil, and garlic powder. Toss with your hands or a spoon to coat.
- Add the tofu to the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Stir or shake the pan and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Notes
Tips for customizing
- Adjust the flavorings to your taste and what you have on hand (more or less tamari, olive oil, garlic powder)
- Skip the oil altogether for an oil free recipe
- Add a pinch of salt before air frying
- Drizzle with a little sriracha when marinating for a spicy version
- Toss with your favorite store bought sauce after cooking, such as bbq sauce, sweet and sour, gochujang, or even chili crisp
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